“Lennon, quick! Hurry!” Hunter shouts from the living room. I stumble in my high heel, one on my foot and the other in my hand. “Lennon!”
His urgent screaming has me scrambling, which makes me stub my toe on the dresser and mutter a slew of curse words.
Oh my God. This man. His face better be on fire.
“Are you coming?”
“Hold on!” I kick off my shoe, drop the other one, then run down the hallway to where he and Alison are waiting for me.
“Look! She rolled over!” Hunter’s on the floor next to her lying on a blanket. “She did back to belly, then belly to back! All by herself!” The way he’s gushing about her makes me beam.
“You nearly made me pee myself!” I scold, but I’m smiling because I can’t be mad at him for being so excited about Alison’s milestone. At only six months old, she’s changing so fast.
“Sorry, babe! I didn’t want you to miss it.” Hunter watches her with so much love it’s hard to even be mad about my throbbing toe. “Allie Kat, you’re a genius!”
I snort at the nickname Maddie gave her, the one I tell her to stop saying, but it caught on anyway. Hunter loves her as his own, and as soon as we’re married, we’re going to make it official so he’ll legally be her father. She’ll keep Brandon’s last name and hyphenate it with Hunter’s. Alison Kay Locke-Manning. We talk about him any chance we can, making sure she grows up knowing that she has a daddy in heaven who watches over her every day and that Hunter is her daddy here on Earth who loves her more than anything.
At times, the sadness hits me harder than others, but then I look at Alison and think of the amazing gift Brandon gave me. I know he’d be so damn happy to know he has a little girl. I can only hope he’d be just as happy to know Hunter is the one who stepped up to be here for us.
Hunter looks too damn happy as he encourages and cheers her on that I don’t have the heart to tell him she did this yesterday. She’s been able to roll from her belly to her back for a while now but not back to belly. I was so tired by the time he got home from a late meeting that I completely forgot to mention it. He already feels like he misses too much with his crazy work schedule, so I let him believe this is the first time.
“Are you almost ready, sweetheart?” Hunter stands and presses a sweet kiss to my forehead. “You look incredible, by the way.” His eyes sweep down my body, stares at my chest longer than necessary, then back at my face. “You can’t look this damn good when I can’t do something about it…” He wraps his arms around me, and I blush.
“Don’t you even dare,” I warn him. “We can’t be late. Plus, I have to show you something first.”
Hunter releases an animalistic groan, throwing his head back. He’s being so dramatic, considering he was all over me last night, which causes me to laugh.
I have butterflies in my stomach as I pick up Alison and tell him it’s a surprise from both of us. Quickly, I go to the nursery and set her in the crib, then put the bib on her I picked up at the store yesterday. I wanted to plan something special for this moment, but considering it’s already going to be a busy weekend, I can’t wait any longer.
“Babe?” Hunter calls.
“Coming! Just grabbing Alison’s diaper bag.”
“Ready?” I whisper as I put her on my hip and tickle her chunky little belly.
“Let’s go show Daddy.”
My entire body shakes as I walk to the living room and grab her car seat. I give her a wink as I set her in but don’t buckle her just yet. “Hey, what do you think of Alison’s new bib?” I casually ask over my shoulder, hoping it’s enough to lure him to come over and look.
Hunter grabs his keys and wallet from the coffee table, then steps over and stands behind me. “Butterflies, cute.”
I sigh, shaking my head. He glanced at it without reading the damn thing. “Yeah, I thought it was appropriate.”
“For what?”
“Read. It.” I adjust it, making sure it’s straight and legible. Holding it between my hands, I clear my throat.
“Being promoted to big sister…” He blinks, then mutters the words again. “Wait, what? Are we getting a pet?”
Oh my God. I swallow, releasing a breath. “You’re lucky you’re handsome,” I tease, but as soon as the words come out, his eyes widen as if a light bulb went off.
