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Автор книги: Kelly Elliott

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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

GUNNER

Jeff and Ari had left a while ago and I was exhausted mentally and physically. Not to mention, I was pissed that we had to cut our damn honeymoon in half.

Grams and Gramps had been talking about my dad for the last hour. I looked over at Ellie. She was struggling to keep her eyes open. I thought back to the day before yesterday when I’d watched her sleep on the beach. My heart hurt so much from just thinking about how much I loved this girl.

She must have sensed me looking at her; she looked up at me and smiled. Her smile stopped my whole world. I would do anything to see her smile like that. She winked at me and then turned back to Grams.

“Emma, please let me know what I can do to help out with the party. Or maybe you need help getting things ready for when Grace and Jack get here? Whatever I can do to help keep Jack comfortable, please just let me know. I’d love to help out in any way.”

“Ellie, darlin’, you’re a sweetheart. I’m so sorry y’all had to cut your honeymoon in half. Your mother is sick over it, Drew. Drew?”

I couldn’t peel my eyes away from Ellie. I swore that this girl didn’t have a mean bone in her body. The minute I told her about my dad having a heart attack, she had started packing up our things. She had never once said a negative thing about giving up our honeymoon. Now, she was offering to help out a man who didn’t even bother to show up for our wedding.

“Gunner, maybe we should head to the cabin. You must be exhausted,” Ellie said with a sparkle in her eye. I smiled back at her and her smile grew bigger.

“I’m sorry Grams. I couldn’t pull my thoughts away from my beautiful bride sitting over there. What did you say?”

Grams let out a laugh, and Gramps stood up and hit my back.

He leaned down toward my ear.

“Go on home, son. We can talk tomorrow. I can see that you’re itching to have your bride in your arms.”

I laughed as I stood up and shook Gramps hand. I swore that the bastard grew wiser by the minute.

Ellie stood up and hugged Grams. They talked about getting together tomorrow to cook up a storm. Then, I noticed Grams leaned in as she whispered something to Ellie. Ellie pulled back with a surprised look on her face as nodded her head. Grams pulled Ellie in for a longer hug as she said something to her. I couldn’t even listen to what Gramps was saying to me. The look on Ellie’s face was so sad. What the hell is going on?

***

The drive to the cabin seemed like it took forever. I held Ellie’s hand the entire time as she looked out the window into the darkness.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong? I can tell you’re bothered by something.”

Ellie turned toward me and let a small smile play across her face.

“I guess I’m just nervous. I’m nervous about being home, helping you with the ranch, and meeting your dad. I’m also worried about, what’s going on with Ari. I don’t know. It’s all just so crazy.”

I pulled her hand up to my mouth and pressed a soft kiss on it. “Don’t be nervous about the ranch Ells. Gramps and Grams will help us. As far as my dad is concerned.” I let out a laugh as shook my head. “I’m not so sure that I can tell you not to be nervous about meeting him. He’s a hard ass, and to be honest, he’s made me nervous my whole damn life. Don’t worry though, sweetheart, he’s going to fall in love with you the moment he sees you, just like everyone else has.”

I parked the truck as we pulled up to the cabin. It seemed like just yesterday when we had been here and I asked her to marry me. I sat there for a second, trying to get my heart-beat under control.

I jumped out and ran around to open the truck door for her. I reached in and took her hand as I helped her out of the truck.

“Such a gentleman,” Ellie said with a giggle.

“I’ll get the suitcases in the morning. I don’t think you’ll need any clothes tonight,” I said as I wiggled my eye brows up and down.

Ellie let out a laugh as she jumped into my arms.

“I’m so glad to be home. I loved our honeymoon, and a part of me wishes that we were back there, listening to the ocean, but being home just feels so right.”

I reached down, scooping up her legs, and carried her onto the porch. Right when I stepped up on the porch, the locusts starting singing. I had to smile while I thought about that first night on the ranch a year ago when Ellie had gotten scared and ran into my arms after she’d heard the whip-poor-will’s.

