Play (Stage Dive, #2)(32)

“A real man knows when his woman is knocked up, Jimbo. I don’t expect you to understand.”

“A real man, huh?” Jimmy pushed off the window, walking slowly toward Mal. His smile would’ve given a shark second thoughts. Hell, they were both smiling. What was it about males that they felt this primal need to beat the shit out of each other for the fun of it? Why?

“Guys,” said Ev. “No punching at my do-over wedding, playful or otherwise.”

“What about bitch-slapping?” asked Mal, swinging his arm in Jimmy’s direction.

“Let’s not.” I grabbed his hand and dragged it down by my side before he could do anyone any damage. “And Jimmy is right. Forty-eight hours is a bit too soon to tell. Not that we’re trying,” I hastened to add.

Mal’s brows drew in as he gave me a wounded look. “I can’t believe you’d side with him against me. That really hurts, Anne. You, of all people, should know my sperm is of superior quality.”

“You wouldn’t believe how long I could go never hearing you talk about your spunk, man.” Ben shook his head.

“Don’t be down, dude. It’s only natural my alpha sperm would make you feel pitifully inadequate.”

With a long groan, Jimmy covered his face. “You should have just let me hit him. If anyone ever needed some f*cking sense knocked into them …”

“I’ll hold him down,” Ben offered.

“Knock it off,” said David.

Mal opened his lips, eyes alight with glee. So I slapped my hand over his mouth, quick smart.

“Mal, why don’t we discuss your sperm later?” I suggested. He kissed my palm and slowly I lowered my hand. “Thank you. And we are not having a baby.”

“Okay, Anne. Whatever you say, Anne.”

Ben laughed. “What, you * whipped now?”

Without comment, David reached out and smacked the bigger man over the back of the head.

“Hey!”

“Thanks, Davie.” Mal drew me back into his arms.

“That was for Anne,” said David. “Enough embarrassing shit while the girls are around. Act your f*cking age, guys.”

“A shovel, Malcolm. A rusty old shovel. That’s your fate if you upset my friend. Keep it in mind.” Ev stepped forward to give me a kiss on the cheek. “I wish you all the luck in the world with him. You’re a brave woman.”

“Yes, I’m beginning to think so.”

“I like the way he looks at you,” she said quietly. “That’s new.”

“Your second wedding was beautiful.” I gave her my biggest, brightest smile, sidestepping the subject of my new fake boyfriend entirely.

Ev threw an arm around her husband’s neck, smacking a kiss on his cheek. “Yes it was. It was amazing.”

“Love you, baby.” David kissed her back.

“Love you too.”

He whispered something in her ear. Something that made her giggle. “We can’t–my parents are here. Later.”

David’s mouth turned downward.

“Does this mean you’re coming on tour, Anne?” asked Ev. “Please say yes.”

“Absolutely!” Mal hugged me to him, squeezing me tight enough to make me wheeze. My feet even briefly left the ground.

“I don’t know about that. I haven’t had a chance to ask for any time off yet.” I wiggled around until Mal gave me breathing room. He didn’t allow me much beyond it, however. No biggie, I could ignore him and the crazy feelings he inspired, both. It would’ve been cool to experience life on the road, but I wasn’t actually invited. Plus work, Lizzy, real life, and all that. “When does the tour start, by the way?”

“First show’s in Portland in five days’ time.”

“Five days?” I hadn’t been able to afford tickets when they went on sale a few months back. And of course they’d sold out in a matter of minutes. Denied attendance, I’d deliberately ignored what the bulk of the city was buzzing about. Call it petty jealousy, if you will.

My time with Mal was so short. My stomach dropped and my heart ached. The knowledge hurt. No matter how scarily stupid his kisses made me, I didn’t want him to go. He made life better, brighter. How idiotic of me to have gotten attached. I hadn’t meant to, but the evidence was clear.

“Don’t look so sad, pumpkin.” He gently cupped my chin, eyes serious. “We’ll work something out.”

“Guys, they’re ready to do photos.” Lauren stood in the doorway, a full champagne flute in hand. After some grumbling, Jimmy headed inside. Ev and David, arm in arm, followed behind him.

“Great acting,” whispered Mal, laying a soft kiss upon my neck. “I honestly thought you were about to burst into tears.”

Funny, I’d thought I might too. I huffed out a laugh and gave him my best fake smile. “I played one of the wicked witches in my middle school’s production of The Wizard of Oz.”

“That explains it.”

“It was basically just lying down dead at the start, pretending to be squished while wearing cool red shoes.”

“Bet you were the best squished girl ever.”

“Thanks. And pregnant? Really?”

He rolled his eyes and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Just got carried away. Do you forgive me?”