The Lost Days (Prairie Town Book 3) (17 page)

“It’s important, Kel.  It’s really important.” His thumb slid over her knuckles gently as he gazed into her eyes.  “Can you spare a minute for me?”

“Only a minute?” Her heart fluttered.  “I’d spare forever for you, Paddy.  What did you want to ask me?”

“Well, we’ve been dating for a long while, haven’t we?” He pushed his sweaty hair back from his sparkling eyes and licked his lips—a nervous habit she’d picked up on long ago.

“Almost two years now.” She nodded and giggled.  Heat crept into her cheeks as she watched some cheerleaders pass by, all eyes on Patrick’s muscular frame.  Jealousy squeezed her innards as she stepped a little closer to him.  “Two years in June, actually.”

“That’s right.  That’s a long while in my book.” His jawline tightened and relaxed as he cleared his throat.  “So, uh, I’ve been thinking about something and I can’t get it off my mind.”

“Really?” She became nervous, but only because he was acting so nervous. 

Prom was still a few months away, and it would be followed soon by graduation.  They were about to enter the real world and as terrifying as that seemed, whatever question he had to ask seemed a lot more scarier at the moment.

“Really, really.  Kelly, I love you.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the top of it, giving her a cheeky smile.  “I love you more than I reckon I’ve ever loved anybody in my life.  I never want to love anybody else.”

“I love you, too, Paddy.” She bit her lip and tried to hide the blush on her cheeks, but he hooked a finger beneath her chin to keep their gazes locked.  “I... I don’t want you to love anybody else like you love me.  I love the way you love me.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” His voice became softer, more serious, and it caused warmth to overcome her entire body.  Even her knees began to tremble as his gaze intensified.  “And I love this baby of ours, too.” His hand fell to rest against her stomach.

“Shh! Keep your voice down.” She looked around to see if anybody was watching, but they weren’t.  Thank God. 

“I’m tired of keeping my voice down about it, Kelly.  I’m going to be a daddy.  I’m not ashamed of that.”

“No, I know you’re not.  I’m not ashamed either.  It’s just...ugh.  Patrick, we’ve been through this.”

No one else knew she was pregnant yet; not her grandparents, not his parents, and thankfully, no one at school.  Their baby had been such a big secret to keep, but it was a secret she was willing to keep for as long as she had to.  There wasn’t a chance in hell she’d ruin the huge opportunity that had landed in Patrick’s lap.

He was going to get to go to college without any worries about money.  He could get a good education, a good job.  Maybe he’d become a professional athlete.

He was getting an opportunity not many in Prairie Town ever got.

Of course, she worried what it meant for the future of their child, but that was something they could figure out after the baby was born.   

They had plenty of time to figure it out.  They had their whole lives ahead of them.

She didn’t want to take away his chance at becoming something great.  Even though she made good grades and could get into a decent school, her priorities had changed the minute she found out she was pregnant.

Life had forever changed on the night she took that test.

She was determined to be a good mother and she’d make it work, somehow.

“I know my parents have all these big plans for me and they want me to go to college, but the truth is—”

“Oh, not this again.” She tilted her head to the side and her thick bangs fell into her eyes.  He quickly pushed them away and cupped her face. “You’re only going to be two hours away and you’ll get to come home for the holidays.  I’ll be right here waiting for you, always.  You know this.”  Resting her hand against his resting upon her stomach, she smiled.  “We’ll be waiting.”

“I know that, but...”

“But what?  Paddy, you can’t seriously be considering throwing away your scholarship because of me.  Please tell me you’re not.”

“I might be.”

“Paddy, no.” She pulled away and crossed her arms over her chest. “You earned that scholarship; you worked hard for it.  I’m not going to just let you give that up because of me.  I mean...no.  Just no!  That’s stupid.”

“It ain’t stupid.” He frowned.  “Kelly, leaving you and our baby behind for even a second, it ain’t an option for me.  I can’t stand the thought of being that far away from you for that long.  What will happen to you and him—or her—when you go into labor?  Your grandparents will flip their lids and you know it.”

“I’ll deal with it when it happens.”

“Bull crap.  Kelly, Baby,”—he sighed—“I’m going to be a daddy and daddies don’t just up and leave to chase a dream that may not even become a reality.  This,”—he touched her stomach with both hands, so gentle and loving—“this is reality.  Whether you want me to or not, I’m staying.  I want to be there for you and the baby.  I want to be a father.  And...and I’d like to be your husband.”