“Welcome home, Mrs. Mathews.” I gently started to slide her down my body. I held her as close to me as I possibly could.

The moment I felt her feet hit the porch, I captured her lips with mine. The small moan she let escape her mouth traveled throughout my body. I wanted nothing more than to make love to her right here and now.

Ellie pulled back just a little as she smiled against my lips. “Listen, they’re playing our song,” Ellie said whispered.

I laughed and took a step back from her.

“Well, it would be rude of us to just ignore such a beautiful song, now wouldn’t it?”

I held out my hand for Ellie, inviting her to dance with me. She threw her head back and laughed while she placed her hand in mine. I pulled her close, and we started to dance on the porch of our new little home. I thought that my wedding day had been the best moment of my life, but here was yet another moment with Ellie that just took my breath away.

“I love you, Drew.” Ellie said as we slow danced to the Locusts humming in the trees.

“I love you, too, Ellie.”

She looked up at me and smiled. “I never want this feeling to end…ever.”

I smiled back at her, watching as her eyes turned from love to passion within a matter of seconds.

“What feeling would that be, sweetheart?”

“The feeling of being so incredibly in love with you that I can hardly even breathe. I’m so happy here, Gunner. I’m so very happy here in our little world.”

Our little world. I couldn’t have said it better even if I tried.

“I feel the same way, Ellie. I couldn’t stop staring at you earlier. The only thing I could think of was getting you back to this cabin and making love to you all night long, baby.”

Ellie pulled back some as she tilted her head up to me. “Well, what are you waiting for, Mr. Mathews? I’m ready to start christening this cabin.”

That was all I needed to here. I reached down and grabbed her as she let out a giggle. I opened the door, and the moment we walked in, I smelled flowers. I smiled as I thought about making love to Ellie as man and wife for the first time in this cabin.

Ellie reached behind us and turned on the lights. We both let out a gasp as we took in the cabin. Daisies were everywhere. A bottle of wine with two glasses sat next to a large tray of fruit and chocolate-covered strawberries on the kitchen table.

Ellie was staring at me I looked at her. We both let out a laugh. At the said at the same time, we said,“Jenny!”

“Damn, that girl is good!” I said. I started to put Ellie down…in that oh-so-slow way I knew she loved.

Ellie walked up to the table and leaned down to smell the flowers. She turned back to look at me and smiled that smile that she saves only for me. I instantly felt my dick get harder than a rock.

My knees just about buckled when she lifted up her T-shirt up over her head. Then, she slowly started to unbutton her jean shorts as she gave me the sexiest damn look I’d ever seen. She stood there in a pair of white boy short panties and white lace bra, and she had the cutest damn smile on her face.

“Well, Mr. Mathews, how long are you going to wait before you make mad passionate love to your wife in our new home?”

I’d never moved so fast in my life. She let out a laugh as I picked her up and walked us over to the bed. I tossed her on the bed and started to take off my shirt and shorts. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her. She was now sucking on her finger as she slid her legs up and down against each other. Motherfucker…I felt like it was our first time all over again. The things this girl does to me.

I slowly crawled onto the bed , lying down next to her. My god, she is so beautiful. She rolled onto her side to face me. Lying there, we just stared at each other. I would never get tired of just looking at her. I took the back of my hand and ran it down the side of her face. She closed her eyes as she sucked in a breath of air. When her eyes opened back up, they were on fire.

“You know, I never did thank you properly for that carriage ride,” Ellie said as she slowly started to get up.

She slowly pushed me down until I was laying flat on my back. She started to kiss my neck, and then her lips moved down my chest.

“I think my favorite part of your body is your chest, Gunner.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Ohh…yeah,” Ellie said as she kept kissing all over my chest.

“I could say the same thing about your chest, Ells,” I said with a laugh.

I quickly stopped laughing when I felt her take me in her hand. Now, it was my turn to suck in a breath of air.

