I bit back a laugh as Mom followed after her own mother.
“That’s not even right, Mom. You’re all confused. And that’s why I’m not letting you travel. Alone.”
Their cheers from the living room about traveling together were adorable, but I had things to plan. I wanted the Fourth to be amazing for the kids. Like the way Dad had made it amazing for me growing up.
I rested my hand over my stomach and tried to stay calm. I had a few days until I’d see the guys again. I needed to gather my wits and figure out how I was going to tell them I was with child, especially after telling them that I couldn’t get pregnant. I was nervous about their response. I knew how I felt and how I thought they felt, but I still wasn’t sure. Maybe the media response had scared them away from wanting to be with me.
I hadn’t gotten that impression from Griff, though. I could hear the desperation in his voice. I wanted to make that all better. I wanted to make everything all better. That included myown hang-ups. So, reaching out to the therapist I’d seen for years when I was younger, I made an appointment.
Waiting was hard. I grew more and more nervous the closer the moment came to seeing them. My morning sickness didn’t let up, and I was so tired. The morning of the Fourth, none of that mattered, though. I got dressed in a bikini with a pair of ripped-up jeans shorts and an oversized T-shirt over it. I did my hair and applied a little makeup to the bags under my eyes, and then I waited on Mom and Granny Lane to finish getting ready.
Finally, after what felt like forever, we were in the car, driving towards Southampton. With my heart in my throat, I figured it all rode on that day. I’d see how the guys reacted to me, my family, and then, the news of the baby. I’d see where I stood with them.
I had to stop on the way to throw up on the side of the road, but I wasn’t sure if that was the nerves or the baby. Either way, Granny Lane shoved a bottle of mouthwash at me and told me no one was going to give me twenty million with vomit mouth.
Chapter 37
***Autumn***
The beach house was already buzzing with energy when we pulled into the driveway. There were people setting up games in the sand, a rental company rolling out a big grill, and other deliveries happening all over the place. I took Mom and Granny Lane’s hands and pulled them to the front door.
It felt awkward to ring the bell, but I did it anyway. Standing there, I glanced over at Mom and forced a smile. “Here goes nothing, right?”
Before she could answer, the door opened, and Zeke stood there, looking as handsome as ever while looking down at a sheet of paper. “Just put whatever you’re dropping off wherever it goes.”
Granny Lane whistled and fanned herself. “Holy shit. The pictures do not do him justice. Honestly, I’m only surprised you didn’t jump his bones faster.”
Zeke’s face jerked up and his eyes went wide when he spotted me. Dropping his paperwork, he reached out and yanked me into his chest. The familiar scent of him washed over me, and I fought to hold back tears. Zeke stroked my hair and only pulled back to look at my face. “You don’t get to leave again. I’ve been miserable. I missed you more than I thought it was possible to miss another person. Everyone here sucks without you. I—”
“You were worried, baby-cakes?” Granny Lane laughed. “He’s head over heels in love with you, you shit. All this build-up for the first guy to just fall all over you. I at least expected a little bit of drama.”
Zeke actually blushed as he stepped back and looked over the women with me. “Autumn?”
I smiled up at him, just so happy to be near him again. “This is my Granny Lane. She’s...bold. And this is my mom, Ruth.”
He straightened and ran a hand through his messy hair. “Oh, hi! It’s nice to meet you. I’m Zeke. Ezekiel. Um, very nice to meet you.”
Mom pulled him into a hug and lightly shook him back and forth. “Oh, you sweet thing! It’s so nice to meet you, too. You’re clearly the handsome one, too. Look at you!”
A high-pitched squeal rang out, and Zeke grunted as Caroline shoved her way to me. “Autumn! I missed you so much! I have so much to tell you. Sir Fluffy Butt won’t wear his clothes when you’re not the one dressing him. And Jones is hiding in his room all the time. It’s boring without you. Daddy tries, but he’s sad.”
“Wow, she’s a lot.” Granny Lane took Zeke’s arm and walked him into the house. “So. Let me tell you about this bet I made with my granddaughter.”
I scooped Caroline into my arms and rushed after them. “Granny Lane, if you tell that story before I’m ready for you to, you can kiss Sandals and every other beach with white sand goodbye. I’ll put you in a home in Jersey, overlooking a fish processing plant.”
She scoffed at me. “You’re awful to me.”
“Autumn’s here! Daddy, Autumn’s here!” Grace’s sweet little voice called out, and then she was in my arms, too, telling me all about what she’d been up to.
Con was right behind her, his face pinched with worry as he looked at me. “Autumn.”
I put both girls down and went to him. I closed my eyes and sighed as he held me and pressed his lips to the side of my head.
“I’m so fucking sorry, Auti. I’ve missed you so much. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Later. We have time to talk later. Right now, I want you to meet my Mom, Ruth, and my Granny Lane.” I moved tointroduce him to them, but two big arms wrapped around me from behind and picked me up. Griff.
He held me against his chest and let out a low growl that radiated happiness through my entire being. “Sorry to interrupt, but Autumn is needed in my office.”