“Are you pregnant?” he asks, kneeling beside me. When I suck in my lower lip and nod, he grabs me and pulls me to him. “Really? Like you’re really pregnant?” he frantically asks, pushing us apart and nearly giving me whiplash in the process.
“Yes! I’m one hundred percent positive! Trust me, I was in shock, too!”
Hunter blinks, looks at Alison, then back at me. “I can’t believe it.” He brings his hand to my stomach, then pulls me in for a deep, heart-stopping kiss. “I didn’t know if we’d really be able to…” When he rests his forehead on mine, I feel his tears against our cheeks. When we found out his test came back normal three months ago, we decided not to prevent pregnancy and live with the if it happens, it happens mentality. He’s been worried since we’ve been having unprotected sex for so long that we might not be able to have kids. I had to explain to him that it can take up to a year for healthy couples and, in worst-case scenarios, even longer. But as soon as I was late and my boobs felt sore, I knew. It was signs I missed the first time around, but it was impossible to ignore now. I took five tests to confirm it, and when the final test showed the pink lines, my tears were from pure joy.
I’m giving Hunter a baby, and we’re growing our family.
“Did you hear that, Allie Kat? You’re gonna be a big sister!” He takes her out of the car seat and squeezes her.
I watch them with pure admiration. Hunter even added to his ink collection a couple of months ago and got her name and birth date tattooed on his chest over his heart. I was stunned when he brought up the idea and then said he planned on adding our wedding date to it once we set one.
“You’re gonna have to share your toys,” he tells her with a pointed look.
I snort, laughing at how adorable he is with her. There’s a lot to figure out still—if we’ll get a bigger place, when we’ll get married, and if I’ll go back to work after my maternity leave. The realization that we’ll have two kids under two hits me.
“We’re going to have double diaper duty,” I tell him. “I hope you’re ready…”
He smiles so wide, blowing raspberries on Alison’s cheeks. “I’m so ready. For all of it.”
“I love you,” I tell him, leaning over to kiss him.
He puts Alison back, then buckles her in before cupping my face and crashing our mouths together in a deep, passionate kiss. “I love you so damn much, Lennon. I can’t wait to marry you, have a dozen babies, and live happy every single day with my family.”
“Sounds perfect to me.”
Ten minutes later, the three of us are packed up and on the way to the church. It’s Hayden and Savannah’s big day, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. Ever since we got engaged a few months ago, Hunter’s dad has been making an effort to repair his relationship with his two sons. I know it’s been years in the making, and it won’t be fixed overnight, but I respect the man for trying.
“I’ll see you soon, sweetheart,” Hunter says, brushing his lips against mine, then immediately focuses on Alison. “And you too, baby girl.” He kisses her cheek, and she tries to lick him.
Hunter and I go our separate ways. He’s the best man, and I’m one of Savannah’s bridesmaids. We’ve grown closer since we met, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know her. It was entirely unexpected when she asked me to be in her wedding party, but I appreciated being included and am honored.
Savannah introduces me to her best friend, Donny, who’s the Man of Honor, and his boyfriend, William. Donny’s telling us all the juicy gossip about New York and what it’s like to live in the Big Apple. Everyone except William and me are theater actors. William tells me how he first met Donny and ended up moving from California to New York to be with him, which I found super adorable.
The bridesmaids sing, dance, and drink while we wait in the bridal suite, and they have me laughing my ass off. Alison gets passed around and loved on, and I spill the beans about baby number two. I know Hunter has probably told Hayden by now, but I still have to tell my sisters.
Maddie is coming to the ceremony to watch Alison for me, and then I invited Sophie and her boyfriend, but she sent me a text shortly before it started saying she’d see me at the reception. I didn’t have time to ask her why.