I thought I just died and gone to fucking heaven. She was kissing further down my body, and with every kiss, my body felt more sensitive. The moment I felt her take me in her mouth, I had to do everything in my power not to lose control.

“Ellie.” I groaned.

Good Lord, this girl was going to be my undoing. Then, she moaned, and I felt it move through my whole body. Reaching down, I grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her up to me.

“What’s wrong? Was I doing something wrong?” Ellie asked pouting.

I wanted to laugh at the look she was giving me, but more than anything, I just wanted to be inside her.

“No, baby, you were doing it too well.”

I rolled over and crawled on top of her as she opened up her legs for me.

“God, Ellie…I love you so much that it hurts sometimes, baby.”

Ellie arched her body toward mine as she ran her hands through my hair. I kissed the side of her neck, and moving up to her ear. It drove her crazy when I sucked on her ear-lobe. I barely slid inside of her before I backed out and made my way down her neck to her chest.

As I started to suck on one nipple, I played with the other one. Ellie let out a moan that about had me come on the spot. I barely slid back in again before I pulled out.

“Oh god, Gunner, please stop teasing me. I want you so bad…please.”

I smiled as I looked up at her. I watched her reaction to my every move.

I thought about how someday, I hoped soon, we would be making a baby together.

Ellie’s eyes were closed as her head was thrown back slightly. I stopped there for a few seconds, just watching her. I started to enter her again, and I’ll be damned if she didn’t smile. It took all of my control to move slowly. I just wanted to make her feel good.

“Gunner…oh my…that feels so good!”

Ellie looked up at me, and our blue eyes met. I leaned over her and gently bit down on her lower lip. She started to move her hands through my hair faster. The, she grabbed me and pulled me closer to her.

Oh god. I loved the way she moved perfectly with me as we made love. She pulled away from the kiss and started to call out my name. It took everything out of me not to come with her.

When she finally came back to me, I rolled her over so she was now on top of me. I smiled up at her, and I was rewarded with the most beautiful smile ever.

“My turn, baby.” I said as I winked at her.

It took every ounce of energy to last five minutes with Ellie riding me. Nothing had ever felt so good as when she was in control. The moment I heard her calling out again, I let go. She collapsed on top of me, and we were both breathing like we had just run a damn marathon.

“How was that?” Ellie said with a giggle.

God, I love her.

“Ellie, sweetheart, I want to have kids right away.” I wasn’t sure why I said it, but it came out before I could stop myself.

Ellie sat up and just stared at me. Then, I saw her eyes tear up, and I watched as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

Motherfucker, What did I just do?

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

ELLIE

It took everything out of me not to jump up and down when Gunner said he wanted to have kids right away. I felt the same way, but I didn’t know how to talk to him about it. I just thought he’d say we were too young, but I knew I wanted kids right away. I tried not to cry, but I was so happy I couldn’t help it.

Gunner sat up and pulled me onto his lap. I placed my head on his chest, and I just lost it. I wasn’t really sure why I was crying. Is it the idea of Gunner wanting to have kids right away? Or maybe it’s the fact that I’m was scared shitless because I’m worried that I’ll be a shitty mother?

Then, I thought about Ari. She had begged me not to tell Jeff about her being pregnant. I knew she thought that Jeff had a lot on his mind with Rebecca’s stupid stunt, but I also didn’t think she should hide it from him.

“Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you, Ellie. We don’t have to start having kids right away if you’re not ready. I just thought.”

I leaned up to kiss Gunner. He pulled away. He seemed so confused.

“Ellie, baby, please tell me why you’re crying,” Gunner said as he wiped away the tears from my face.

“I want nothing more than to start having kids with you, Gunner. I would like to start right away, too. I was so afraid to talk to you about it and kept putting it off. I was worried that you would think we were too young or maybe I wouldn’t be.”

“Stop right there, Ellie. Don’t ever think that way again, baby, ever. You’re going to be an amazing mother.” Gunner placed his hand on my stomach and smiled at me.

