Sitting across from Grayson out on the patio at Olive Owl, I can’t stop staring at the ultrasound photo. Even when I showed him, I snapped it back within seconds because I want to marvel some more at my son or daughter.
He or she is half of me. I’m going to be a father, and the moment I heard the heartbeat it all sank in, and the best excitement and an unknown fear came over me.
“You’ll be good at it, Bennett. So why have you barely smiled in the last five minutes?” Grayson gives me an inquisitive look.
I sigh and wish he would just figure it out, so I don’t have to say it. “There are a lot of unknowns ahead.”
“You mean Kelsey and you?” He chuckles at me. “Nah, you know the answer to that. You two were at it for months. No fuck-buddy goes on for that long unless there is something underlying, something more.”
“Maybe.”
“No maybe. But you two kids will figure it out, and you know it too. So, what’s really bothering you?”
Glancing off into the horizon and the late-morning sun, I return my gaze to Grayson and know he won’t let it go. “Mom died giving birth to Lucy.”
Grayson freezes in place and acknowledgment floods his eyes. “It was a rare and unfortunate instance.”
It was, but I was eleven when it happened, and I remember the weeks that followed. I buried it in the back of my head until Kelsey and I made our way to the doctor the other day.
I shrug off his answer.
“One week at a time, Bennett. Focus on today, which is going to be hysterical.” He reaches across to nudge my arm and gives me a reassuring look.
My eyes go wide. “Knox enjoys when I suffer, but I didn’t think you would.”
His grin spreads. “It’s not every day I get to witness my younger brother get roasted by Dr. Bridge because you knocked up his daughter. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“Thanks.” I roll my eyes and my mind shifts to the fact that Kelsey’s parents are coming over for lunch, and luckily Grayson and Brooke are joining us to ease the tension that is probably going to be thick as the skin of the pumpkins that are surrounding Olive Owl right now.
“Also, need to tell Lucy,” I say, just as I see my sister return from visiting her horse. The initial plan was to keep things quiet until Kelsey hits twelve weeks, but thanks to Knox telling my brother about the pregnancy tests landing on my table and a run-in with Dr. Bridge on an elevator, that plan wasn’t meant to be.
My sister smiles coyly as she comes to flop on a chair across from us. Her jeans have more rips than I can count. Her hair’s in a high ponytail and her face is bright, but her eyes narrow in on me. We each have a special relationship with her, and the last few months, I helped her get her license.
“So, big brothers, you wanted to talk to me before lunch? Brooke let me know the guest list.” She flashes me a little I’m-waiting-for-you-to-spill smile.
I rake my hand through my hair, and Grayson is trying to control his grin.
“Yeah, I wanted to tell you when we got the confirmation, but—”
“You got Kelsey pregnant, and yes, I know you two have been doing the whole friends-with-benefits thing,” she finishes my sentence.
Well, she just made this easy. “How did you know?”
“Knox was a little loud the other day when he announced the news, and you and Kelsey? You suck at the sneaking-around part. Like, literally, my brothers have no game when it comes to that skill set. Kendall said she saw you and Kelsey parked near the forest one day when she was ditching class.”
Grayson and I look at one another because if feels like our sister is telling us off.
I lean forward and rest my arms on my knees. “Okay, well, thanks for your opinion. Just wanted to let you know that I’m going to be a dad and let this be a lesson that birth control is essential.”
Lucy shudders and a disgruntled sound escapes. “What is with everyone wanting to give me the birth control talk? This is like the third in months. I get it. Don’t be stupid like my brothers.”
Grayson cuts in, offended. “Birth control doesn’t always work, so how about you take our advice and wait for the guy. Even better, wait about ten years.”
Her face flashes us some serious attitude. “Right, because in ten years, when I am twenty-seven like Bennett, is when I most definitely can’t get accidentally pregnant, because that never happens.”
“Fuck. Can we end this bad attempt to discuss responsible you know what?”
“Agreed.” She crosses her arms.
“Just go easy on Kelsey, and when her parents come, just take Rosie and stay away from what feels like a scene from the Hunger Games,” I plead.
“Is that why you’re doing this when Knox is away for the weekend?” She gives me a knowing smile.
“Exactly. There are certain members of this family who take pleasure in awkwardness. I’m beginning to think you are on that team,” I warn her.
She breathes out and seems to be changing her demeanor. “I get to babysit when the baby comes?” She lifts her head in curiosity.
“Sure, but I’m discussing your rates with Grayson so that you don’t strongarm us against each other,” I counter.
“You got this, Bennett.” Then her sincere sisterly-love smile graces her face and I’m grateful because I can use all the encouragement I can get.
Kelsey stops pacing the dining room when I walk in, and she comes to me instantly. She’s extra pretty today, wearing a dress I’ve never seen on her, but there are too many of those cute little buttons for my liking and her hair is curled, falling behind her shoulders. I notice she is putting in extra effort today to appear strong, when I know she has a peculiar relationship with her parents.