In the past six months, I’ve only seen Weston a few times. They moved in together three months ago even though I begged her not to. She wanted out of her apartment that badly. Between her busy work schedule and me being in bed by nine, we barely spend time with each other now. After seeing those bruises on her arm, I don’t trust Weston as far as I can throw him, and she’s been distant and weird when I bring it up. I miss her so much, and I’m looking forward to seeing her tonight, so I can make sure she’s doing okay but also announce the baby news.
I know it’s soon, considering Alison is only six months old and we aren’t married yet, but this baby is a blessing and will be celebrated. Since my parents have come around and accepted that I’m going to live my life how I see fit, I’m not even nervous to tell them this time. I’m so excited for Alison to be a big sister and hopefully close to her sibling like I am with mine.
Between getting ready, helping Savannah get into her gown, feeding the baby, taking pictures, and chatting with all the other girls, time flies. I walk down with one of Hayden’s friends, and as soon as Hunter spots me, he flashes me a shit-eating smirk and a wink. I can’t wait for our big day, and whether we do a huge celebration like this or elope, it’ll be one of the happiest moments of my life.
The ceremony is beautiful, and their vows to each other make everyone in the room tear up. They talk about soul mates, young love, finding each other again after ten years, and how when you know, you just know. They’re seriously a gorgeous couple, and as soon as they kiss as husband and wife, everyone erupts in cheers and applauds.
Hunter and I are summoned for pictures after, but I know Alison is in good hands with my sister so I don’t go chasing them down right away. Hayden gives me a big hug to congratulate me on the baby and then I tease him that it’s his turn now. Savannah overhears us and demands we not give him any ideas until the final weekend of her show. They’re so adorable together; it’s impossible not to feel the love radiating off them.
After almost two hours of photos, we head to the dinner, and I’m in complete awe when I see inside the reception hall. It’s a fairy tale.
“You getting wedding fever?” Hunter whispers in my ear, wrapping his arm around my waist.
“Well, considering we did everything backward, I’m not sure I want to be big and pregnant in a wedding dress.” I chuckle.
“Maybe by society’s standards, but there’s no order for falling in love, is there?” He waggles his brows, causing me to laugh at his expression.
“Got me there, Manning,” I mock.
One of the best parts of the evening was hearing the speeches. Donny had the entire room about to pee themselves with his entertaining story. I swear, we were all in tears from laughing so hard. He mentioned some psycho woman who tried to get between Hayden and Savannah and how she claimed she was pregnant with Hayden’s love child. Turned out she was pregnant, but the only way it could’ve been his was if she was the Virgin Mary and it was an immaculate conception.
“Maybe she’s related to Jenna?” I whisper to Hunter, who snorts.
“There was nothing immaculate about this conception,” he says, placing his hand over my stomach.
I smirk and roll my eyes. “Yes, everyone will know you’re swimmers are strong and mighty from now on.”
Hunter invited Mason and Liam to the reception, and once dinner was over, they showed up, wearing slick suits and all. Maddie’s face lights up, but morphs into a glare when a woman walks up to Liam and they head to the bar.
“How can I compete with that when I can’t even drink?” She groans, pouting.
“I doubt that’s why he…” I wave my hand in the air. “Is the way he is.”
“You mean an asshole?”
I shrug with a maybe expression. Liam has always been a hard guy to read. He’s brooding and grumpy, and anytime I ask Hunter questions, he tells me Liam had a rough childhood when his parents split, but leaves it at that. If Liam wanted us to know, he’d tell us.
“So where’s the third musketeer?” Mason asks when he returns with a beer.
The fact he’s asking about Sophie is pretty adorable. Kinda late in the game, considering she chased him for a year, but I’d much prefer him over Weston any day.
I check my phone and see Sophie still hasn’t messaged me back. I call her, but she doesn’t answer. Ten minutes later, she finally responds.
Sophie: Sorry, ran late. On our way now.
Lennon: Okay, I’ll meet you in the hallway! I have big news!
Something feels off when she reads my message but doesn’t reply. I want to tell her and Maddie together, so I’ve been holding my tongue all night.