That damn crooked-ass smile of his gets me every time. I couldn’t help but smile back at him as I placed my hand on top of his.

“So, should we? Should I stop taking the pill? Can we do this, Gunner?”

The next thing I knew, I was lying back down as Gunner kissed me so passionately that I could hardly breathe. I could practically feel his love and happiness pouring into me with every kiss. Just his touch was enough to drive me crazy. I loved him more than life itself. The thought of us trying to start a family just about had me wanting to jump up and run around the room.

Then, I thought about Ari again and I tensed up.

Gunner pulled away from me and frowned. “Ellie….what’s wrong?”

“Gunner, I have to tell you something, but you have to promise me that you won’t say anything to Jefferson. Will you promise me?”

Gunner rolled off of me, and we turned to face each other again. As he pushed a piece of my hair behind my ear, I had to smile.

“Of course, Ells. You know I would never betray your trust. Is everything okay?”

I shook my head. My heart started to ache as I thought back to Ari in the bathroom, throwing up as tears just poured down her face. I don’t know who was more shocked, Heather or me. I’d never seen Ari so broken. She should have been happy. She should have been excited to run back to tell Jeff. Instead, she’d sat on a cold bathroom floor, scared shitless as she cried her eyes out.

“No. Tonight, when we went into town to pick up mason jars for Emma well, that’s not why we went into town.”

Gunner let out a laugh. “I knew that wasn’t the reason, Ells.”

“You did? How? Why didn’t you say anything to me if you knew that wasn’t the reason we were going into town?”

“Well, I figured if Grams was backing y’all up, then it must have been something important between you girls. I wasn’t about to pry. I figured if you wanted me to know, you’d tell me.”

Oh. My. God. I married a fucking saint. My heart was bursting with love for this man. Just when I thought he couldn’t get any better, he proved me wrong.

“Gunner, I just want you to know that I love you so much. Thank you so much for trusting me and knowing I would never hide anything from you.”

“Ellie, I love you so much, baby,” Gunner said before he leaned in to give me a soft, sweet kiss.

“Plus, I know that Grams has like two hundred mason jars in the cellar. The second I heard her hush gramps after she gave that excuse, I knew y’all were up to something.”

Laughing, I pushed Gunner’s shoulder back.

“Anywho…Gunner something happened tonight with Ari. It’s something big, and I’m not so sure that I can help her with it.”

Gunner sat up with a sick look on his face.

“Jesus, tell me she’s not leaving Jeff. He would be devastated.”

“What? No! Oh my gosh, no, she’s not leaving him.”

“Thank God. I don’t think Jeff could take another blow right now. He’s really torn up with this whole Rebecca pregnancy thing. I think one more thing just might just push him over the edge.”

Oh shit. Now I was starting to feel sick. I’d been so wrapped up in my own happiness that I didn’t even talk to Jeff about everything today. Shit, shit, shit!

I sat up, pulling the covers over me a bit. Gunner instantly yanked them back down, exposing my breasts. I smiled but quickly frowned as I thought about how Jefferson might being happy about Ari being pregnant.

“Ellie, what’s wrong? You just went white as a ghost.”

I just blurted it out. “Oh, Gunner! Ari found out tonight that she’s pregnant.”

Now, Gunner looked like a ghost.

“What? Holy shit, Ellie. Is she okay? I mean, how did she take it? Is she going to tell Jeff tonight?”

“Um..well, I don’t think she’s okay. She had already scheduled a doctor’s appointment for Monday, so she could be tested for the Fragile X gene. So, she’s worried about that, but I think she’s more scared about how Jefferson is going to take it.”

“Ellie, you have to know that Jeff is going to be ecstatic about it. He wants nothing more than to have a baby with Ari.”

“Well, yeah, I’m sure under normal circumstances he would be overjoyed, but with Rebecca being pregnant, I’m not so sure. Ari said that Jefferson drops everything every time that bitch calls. I think Ari is about at her breaking point. She also thinks that Rebecca is lying. When Jefferson and Rebecca met for lunch on Monday, Ari got a good look at her. She said that Rebecca looks a lot bigger than seven months.”

