Page 40 of Rowdy & Kat

Soon, our routine would move to Little Memphis, where I’d try to merge my rowdy side with my new domesticated role.

KAT

Bebe and Pax had become a fixture at the townhouse. As much as they missed their home, they wanted to experience the boys’ first few weeks.

Bebe helped so much around the house that I didn’t suffer from the normal new mom exhaustion. Rowdy insisted we get into bed by nine each night. He also napped with me in the afternoon when the boys went down. In fact, every day, from one to four, the house fell silent with everyone resting.

When Ford Reed visited, Pax refused to admit the napping to his older brother.

“I stay awake and keep guard,” Pax told Ford, who rolled his eyes. “I can see why you’d need to nap, though, on account of your age.”

Rowdy had warned me about his father’s competitive nature with Ford. Despite their bickering, the brothers remained best friends. I watched Pax and Ford taunt each other about their grandsons’ looks and dick sizes. Having spent most of my time around women, I found the men fascinating. Would Cavan and Colson poke at each other in the same way one day?

Shay and Bebe exuded an ease with each other that came from being friends for decades. They could share a look from across the room that held as much meaning as a complete conversation. Maria and I often used the same trick at work.

The enormity of so many new people in our lives left Maria overly quiet and me frequently crying.

“My hormones were all over the place after each of my kids,” Bebe said, and Shay nodded. “Each time, I thought I was ready for how moody I’d feel in the weeks after I gave birth.”

“She was nuts,” Pax agreed. “But nature is nuts. What can you do?”

I smiled at Pax’s attempt at kind words. He was a rough man with the biggest heart. His brother had the same vibe. They weren’t as open about their feelings as Rowdy could be, but I never doubted how much they loved their families.

Little Memphis promised a bigger family and a large group of friends. The idea excited me, but saying goodbye to Little Rock felt terrifying.

“I only have a few more weeks of vacation before I’ll need to put in my notice,” Maria reminded me as we fed the babies their last bottles before bed. “I feel guilty about leaving a good job.”

Rowdy sat nearby, silently watching us and likely plotting how to get his way.

“I struggle with the idea of never returning to the clinic,” I admitted and smiled at Rowdy. “Every time I feel panicky over quitting, I remind myself that Little Rock doesn’t have the Reed family. In Little Memphis, we’ll be able to start over fresh.”

When Maria fell silent, I knew she feared what starting over fresh would mean for her. I was moving to a town to be with the father of my children. His family had already wrapped me up in their affection. Rowdy had talked about building a house in the neighborhood where his parents and Lula lived. I could picture my future, even if the details remained unanswered.

Maria enjoyed none of that clarity. She had no choice except to follow me. I would have been in the same situation if she had met a man. In fact, every time she started dating someone new, I’d consider how my life might change if they got married.

Not every man was bound to be cool with his woman’s twin sister shadowing his every move. Yet, somehow, Rowdy understood I could only be happy if Maria was nearby.

That’s why Rowdy suggested I ask Maria to sleep in bed with me on the night he would spend in Little Memphis. I hadn’t wanted to talk about his impending absence since every little thing triggered my hormonal outbursts.

“I’ve gotten attached to having Rowdy around,” I said in Estonian to my sister as we cooked dinner. “I’m afraid I’ll act like a crybaby once he isn’t around.”

“It’d be strange if you didn’t miss him. You’ve spent more time with Rowdy than I’ve spent with all my boyfriends combined.”

Frowning, I doubted her comment. After all, Maria had dated men for months while Rowdy and I had only been together for weeks. Yet, her relationships had remained casual, superficial even.

I wished Maria could meet someone tied to Rowdy’s world. She’d never gotten emotionally involved with any of the men she dated in the past. Something always held her back. I had the same problem with every man except Rowdy.

But with my biker baby daddy, I no longer held back. Rowdy brought out the best in me. I’d even gotten over some of my self-loathing toward my flabby belly.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” Rowdy said the day before he left for Little Memphis. “It’s only for a single night, but I’m used to having someone sexy to cuddle up with. Let me hump your leg like a horny dog.”

Laughing, I toppled on the bed with him, where we spent the next ten minutes doing very naughty, over-the-clothes action.

“When you get me worked up like that,” Rowdy said after he found relief, “I’m not particularly surprised I knocked you up. My jizz feels more powerful when we’re together.”

His praise left me feeling sexy no matter how out of shape I was. However, we were still getting to know each other.

So, that afternoon, while Bebe and Pax drove to the grocery store with Maria, Rowdy and I sat on the couch and asked each other personal questions.