Messy Love(52)

“Wow, Aimee!’’ I exclaimed when I finally saw the nursery fully furnished and ready for the baby. Everything was a blend of white and gray, with the colorful stuffed animals, so many I couldn’t count, the stark contrast that livened up the room. “That crib is gorgeous!’’

“I’m pretty sure your brother still has nightmare from the price,’’ she said in laughter, a hand on her round belly. Her blonde hair was down, waving freely around her heart-shaped face glowing from her pregnancy and the love she shared with my brother. “We went overboard. I’m pretty sure we won’t be going on vacation for years with the way we’ve been spending money for the baby.’’

“Nothing less than the best for this little guy,’’ I said and gently caressed her belly, smiling big when I felt a tiny kick.

“You sound just like Jamie.’’ She walked past me and caressed the edge of the beautiful crib painted white with a gray fabric making it look like a cloud just waiting for the baby. I couldn’t wait to meet my nephew and hold him. He would be spoiled by his parents, his grandparents and his aunt. “I asked him to leave you alone, but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t understand that you’re not a little kid he has to protect anymore.’’

“I wouldn’t take him any other way,’’ I said and touched with the tips of my fingers a sand-colored teddy bear. It was incredibly soft against my skin. “And I'm all right, so there’s no need to worry. You can tell him.’’

“Are you sure?’’ She sat on the big chair in the corner of the room, right next to the fancy changing table and put both of her hands on her belly. “You’ve met your birth mother. It shows that it’s doing a number on you.’’

“Of course it does, but it doesn’t mean I’m not fine. I’m processing,’’ I replied a bit harsher than I intended and quickly apologized. “I’ve been on a roller coaster since I’ve met her and her adoptive son hadn’t been helping, but I think it’s going to be okay. Lydia Burton, that’s my birth mother, asked me if I wanted to meet her biological daughter.’’

“Really?’’ Aimee’s almond-shaped eyes opened wider. “Does it mean you’ve been in contact with her ever since? Jamie didn’t say anything.’’

“He doesn’t know.’’ I glanced at the opened door and listened to make sure nobody was coming, but then I heard my father’s very distinctive laugh and relaxed. “I met with her last Monday. It’s just the second time I’ve been in contact with her, but she’s great. I… I can’t explain it.’’

“I don’t think there are words to describe that sort of thing.’’

“Probably not.’’

“And what about the guy? Jamie said that he’s a piece of work and really intense.’’

“Wyatt is something alright.’’ I pulled back from the rows of stuffed animals on the dresser and leaned against it, crossing my arms. “I’ve never met someone like him and—''

“My God!’’ Aimee blurted and straightened.

“What? Is it the baby?’’ I asked, alarmed and ready to scream for my brother to come quick.

“Huh? Oh no, the baby’s fine.’’ She waved my concern away and then pointed at me. “You’re attracted to your birth mother’s adoptive son. That’s soap opera material right there.’’

“Haha.’’ I rolled my eyes and smiled ruefully. “I’m not attracted to him. He’s an asshole and way too damaged for anyone’s good.’’

“Right.’’ She pursed her lips and toyed with a strand of hair that fell past her shoulder. “I respect it if you don’t want to talk about it, but don’t take me for an idiot. It’s written all over your face. That and something like contempt.’’

“And you believe that I’d feel contempt for a guy I’m interested in? I think those pregnancy hormones are hitting you hard.’’

“Ha! You’re on the defensive, just like Jamie when I’m right.’’ She smiled triumphantly at me. My grumpy look and glare didn’t deter her one bit. “I know there’s something you’re not telling me so I’ll bide my time.’’

“Now you sound like a maniacal psychopath.’’

“Hm, careful then.’’ She wiggled her eyebrows, and we both laughed, but when my phone buzzed with an incoming text in my jeans pocket, tension came back in my body, locking me down with a feeling that made me question how come I could guess it was Wyatt.

Five minutes later when we left the nursery, I checked my phone and quietly gasped behind Aimee.

It truly was a text from Wyatt.



I told you. Everything is changing, and once you’re in Ava’s life, it’s forever. It means our lives are entwined. We can’t escape each other. What now?

***





WYATT


“You shouldn’t have sent that fuckin' text,’’ Ralph said after we finished watching the first season of Games of Throne and we threw back one last beer from the six-pack he brought to my place a few hours ago to binge watch.

“I know,’’ I grunted and pushed away the empties on the coffee table to put my feet there. “Marissa Thornton makes me do stupid things.’’