“Okay, they’re finally on their way. I’m going to wait in the hall. Can you hold Alison for me?” I ask Maddie so Hunter can join me. He knows I’m not a fan of Weston, and though Sophie begged me not to say anything to anyone about the bruises, I was pissed off one day, and it slipped. Hunter was livid, and somehow, I was able to calm him down. Honestly, I need Hunter to be my buffer so I can get Sophie alone for a few minutes.
They drive up in Weston’s car—quite fast, I notice—but they don’t get out immediately after he parks. I start to worry, so I walk across the parking lot, and she finally opens the door.
“Hey!” I greet, coming over to hug her. Her face perks up, and when I pull back, I notice how heavy her eye makeup is. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, totally. We just lost track of time.” Something’s wrong.
Weston rounds the car and harshly grabs Sophie’s hand, pulling her away from me. “I need a beer. Let’s go.”
I turn around and look at Hunter with a scowl on my face.
That asshole has some nerve.
“Sorry, but I’m not a fan,” he murmurs to me as we follow them.
“Join the club.”
“He better watch it before he gets his ass handed to him,” Hunter says.
Once we’re back inside, I carefully watch Sophie and Weston. Mason and Liam eye him pretty hard as well, the guy not making any effort to be nice to anyone. Hell, he’s not even being nice to Sophie. She’s not acting like herself either, which scares the shit out of me. She’s timid and won’t make eye contact with anyone.
“I gotta run to the bathroom and change Alison. Wanna come with me, Soph?” I ask with a smirk, daring her boyfriend to stop her.
“Sure,” she says, and I motion for Maddie to come too.
Before leaving, I lean down to grab the diaper bag, then whisper in Hunter’s ear, “Watch him. I need time with Sophie.”
He flashes me a wink, crossing his arms over his broad chest. Weston would be an idiot to cross my man or, hell, any of the guys here. Mason and Liam especially.
I kiss his cheek, then walk out with my sisters following.
Once we’re in the ladies’ room, I lock the door behind us and grab Sophie’s arm so she turns toward me. “Please tell me you’re not trying to cover up a black eye, Soph. I swear to God, I will murder him.”
“It’s not what you think,” she protests weakly.
“Did he hit you?” Maddie asks, standing firm next to me.
“He really didn’t mean to. Guys, stop. Please,” she begs, her bottom lip trembling. The bastard has her so scared, and she’s defending him.
“Please explain then,” I say softly. I really want to hear how him hitting her in the eye was an accident.
“Weston was punching the wall, over and over again. I tried to stop him from hurting himself by stepping in front of him, and he accidentally decked me,” she explains, but I’m not buying it. “He didn’t mean to, and he felt really bad about it.”
Oh, as long as he feels bad about it. I internally roll my eyes.
“Why was he punching the wall?” Maddie asks.
Sophie looks down with a frown. “He lost his job a couple of days ago.”
“What? Why?” I ask.
“Showed up to work still drunk from the night before. Instead of just going home like his boss instructed, Weston started a fight and was told not to bother coming back at all.”
“Was he drunk when he hit you?” I ask, deciding to actually check Alison’s diaper while we’re in here.
“Yeah, he’s been drinking for days.” Sophie’s shoulders slump.
“So why was he driving?” Maddie asks, handing me the wipes.
“Because he wouldn’t let me drive. That’s why it took us so long to get here. I was trying to stall, get him to sober up, or I threatened to leave without him. He got really mad and wouldn’t let me go, so I said I’d wait for him if he’d stop and drink some coffee,” Sophie says, looking at herself in the mirror. “It looks worse than it is.”
“You can’t honestly keep making excuses for him, Soph. He’s a drunk, and he’s hit and hurt you on more than one occasion,” I tell her firmly. “Please, leave him. I’m scared for you.”
