And I do. Because Wyatt has had my back since I met him and started working at Vibrant Ink. They’ve all had my back. While I thought I didn’t need it before, I’m man enough to admit I need it now. This is a huge change in my life and there will be times when I need to change my schedule or even cut back on my appointments once our baby arrives. They’ll make changes for me; all I’ll have to do is ask.
“Good,” he grunts. “I’m sure Tenley is telling Avery something similar.”
I huff out a laugh. “I bet they’re planning their first girl’s day out or spa outing.”
Wyatt laughs, the sound ringing across my back yard. “Knowing my wife? Probably.” He eyes me for a moment before adding, “We’re going to be coming over more often now. Not only to check on Avery, but to check on you. This is a big deal, and it was dropped in your lap.” I bristle, about to tell him where to shove his concern, but he holds his hand up and keeps talking, “You’re handling it well, but that doesn’t mean you won’t need support.”
The reminder that their concern comes from love, even if he doesn’t say it outright, has my annoyance waning. “I appreciate it,” I force the words past my lips. My eyes drift toward the house and if I listen really closely, I can hear Avery’s laughter coming from inside. “We’re going to take things slowly and see what happens.”
“What do you want to have happen?”
“Honestly?” When he gives me a single nod, I blow out a long breath. “I want it all. It scares the hell out of me, but I want her and our baby. I want a family which is something I never thought I would want.”
He wipes an imaginary tear from his cheek and sniffles dramatically. “You’re all grown up now.”
“Fuck off,” I deadpan while flipping him off.
One side of his mouth quirks up in a smirk and some of the heaviness of the conversation evaporates to join the stars twinkling in the sky above us. He cut the tension, but he’s not wrong.
My need to not get too close, even to the family I could never avoid, was the reaction of someone who was stuck in the past. I kept my trauma wrapped around me as if it could protect me from future hurts. Now, with Avery in my life, I don’t want to keep doing that.
I need to let her in, and I need to let my family in. No, we’re not bound by blood, but we wake up each day and choose each other. That doesn’t just count for something; it’s everything.
By the time Wyatt and Tenley leave, my woman has a huge smile on her face, and I feel lighter after my talk with Wyatt. As I lead Avery up to bed and watch as she goes through her nighttime routine, I’m not sure what the next few months will bring. But I’m looking forward to them.
I can’t remember the last time I was looking forward to anything. But this life with her? I want it and I’m going to fight for it.
CHAPTER 16
AVERY
In the last two weeks, I’ve had lunch with Tenley four times, and the Vibrant Ink family has been rotating through our house like they put together a schedule on a spreadsheet to make sure we’re taken care of. It’s rather sweet and I can’t say that I’ve minded getting to know everyone.
Knox and Travis are both hilarious troublemakers. The only difference is that while Knox’s joking is genuine, I get the feeling Travis keeps a happy face on as part of a mask. It gives me ‘fake it till you make it’ vibes. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I hope someday he can just be himself.
Monroe is amazing. She’s smart, talented, and very sweet. She’s made me feel welcome without even trying. While she doesn’t push me to open up about my past, I’ve felt the need, or at least felt comfortable enough, to share some things with her.
I thought after the last time we talked that I’d be seeing news reports about Page and Prescott going up in flames, but it hasn’t happened. Yet. It wouldn’t surprise me if she’s plotting something. She’s very protective of her family.
Carson is sweet, but she’s also a little more distant than everyone else. I get the feeling that part of her is somewhere else. Whenever she talks about her hometown in Montana, shegets this wistful look on her face. I won’t be surprised if she announces that she’s moving back. If anyone is surprised when she finally follows her heart and heads home, then they haven’t been paying attention.
Ellis is the quietest one of the group. He doesn’t talk much, but he does take everything in. His quiet is different than Bridger’s. My man is broody in his silence where Ellis is more observant. I don’t know a lot about him, but there’s a calm about him I like being around.
One day all of his curiosity is going to be directed at someone, and they won’t know what to do with it. Mark my words.
I’ve settled into the thought of Bridger being mine. Every night for the last two weeks, he’s slept wrapped around me with one of his hands resting on my bump. We’ve made out more times than I can count. His kisses leave me breathless and almost begging for more.
But kissing is as far as we’ve gone.
Honestly, I’m about to spontaneously combust. I’m so damn horny I can hardly stand it and I’m not sure what to do to tip him over the edge.
I’ve been wearing short maternity night gowns to bed which I know ride up to show off far too much leg for polite company. But nothing about Bridger is polite company. The man’s eyes have been glued to my thighs, and the heat of his gaze has felt like a caress against my skin.
But he’s still holding back.
I have no idea why, but if something doesn’t break soon, I’m not sure what I’ll do. Maybe I just need to jump him? I’ve never done it before, but the sexual tension is killing me slowly.
“You’re quiet today,” Bridger observes, his large palm resting on my thigh and scalding my skin through the leggings I’m wearing.