She reaches her fingers out to touch a button on my white shirt and she fidgets with the fabric.
“I forgot you Blisswood men clean up nicely.” She attempts to smile but I can see she’s anxious.
I touch her shoulders to pause her in place, and as much as I should fear Dr. Bridge, my shower thirty minutes ago brought back cocky Bennett who is ready to rock n’ roll. I’m going to nail this lunch with the grandparents of my child.
“Relax, Kels. Helen made quite a spread, and Brooke decorated the table. I told Grayson to unlock a bottle of the good stuff. Knox is nowhere in sight. We can do this.”
For years, Helen has worked for us part-time. The woman in her fifties can make quite a breakfast and lunch plate too. And today I needed to call in the big guns, so I’m going all out. I need to reassure Kelsey’s parents that I can provide for Kelsey and the baby.
Kelsey gives me a blank look. “Bennett, you TPed our house junior year.”
I grin to myself. “Good times, but so did the rest of the football team. And come on, that was years ago. Your dad was here for a wine-tasting in the spring and seemed okay with me.”
“I’m sure he was, until the moment he figured out that we are pregnant out of wedlock.”
I catch her hands to interlace with mine. “Trust me, we’ve got this. Who cares what they think? What matters is you and me and what we do for the baby.”
Her beautiful long lashes bat a few times, and I know our us conversation has to come at some point.
The clearing of a throat causes us to look at Brooke who has Kelsey’s parents in tow, along with Grayson who has a bottle of wine in his hands. “We have guests,” she says, trying to throw us a reassuring smile.
I remind myself that I’m going to own this moment. Make it clear I give zero fucks about their opinion and that Kelsey shouldn’t either.
But the gentleman approach is my first strategy.
Walking to her parents, I offer my hand out. “Dr. Bridge.” His grip is a little too firm for my liking—well, actually, he may be trying to break my hand. I throw on a charming grin as I focus my attention to Kelsey’s mother. “Cheryl, is that a new sweater? The color looks good on you.” Yeah, I’m laying it on thick, and my confidence leads me to try a first-name basis since I once caught her eying me in the frozen pizza section of the grocery store.
I also have no shame that flirting with my baby mama’s mother is the way to win this afternoon. Her little blush even confirms my approach.
“Bennett,” Cheryl playfully warns and greets me.
My overdone smile doesn’t fade. “It’s wonderful that you both could come out to Olive Owl. We are quite busy these days with pumpkin season, and we have a wine-tasting event later tonight. Did you hear we’ve been nominated again for our red wine this year?”
We all move to find a seat at the table.
“Considering your supposed success and obvious intelligence, it’s quite baffling you couldn’t seem to prevent impregnating my daughter,” Dr. Bridge states clearly in a stern tone.
Yikes, not even twenty seconds in.
“Daddy, that’s not fair. I think we’re both responsible,” Kelsey mutters as she attempts to keep a smile on her face.
“This wouldn’t have happened with your brother.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, Alex is a neurosurgeon and can do no wrong.” The annoyance seeps through Kelsey’s voice as she aggressively pulls out a chair to sit on.
“I just don’t understand how you—a daughter of a doctor, a sister of a doctor—could not understand how biology works.”
I feel the intensity of Kelsey’s rage and we’re not even touching.
And that’s my cue to cut in. “Let’s just establish that we can’t go back in time and here we are. We are so excited for the little bean to enter the world. Surely, we can count on you to bring us a casserole once the baby arrives.”
Cheryl gently hits her husband’s arm. “Of course. This is just a surprise for us.”
Thank you, Cheryl, for trying to be mediator here.
We all settle at the table with a thick silence until Brooke and Grayson gawk eyes at one another to make a move.
“I have options for red or white? Anyone for wine?” he offers with a smile.
“Yes,” every adult at the table except Kelsey says in unison.
Grayson clears his throat. “Wonderful.”
“So, Brooke. Your wedding is soon?” Cheryl attempts to break the ice as Dr. Bridge stares at Kelsey.
Brooke offers an appreciative smile. “Yeah, a spring wedding. Hopefully when our new house is ready. Grayson and I are excited, just a small quick wedding in the garden, then dinner with family at this restaurant along the Rock River. Rosie can’t wait to be flower girl.”
“Oh, thought for sure you would marry here at Olive Owl,” Cheryl comments.
“I have three siblings to do that honor,” Grayson mentions as he pours the last wine glass.
“Here at Olive Owl, is this where you will have your wedding?” Dr. Bridge states to me more than he asks.
Christ, he is a ball-buster.
Kelsey looks to me and her mouth opens, but no words come out.