“Shit. This is all so fucked up. I can’t even imagine how Ari is feeling right now. Are you going with her to her appointment oh Monday?”

Oh Lord. I thought about Ari and her big plan. I just nodded my head and tried to smile.

“Gunner, no matter what, we have to be there for both Jeff and Ari. She’s not planning on telling him anytime soon. I think she’s making a mistake, but I told her that I would honor her wishes. I just don’t want her to take this on all alone. By the way, Emma knows. As a matter of fact, Emma was the one who told Ari that she was probably pregnant. I swear that your grandmother has magical powers!”

Gunner threw his head back and laughed. “Yeah, my cousins and I used to say that when we were little. She always seemed to know when we were up to something. We thought it was pretty cool that she was so smart. Now it just seems kind of creepy how she knows something before you even know it.”

“Well, I sure wish she could use her powers to help Ari and Jeff figure this shit out.”

“I know, baby. We’ll be there for both Jeff and Ari. Don’t worry. Let’s just get Ari through her appointment on Monday, my dad’s arrival Tuesday, Grams and Gramps party on Wednesday. Shit.”

I knew Gunner was nervous about his father coming to the ranch. It had been four years since he’s even talked to his dad.

I got up on my knees, letting the sheet fall completely off my body. Leaning over, I captured Gunner’s mouth with mine as I ran my hands through his beautiful messy hair. I tried to kiss him with as much passion and love as I could. The moan he let out just about gave me an orgasm right there on the spot.

“Drew, make love to me, please.”

Gunner gently laid me down, barely putting any weight on me, while he returned my kiss with just as much passion and love.

“Shall we practice making that baby?” Gunner said as he smiled against my lips.

Letting out a giggle, I wrapped my legs around him. The moment he pushed himself inside of me it felt like heaven.

“Yes…and I think we’re gonna need a lot of practice.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

ARI

I watched as Jeff pulled up and parked. When he got out of his truck he glanced over at Jeff. He looked around as he walked up to Garrett and Emma’s house, and then went inside. I was sure that he was looking for me.

I’d gotten up earlier and taken one of the horses out for a ride. God, I wish I could just ride away from all of this shit.

I put my hand down on my stomach while I imagined telling Jeff about the baby. He would be so happy. He would take me in his arms and tell me how much he was going to love both of us, no matter what.

I closed my eyes and pictured a little one running around the ranch. I would teach her how to ride a horse for the first time, play chase all over the country-side, and swim in the river.

My eyes flew open the moment I thought of Matthew. My sweet, sweet baby brother. I loved him so much. He made our lives so incredibly special. But am I as strong as my mother? Would I be able to handle a child with Fragile X?

I heard the screen door open. I pulled Big Roy back behind the tree while I watched Gunner and Jeff talking. I wondered if Ellie had told Gunner about me being pregnant. I knew that Gunner would honor my wishes and never tell Jeff.

I saw Gunner and Jeff shake hands, and then Gunner slapped Jeff while he walked back out to his truck. Running his hand through his hair, he looked so damn sad as he looked around again.

Just then, my cell phone rang, spooking both Big Roy and me. Grabbing it quickly, I answered it without looking to see who was calling.

“Ari! I love you!”

I let out a laugh. “Hey, little buddy! I love you, too, Matthew. What are you doing today, sweets?”

“Can we go to lunch today, Ari? Please? Jeff too. I want to see Jeff, Ari. Where is he today?”

My heart broke.

“Um… well, I can have lunch with you today, buddy, but Jeff can’t. He has other plans with someone else. Give me a couple of hours to get home, okay Matt? Can I talk to Mommy?”

“Okay! Here is Mommy. I love you, Ari.”

“I love you, too, Matt.”

I heard Matt running up to my mother to hand her the phone.

“Ari, sweetheart, how are you doing?”

Oh, fuck a duck. The moment I heard her voice the tears started.