She released a soft breath as a lump formed in her throat.  Had she heard him correctly?

“Kelly, I want you to marry me as soon as we graduate.  I don’t care if we have to go to a little chapel with a witness to do it; I want you for life.  I want this—you, me, and our baby—more than anything else.”

“Oh...Oh, Paddy.  I...” Her voice escaped her as tears blurred her vision.  It was probably just her hormones being thrown out of whack again, but she couldn’t keep the tears at bay as he dropped to one knee, right there in the center of the gymnasium.

“Kelly Denise Jones, will you please marry me?”

Gazing down at her messy haired boyfriend, everything else ceased to exist.  The worries of tomorrow vanished into thin air and all she could concentrate on was the fact the man she loved more than life itself wanted her.

Her.

And their baby.

For the rest of forever.

“Yes.” The word slipped past her lips without a second thought.  “Yes, Patrick!”

That adorable, boyish grin she’d fallen for long ago spread across his lips as he pulled her hand back to his mouth for another kiss.

“I ain’t got a ring for you yet, Kel, but when I can afford it you’ll have the prettiest ring in town.  I promise.”

Gazing down at the ring on her left hand, tears began to fall without mercy.  Her bottom lip quivered and it was all she could do to keep herself together, again, as Lydia touched her arm gently.

“Oh my god, Kelly.  Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She strangled on the words as a sob escaped.  “I’m really okay—I swear I’m okay.  I just...sometimes I just miss him so much.”

“Oh, Kelly.  Oh, no.” Lydia quickly rounded the table and wrapped her arms around her, hugging her tightly.  “That was so insensitive of me.  I wasn’t thinking...I’m so sorry.  Please don’t cry.”

“It’s okay. Really.” She buried her face against Lydia’s shoulder and allowed her heartache to rear its ugly head once more.  Sometimes it just couldn’t be helped.  “God, I miss him.”

“I know you do, sweetie.  Oh, I feel so awful.” Lydia’s hand moved up and down her back comfortingly.  “I cannot even begin to imagine what it feels like, Kelly, but you’re so brave.  You’re so strong.”

Bravery and courage paled in comparison to the aching of her heart; nothing could be done about that. Waking up every morning and looking into the eyes of her children, seeing so much of her husband in them was often excruciating. But she was grateful to have them—to have those little pieces of him.

“Please don’t cry anymore.” Lydia sniffled.  “You’re going to make me cry and it took almost an hour to get my eyeliner right.”

Laughing weakly, she pulled away and wiped at her eyes.  “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.  I’m the one who should be sorry, and I am.  I’m so very sorry.”

“It’s okay, really.” Sucking in a calming breath, she forced a smile and peered up at her friend.  “I don’t want to dampen our lunch together.  We get so few these days.  Besides, you won’t be able to have as many with me when Callum’s little one comes to stay with you.  What’s his name again?  Byron?”

“Mm, yes.  Byron.” Lydia returned to her seat and sank down, eyes dimming with worry.  “I don’t know how I feel about it, Kel; I’ll be honest.  I’m terrified.”

“That’s completely normal.  Try not to worry so much.” She smiled.  “I’m sure you’re going to love him and he’ll love you, too.  When do you get to meet him?”

“We’re supposed to have a picnic with him sometime next week.  His mom said she’d call me to arrange it, which is weird.  Why does she want to talk to me?”

“Um, maybe because you’re Callum’s wife and she wants to make this as easy for you as possible?” She shrugged.  “It’s just an idea.  At least she’s trying to be polite about it.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Lydia rested her chin against her fist and groaned.  “Ugh.  What if he totally hates me?  What if Callum can’t have a relationship with him because of me?”

“That’s a stupid thought to have.  You are a lovely person, Lydia.  I don’t understand how the kid couldn’t adore you like we do.” She took a sip from her glass.  “It’s not because you’re worried about...”—she looked her up and down, nibbling her lip—“well, you know...?”

“About the fact I was born with different body parts?” Lydia scoffed and rolled her eyes.  “Of course not.  Don’t be ridiculous.  That’s so stupid. That’s...”—she bowed her head—“...exactly the problem.”