She swallows as if she wants to be brave, but he’s sucked all of the confidence out of her. “I don’t have anywhere else to go,” she explains softly. “I don’t have money to get my own place, and I can’t go back to my old apartment. What am I supposed to do?”
“Stay with us,” I offer. “I’ll get an air mattress, and we’ll make it work while we find you somewhere else to live.”
“It’s not just that,” she mutters. “He won’t just let me break up with him and leave.”
“What?” Maddie snaps. “What does that mean?”
Sophie shrugs as if she’s embarrassed. I get Alison redressed and place her on my hip.
“I tried to break up with him a few weeks ago when he slammed me against the wall,” she admits, embarrassed. “He left more bruises on my already bruised arms so they’re really damn sore now. He told me if I left him, he’d kill me.”
“You need to go to the police,” I tell her. “You have physical evidence, Soph. Get a restraining order and start documenting it. Put his ass in jail.”
“I’m scared, Lennon,” she says with tears in her eyes. Maddie gives her a hug, and I pull them both into my side.
“I know, Soph. We love you and will protect you, okay? Hunter, Mason, and Liam are all on your side too.”
“Just don’t say anything yet, okay? I’d rather just move my stuff out when he’s sober, tell him it’s over, then if he doesn’t take it well, we’ll get the cops involved.” Sophie wipes under her eyes, careful to avoid her right eye that’s swollen.
“You aren’t doing it alone, though,” I tell her, and we compromise.
After a few minutes, I decide to change the subject and cheer her up. “So I have some news to share…” My words get cut off by a commotion of people running and police sirens.
“What the hell is that?” Maddie says, racing toward the door.
Sophie and I follow, speed walking behind her. There’s a crowd of people huddled by the exit doors. I spot Hunter and Liam, their outfits and hair are a mess, and as soon as Hunter makes eye contact with me, his distraught look makes me panic. I’ve never seen him this shaken up before, which says a lot, considering the shit we’ve been through.
“What happened?” I ask, noticing at least a half dozen squad cars. Police officers are instructing people to stay back as they run yellow caution tape around an area.
“Your boyfriend…” Liam snaps at Sophie, his jaw twitching with anger.
“Just tell us what happened!” I shout at him.
“Oh my God,” Maddie screams, jerking our attention to where she’s looking.
Mason’s in handcuffs, his face full of blood, looking like he just got thrown from a tornado. “He’s going to jail?” I shriek. “For what? Fighting?”
Mason might not be as big as Hunter and Liam, but he’s fast and strong, especially since he has years of boxing experience.
“Weston started it,” Hunter says to Sophie, but I can tell he’s shaken up. “Things got heated, and Mason chased him outside so he’d get the hell out of here. Liam and I followed because we didn’t want a scene at my brother’s wedding. Then…” He shakes his head as if he’s struggling to continue.
“Shit hit the fucking fan,” Liam finishes, clamping his hands together behind his head. He stares out at Mason, whose eyes are glazed over, and I want to know what the hell is going on.
“Where’s Weston? Is he getting arrested too?” Sophie asks, glancing around the area in a panic. Squad cars surround the parking lot, and I notice two ambulances off to the side. One of the officers says something to Mason and roughly forces him into the back of a car, cuffed.
Sophie tries to look around the crowd of people. She turns and searches my face. “Do you see Weston?”
“Maybe they’re cleaning him up in one of the ambulances,” I suggest, trying to calm her.
“No,” Hunter and Liam say in unison, a tinge of sadness in their tone.
“Soph, he’s…” Hunter pauses to suck in a deep breath. “They tried to resuscitate him, but…”
“What?” Maddie and I gasp. Sophie grabs my arm and holds on to me as if I’m her lifeline.
Before they can explain further, one of the officers approach us, seething. “Better get your friend a good lawyer. We’re taking him in, and we’re going to need some witness statements from you two.”
“What’s he being charged?” I ask.
I’m so confused. So much is happening at once that I can barely comprehend any of it.
The cop deadpans. “For murder.”