A Lie for a Lie (All In, #1)(67)
I change my pajamas and wipe myself down with a warm cloth, aware I’ve had the fever sweats for most of the night. The whole process is exhausting, and by the time I’m done I need to lie down again. Which of course means I also need to close my eyes. And fall asleep thinking about how I’m glad I made the choice to give RJ a second chance—and that he’s proving to be worth it.
I wake up at five thirty to the sound of a hungry baby. I throw off the covers and shrug into my fuzziest robe. If I’m quick enough, I can catch Kody before he’s fully awake, and often it means he’ll fall back asleep for another hour or so once he’s done feeding.
I’m still a little clammy and warm, and my entire body feels like I’ve been hit by a transport truck, but it’s a significant improvement over yesterday. The fact that my stomach rumbles is also a good sign.
I find RJ in the kitchen, Kody propped on one hip. His hair is all over the place—both boys—and since RJ slept in his clothes, he’s a wrinkled mess. There’s also a spit-up stain on his shoulder. And yet I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look as sexy as he does right now, in this moment. “Let’s see if there’s any more mommy milk in here, little man.”
“Morning.”
“Oh, hey. Sorry if we woke you up. How ya feeling?” He gives me a once-over. “You look better.”
“I feel better.” Kody lets out a shriek and lurches toward me. “I can take him.”
I hold out my arms, but RJ cups the back of his head protectively and turns his body slightly away from me. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Lainey. We don’t want him to catch what you had.”
I’m both irritated and impressed, considering he looks like he needs six more hours of sleep and a shower yet still manages to be gorgeous and concerned. “I’m sanitized and changed. He can get his milk right from the source, no bottle necessary.”
“Your mom said it would be better—”
“My mom? When did you talk to her?”
“She called last night. She was worried when you didn’t call her back.”
Kody screams again, louder this time, insistent. I step forward and put a palm on RJ’s chest. Giving him this second chance hasn’t been easy. I haven’t wanted to put my heart on the line, afraid it’ll just end up broken again, but I’m beginning to see just how much RJ wants this. He fielded a call from my mother, and that says a lot, all on its own. “It’s okay. I’m okay, and he needs to be fed—and I need to feed him, because I’m running like a leaky faucet.”
With a little reluctance and a whole lot of wide eyes, he passes Kody over. As soon as Kody’s in my arms he’s bumping around, pecking at me almost like a bird, mouth open and waiting for food. I’m on autopilot, not really thinking about what I’m doing as I shift my robe aside and undo the snap on my nightshirt, which is designed specifically for middle-of-the-night feedings.
Kody roots around almost frantically. “It’s okay. Mommy’s here. Breakfast is on its way.” He latches on, and after a few seconds he coughs, so I tuck my pinkie between his mouth and my nipple, forcing him to let go. Even though I pumped, I’m still way overdue for a feed, so I’m like a fire hose, shooting everywhere.
Unfortunately, RJ seems to be the main target, as I spray him across the shirt. I try to cover up, but all I end up doing is diverting the spray and hitting him in the face. I pull my robe closed, much to Kody’s displeasure. I maneuver around RJ, who’s clearly shocked, and lean over the sink, giving my boob a good squeeze before I attempt feeding Kody again. I wait until he’s latched on and there’s no sign of him choking before I turn around.
“So, that actually happened.” RJ wears an amused grin. “I feel like I can add and cross getting sprayed with breast milk off my bucket list, which is right up there with getting peed on by my son.”
I laugh—and then groan, because my stomach still hurts from all the hurling I did yesterday. “Sorry about that. I’m a bit of a gusher.”
His smile quickly becomes a smirk. “I remember.”
I poke him in the chest. “Our child can hear you.”
He grabs my finger. “The one we made, together.” Lacing our hands, he presses his lips to my knuckle. “You should sit down—you look better, but you’re still pale. Can I get you something? Water, juice, ginger ale, something with electrolytes?”
“I don’t think I have ginger ale or anything with electrolytes in the house, so water would be good, thank you.”
“Kody and I went grocery shopping last night—you have both of those things, so if you want something other than water, let me know.”
“I’ll take electrolytes, please. What flavor do you have?”
“Lemon-lime—that was your favorite kind, right?”
“It still is.”
He sends me off to the living room while he gets me a sports drink and a plate of saltines slathered in butter. I eat them slowly, dropping crumbs all over poor Kody, but he’s so intent on eating he doesn’t notice or care.
RJ makes sure I’m okay with the smell of coffee before he makes himself a cup, then sits on the couch across from me, fidgeting, eyes bouncing from Kody to my face and back down. I think it’s sweet that he’s so concerned. “He’s going to be okay. The worst is over, and I’m on the mend.”