“Oh, Lyds.  No.” It was her turn to get up and comfort her friend.  Resting her chin against the top of Lydia’s head, she sighed heavily.  “You are the most wonderful, beautiful, caring person on this planet.  Byron is so young; he doesn’t know how the world works yet.  He hasn’t been jaded and you can work that to your advantage, Lydia.  Spending time with him will give him a chance to get to know how amazing you are.”

“I know, but what happens when he finds out the truth?  When his mother finds out the truth?  What if she takes him away from Callum?”

“If she’s any kind of decent person, she won’t.  But don’t rush into telling the kid anything until he’s old enough to understand.  Just give him a chance to get to know you.  When you’re ready to tell him the truth, it won’t matter to him.  He’ll love you so much and it won’t even matter.”

“You think so?” Lydia mumbled, resting her hands against Kelly’s arm as it wrapped around her shoulders.

“I
know
so.  Just you wait and see.”

—————

D
evin

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he glanced up from the board he’d just finished hammering into place and watched Nick take a drink of water. 

His eyes were glued to his luscious lips, wrapped around the mouth of that bottle, and his pants instantly became tighter.

Christ, he’s hot.

Things had gotten...complicated since their heart-to-heart talk, which led to the hottest make-out session of his life—not that he could remember any others before then—and the most amazing blowjob he’d probably ever experience.

Nick was a good man, and even if he had no recollection of what he liked before his accident, Devin really, genuinely liked him.  He wanted to be the good person he knew he could be, because of Nick. 

He has faith in me.  I don’t want to let him down.

“Enjoying the view?”

Nick’s deep, southern drawl pulled him out of his inner turmoil and Devin’s eyes snapped to his, embarrassed for having been caught gawking.

“I don’t mind, you know.” Nick smiled, placing his water bottle back on the bucket they were using as a makeshift table.  “Why do you think I work out so much?  I like being looked at.  Feel free to do it any time you want.”

“I...I...uh, heh.” Laughing nervously, he rubbed at the back of his neck and turned to grab another board, but his attempt to pretend to be busy was quickly foiled when Nick’s strong hands grabbed his hips and he pulled him to his chest.

“I wasn’t finished talking.” Nick’s hot breath teased against his ear.  “What have I told you about being so shy?”

Swallowing hard, he allowed the board to fall from his grasp and he closed his eyes. 

“To stop doing it,” he replied quietly, groaning as Nick’s hand inched down his chest.

“Exactly.  Shy doesn’t really suit you anymore.  And why should it?  I’ve seen what you’ve got hiding under here.” He grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled it up, his lips tracing up and down the side of his neck.

Fuck, he’s going to kill me.

His pulse quickened and it was all he could do to keep from pouncing Nick.  The man sure knew how to get him going.

Even
if
he hadn’t considered being with a man in the past, the hands currently slipping into his pants were more than welcome.

“Mm, you’re hard again.” Nick chuckled. 

“Well...wouldn’t you be?” His heartbeat thundered in his ears.  A soft gasp escaped him when Nick’s fingers wrapped around his cock, slowly stroking him.

“I’m getting there, baby.  Don’t worry.” His teeth captured his earlobe and tugged gently.  “Can you feel it?”

He trembled as he felt Nick’s hardness pressing against his ass.

It had been a tantalizing game of cat and mouse since that evening in the kitchen.  Nick loved chasing him and he loved to be caught, but it never went further than his cock ending up in Nick’s talented mouth. 

Maybe that’s about to change.

His upper teeth sank into his lip, hard, as Nick slid his thumb across the head of his erection, eliciting another groan from him.

“So sexy,” Nick whispered, thrusting against his ass.  “I want to bury myself so deep inside you.  Do you know how crazy you make me?”

“I...I have an idea.” He barely managed to get the words out before he toppled forward.  Reaching out to grasp the side of the surprise they’d been working on for Kelly, he sucked in a quick breath as Nick yanked his pants down.  The cool room air licked up his naked backside, causing him to shiver.

“Such a perfect ass.” Nick groaned.  “I just want to bite it.”

But instead, Nick’s palm came down, hard, and he cried out from the mixture of pleasure and pain.

“Shame on you for distracting me while we’re trying to work.  You know how important this project is to me, don’t you?”