“Um…” I sniffled.

“Ari! Are you crying? What did he do to you, Ari? Your father will kill him.”

I had to let out a laugh. God how I love my parents.

“Mom, I’m fine. I’m just a bit…emotional. Jeff didn’t really do anything other than drop everything this week whenever the bitch called him.”

My mother let out a sigh. “Talk to me, Ari. Are you outside? It sounds like wind is blowing into your cell phone.”

“Yep, I took Gunner’s horse out for a ride this morning. I needed some fresh air and a strong man between my legs to clear my head.”

My mother let out a giggle and said something about raising me right.

“Ari, I hear it in your voice. Something’s not right, sweetheart. Please talk to me.”

There was no way I was telling her about the baby.

“I have a doctor’s appointment on Monday mom, I’m getting tested. I guess I’m just scared.”

That wasn’t a lie. I was scared shitless.

“Do you want me to go with you? Is Jeff going?” she asked.

I sighed as the conversation from last night came rushing back to me full force. I thought about Jeff standing on the porch, talking to Rebecca.

“No, Jeff isn’t going. Ellie and Heather are going with me. There’s no need to worry Jeff with anymore shit. I’ll be fine, Mom. I’ll have my girls with me.”

“Are you sure, Arianna? I really don’t mind going with you. I’m sure you’ll have a lot of questions, but Dr. Wyatt is so good. You’re in good hands, honey.”

“Yeah, Mom I know. Don’t worry about me. I’m a strong bitch. What is that Katharine says, Mom? ‘Drive on. We'll sweep up the blood later!” That’s me.”

My mother laughed.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Now I’m quoting Katharine Hepburn. Fuck. If this was what being pregnant wass all about, then I was in for a long damn ride.

“So, Matthew wants you to take him to lunch today, honey, but I wasn’t sure if you were coming into town or not.”

“I would love to have lunch with him. Give me a few hours to get there. I need to put Big Roy up and get him taken care of. I’ll grab a quick shower, and then I’ll head in. Oh, I didn’t tell you! Gunner and Ellie are back early from their honeymoon. Gunner’s father had a heart attack. He’s okay, but Gunner’s mom and dad are coming to stay at the ranch for a few weeks.”

“Oh no! That’s terrible. I met Grace at the wedding. She seems like a sweet lady. She told me a little bit about Gunner and his father’s troubled relationship. I look forward to seeing them at Garrett and Emma’s anniversary party. I hope Gunner and his dad can make peace with each other.”

“Yeah, so does Ellie. Alright, Mom, I’m gonna let ya go, so I can get ready to head in.”

“Alright, sweetheart, be careful driving, and we’ll see you soon.”

***

Matthew came running out of the house the moment I pulled up and got out of my Jeep. He ran into my arms, and I picked him up and gave him a big bear hug. I held on to him just a little longer than normal.

“Ari! Put me down now. You will suffocate me with your bear hug!” Matthew said with a laugh.

“Oh my gosh! Do you think I’m that strong, buddy?”

“Where’s your horse, Ari?”

“She is at Jeff’s ranch back in Mason. She has a new stall, and she loves it. You’ll get to see her in a few days when you come out to Garrett and Emma’s big party.”

“Another party? Is this a wedding, too? Do I get to be in it again?”

I threw my head back and laughed. “Not this time, sweets. Come on. Are you ready to go eat?”

I looked up and smiled when I saw my mother standing on the porch watching. She tilted her head and gave me a funny look. She started to walk down the steps while I was buckling Matt’s seat belt.

“Y’all have fun this afternoon okay?”

I turned to look at my mom, I started to answer her when she stopped dead in her tracks.

She looked me up and down and then smiled. “Oh. My. God.”

I looked behind me and then all around me. “What? What’s wrong? Shit! Do I have a flat tire or something?”

My mother walked up and placed her hands on my shoulders. As she looked at me, she said,

“Arianna Katherine Peterson. How long have you known?”