I jump right in. “Okay, so this is how this lunch is going to go. Yes, I will do the right thing—marriage included. Provide for Kelsey? No problem. Excited for the baby? That we are. A surprise and unplanned? No denying that. But if you can’t get on board, then leave, because seriously, we’ve got this. So, unless you plan to ask if Kelsey is craving pickles or if she is feeling okay, then this is a wasted lunch, because I noticed Helen prepared potato salad and that shit wins awards, so let’s not waste it.”
The air is sucked out of the room as Grayson gives me a wink, Brooke seems to get comfortable in her chair for the show, Kelsey’s parents stare blankly at me, and when I look to Kelsey, she has the faintest most beautiful smile adorning her lips. Her eyes have a glint, and her hand interlaces with my own under the table.
Cheryl straightens in her chair. “You are completely right. The corn muffins look delightful.”
“I baked them, the recipe you sent me once,” Kelsey gently pipes up.
Another awkward pause fills the room, and Grayson taps his fingers on the table. “How is the salon, Kels? You seem busy.”
“Yeah, it’s going really well, thanks,” she politely replies.
“You will stop working later in the pregnancy?” her father asks. “You shouldn’t be on your feet all day,” he berates as he inspects the wine in his glass.
“Well, since I own the place and plan to hire staff to help, then it shouldn’t be a problem.” The words are strained.
Internally, I hate that I fucking agree with Dr. Jackass.
Okay, take us off topic, that’s probably what I should do.
“So, Lucy, she’s on the honor roll and most likely going to do the whole Ivy League thing,” I mention.
Dr. Bridge nods. “That’s good, very good. We had hoped the same for Kelsey—”
He doesn’t finish his sentence because the sound of a fist hitting the table startles us, and we all look to Grayson.
“Hot damn, you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and quite frankly, I’m surprised Bennett and Kelsey are sitting there so calmly. But do you know what? Lucy is doing well because, despite losing her father this year, my brothers and I have raised her. It’s Bennett who kept her going in my father’s last months and Bennett who continues to help, even though Lucy lives with me. He is going to be a great dad. Just like Kelsey will be a great mom, because Rosie is always excited to see her Aunt Kelsey. Isn’t this your first grandchild? Step it up.” Grayson finishes his monologue by toasting his wine and draining his glass empty.
Cheryl eyes all of us. “You are completely right, and William will come around.” She yanks on her husband’s arm. “William,” she encourages him.
He snaps up the bowl of potato salad. “Awards, you say.”
“Anything that comes from this property wins awards.” I give him a hardened stare, and I feel Kelsey’s hand tighten in my own because this lunch isn’t going to be easy.
Walking toward the pasture where Lucy’s horse stands by the fence, I find Kelsey. The last two hours were brutal, and I feel for her. Her father must have made her feel like a complete disappointment. Kelsey disappeared when Brooke offered to show her parents out and I accompanied them.
“They’re gone. Your mother went home with pie and wanted me to remind you that ginger tea helps if you feel nauseated.” I touch her back and I feel her flinch under my hand. She even shakes off my attempt to feel her.
“That was a disaster.”
“Nah, it was memorable.”
She looks at me like I’m crazy. “My whole life it’s been like this. I can never do anything right.”
Part of me wonders if that’s why she is closed off sometimes. Is she so determined to always prove them wrong? She is generally a relaxed person—except when her parents are involved, or when I attempt to woo her post-screwing. Fuck, I wonder if her parents are the reason for her eating disorder in high school.
I try to find the silver lining. “And? Now you know what not to be for coffee bean.”
“We’re really doing that? Going with coffee bean as a name for now?”
“Our against-the-wall-in-the-barn creation could be an option but seems kind of long.” I attempt to get her to smile, and it works, but barely. “Come here.” I invite her for a side hug, and she does allow it. “Why are you here? I thought Cosmo the horse scares the shit out of you.”
“Least of my worries today. Plus, he’s growing on me, seems non-judgmental.”
“True, he isn’t one for words.”
She leans her head against my shoulder, and I enjoy the fact that she allows affection between us more, because I want to take care of her.
“You look really beautiful today, by the way.”
Her eyes grow big as she glances up at me. “Thanks. It still fits.”
The idea that her belly is going to grow soon with my baby, or that fact her tits are already a little perkier than normal, causes extra blood to flow to my dick. It’s a turn-on that I never expected.
“What can I do to make you have a good day? Because so what? Did you really think it was going to be a celebratory lunch? Least we ripped off the band-aid. What’s next on the list?”
Kelsey laughs to herself. “It’s a long list.”
“And we’ve got it. Didn’t I promise that I wouldn’t let us fuck up? Have I failed yet?”
She looks at me strangely then down to her still-flat belly and back to me.
I correct any thought she may be thinking. “Coffee bean isn’t us fucking up, it’s the way it apparently was supposed to be. It’s our path.”
“To what?” She cocks a brow at me.
Fuck, I walked us right into that one.
Divert. Divert. Divert.
I hold out my hand. “Come on, I think Helen got a bag of candy corn.”
That was a weak move, but for now, it works.