What the fuck is she talking about?

“Um, Mom…when did you take up drinking in the mornings? What the hell are you talking about?”

My mom shut the door to my Jeep and pulled me a few steps away.

“Smile big, Ari. Let me see your gums?”

“What the hell, Mom? Oh my god, does Dad know you finally snapped? You need a vacation in a bad way.”

My mom threw her head back and laughed. Then, proceeded to try and stick her fingers in my mouth to look at my gums.

“Mom!”

“Ari, when did you find out?”

“When did I find out what, Mom? Oh my god, just come out with it. You’re starting to scare me.”

“That you’re pregnant. How long have you known?”

Fuck. A. Duck. What is with these women and their super-natural powers?

“How did you…what made you think…wait…” I couldn’t even talk right, I was so shocked that my mother just had to look at me to know I was pregnant.

My mother started to laugh as she pulled me into a hug.

She pushed me out at arm’s length, her eyes moving up and down as she examined me. Then, she frowned. “You haven’t told Jeff, have you?”

I let out a sigh and turned to check on Matt. He was playing with his Play Station. He looked so content, like he was in heaven.

“Mom I just found out last night. It was really weird because Emma was the one who told me she thought I was pregnant. Mom, you can’t tell anyone, not even Dad!”

“What? Why, Ari?”

“Can we talk about it later, Mom? I really just want to spend some time with Matt. We’ll talk when I get back, okay?” I kissed my Mom on the cheek before I ran around to the driver’s side of the Jeep.

I took one last look at my mom. She was blowing kisses to Matt. Then, she looked up at me with a sad smile. Shit. The last thing I wanted was sympathy from anyone.

***

“Ari, I like their chocolate milk shakes here,” Matt said.

I laughed because it was the fourth time that Matt had told me he liked the milk shakes at Mighty Fine Burgers.

Just then, I saw Brad Smith come walking in. Our eyes met at the same time and he gave me that bright-ass smile of his. The last time I saw him was when my parents took Ellie, Jeff, and me out to dinner on graduation night.

Brad gave me a wave, and I smiled and waved back.

“Hey, Matt, I’m gonna go order you a chocolate milk shake. Will you sit right here and eat your hamburger and french fries for me?”

“Sure, Ari! Make sure you get chocolate.”

I walked up to the counter and stood in line behind Brad. After he finished ordering his food, he moved to the side, waiting for me as I ordered Matt’s milkshake.

“Ari, my god, look at how beautiful you look. You’re practically glowing!” Brad said.

Jesus, please don’t ask me if I’m pregnant.

“Ha! Thanks, Brad. How are you?” I walked up to him and gave him a quick hug.

“I’m doing good thanks. How about you? I heard you and Jeff Johnson are an item now.”

I held up my left hand, showing him my engagement ring, and smiled. “Yep.”

“Well, I’ll be damned. Congratulations, darlin’. He’s one lucky bastard.”

I let out a laugh as they called my name for Matt’s shake.

“Are you eating alone? You want to join my little brother, Matt, and me?”

Brad looked over toward Matt and smiled.

“Sure, if he doesn’t mind the extra company, I’d love to join y’all.”

***

We sat there for a good fifteen minutes, catching up on things. Brad was going to vet school at Texas A-&-M, and was in town for the summer. Matt asked Brad twenty million questions. At first, Brad had seemed to be frustrated but then he must have remembered that Matt had Fragile X. Brad was trying to be patient, but I could tell it was getting to him. I’d only met one guy who had the patience of saint when it came to Matt, and that was Jeff.

Brad just finished telling Matt a silly joke. As we all started laughing, I glanced up and saw Jeff and Rebecca walking in. I let out a gasp, which caused Brad to turn around to see what I was looking at. Jeff saw me the moment he walked in the door. His eyes shot from me to Brad to Matthew and then back to me. He looked confused as hell.

Brad turned back and looked at me.

“Um, Ari, why is your fiancé walking in with another girl…a very pregnant girl?”