Chapter 32

I walk back into the kitchen and see everyone is still there as when I left. Hannah is the first one to ask as I continue to chop up the peppers for our omelette.

“What did he say?” This question gets everyone’s attention. My hands are shaking because I know what will happen.

Kyle will go nuts along with the other boys. They’ll be screaming and yelling at me. I feel so weak right now.

“He still loves me and wants me back,” I say nonchalantly, continuing with chopping.

“What did you say? I knew this would happen!” Andy comes closer to me and Hannah stops what she’s doing. I feel eyes on me.

Kyle is eerily quiet so I look up to find where he is and he’s standing over to the side beside Wes and Knox who are all glaring at me, waiting for my answer.

This is the first time I’ve looked at them since coming downstairs.

“Alex, what did you say?” Kyle was getting impatient with my hesitation in answering Andy’s question.

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Jesus, Alex, please tell me you didn’t take him back!” Kyle pleaded over the counter at me. I shook my head and relief flashed across his face.

“Alex, what’s wrong?” Hannah asks me in a softer tone than Kyle to calm the situation down.

“He says he wants to marry me someday... and have kids with me... I... wh-... I’m so confused...”

“You’re not marrying him! Alex, you’re too young and I won’t let you! Fucking hell! You’re only 23, you’ve your whole life ahead of you!”

Hearing Knox crunch the can he was holding in his hand into a tin ball makes me avert my eyes up to meet his. He has fire in his eyes that I can read as pure rage.

Kyle isn’t even that angry, I mean he’s angry but Knox is on another level right now. I’m kind of scared of him right now.

“I’m going to talk with him when I go back to college, but I don’t think I can take him back. I mean he cheated on me, it’s not that simple. I saw it and can’t forget.”

“Why do I feel like there’s a but coming soon?” Hannah groaned.

“But...”

“Once a cheater always a cheater. No buts, baby doll, he’s a douchebag that cheated on you, he doesn’t deserve a girl like you. You’re too good for him,” Knox grits out between his teeth.

“But what if nobody ever loves me again?” I say quietly more to myself.

“Baby doll, someone does love you... trust me...” For once his words were reassuring but I can’t help but doubt this situation a little.

My mind is racing around in circles remembering his words when we spoke on the phone.

~I want to marry you someday and I want you to have my kids.~

Why did he say that? I haven’t even thought about it, honestly, marriage and kids scare me. I don’t see myself with someone who would actually want to marry me.

Meanwhile, I was wrapped in my own thoughts, I didn’t see the three kids enter the kitchen with empty plates in their hands giving them over to us so we could wash them.

Adam tugs me out of my own world and he stands there with his plate in hand beaming up at me. I take it from him and set it down in the sink turning around to see his hands up in the air.

I shake my head and laugh at him going to pick him up and place him on my hip. I wash the counter while he sits on my hip playing with my hair.

I look over to Wes and Knox who are looking at me leaning back on their seats.

They look like shit.

I go to the freezer and get two ice packs for them with towels and wrap them up in them. I stand in between them and place an ice pack in front of each of them.

“Here, put these on your faces, you both look like hell.” Adam turns around to Knox and pokes his cheek making him wince a little in pain. I roll my eyes and walk back into the living room with him glued to my hip.

We sit down together on the sofa and more bodies come into the room. I’m sitting in the middle of the sofa with Adam on my lap.

Andy strolls in, her hand entwined with Noah’s, and I can’t help but chuckle at the look of jealousy on Kyle’s face. My gaze follows them as they settle on the other sofa, and I feel the cushion beside me dip under a new weight.

I resist the urge to turn around, not wanting to face whoever it is. Instead, I keep my eyes glued to the TV, while Adam plays with the newcomer. I know it’s not Hannah; her humming is a soft background noise from the kitchen.

The person’s hand brushes against my arm and leg, sending sparks of heat skittering across my skin. It’s either Wes or Knox. My money’s on the latter. My guess is confirmed when Wes saunters in and takes a seat on my other side. Hannah claims the recliner across from me.

I don’t look at either boy, but I can feel Adam squirming and giggling as his uncle tickles him. I glance over at Hannah, whose eyes are darting between the two men flanking me. When her gaze meets mine, she offers a gentle smile before her eyes drift to my left, landing on Knox. Why is she staring at him? Does she like him?

Eden enters the room, a bowl of strawberries in her hands. She hands them to me to hold while she clambers onto Knox’s lap.

“Wes! Would you like some stwawbewies?” Eden asks.

I pass the bowl to him, hovering it so he can take one.

“Sure, sweetie, I would love one.” Then she asks Adam and Knox. While Adam takes one, I hand the bowl back to Eden so she can feed one to Knox.

He teases her, pretending to bite her hand, and she squeals with laughter, setting Adam off too.

We’re all leaning forward, and I sink back into the couch, crossing my legs and getting comfortable. Both boys turn to face me, but I keep my eyes fixed on the TV.

~Why do I always end up in these awkward situations?~ I wonder.

As we continue to watch Despicable Me, more people drift in and out of the room. Some stay, some leave, and most end up falling asleep around me, Adam included.

~He’s so adorable when he sleeps.~ I look down at him, his soft breaths warm against my chest. I brush his hair back from his face and smile at the peaceful sight.

Noah has fallen asleep between Kyle and Andy, who are also asleep. Wes and Hannah seem to be asleep too. I adjust Adam so we’re both comfortable, and Knox speaks up.

“He could sleep anywhere,” he says.

“I wish I could,” I reply, my gaze focused on the little prince sleeping on me. I hear a soft chuckle from Knox.

“Same. He gets that from Austin,” he says. I stay quiet, engrossed in the movie. It’s my first time watching it, and I’m actually enjoying it.

“Baby doll, please talk to me. I hate it when you’re quiet,” he whispers. But I don’t know what to say. My mind is blank.

Once the credits start rolling, I ask Eden if she’s sleepy. She yawns and nods, so I pick up Adam and head over to pick up Noah too.

“We should put them in my bed for a nap. Will you bring Eden? I’ll grab Noah and Adam,” I suggest to Knox. But a hand on my arm stops me.

“I got Noah, baby doll. You bring Adam up, and I’ll meet you there.”

In my room, I lay Adam down on my bed. Knox follows a few seconds later with Noah and Eden in his arms. He lays them down and tucks them in. I can’t help but watch the way his back muscles ripple through his shirt as he moves.

“Baby doll?” he asks.

“Hmm?”

“Look at me,” he says softly. I close my eyes and let out a long sigh before finally meeting his gaze.

“I am, Knox.”

“I mean up here.” And that’s when I finally look into his eyes. He steps closer, his hands gently rubbing my arms.

My heart starts to race, and I feel a fluttering in my stomach. ~What’s wrong with me? Did I catch a cold or something?~

“Baby doll... I’m sorry about the other night. We shouldn’t have fought in front of you... we didn’t mean to upset you... it’s just the alcohol... it got the better of us,” he says, his voice heavy with regret.

There’s a moment of silence, broken only by the soft, uneven breathing of the children sleeping in my bed.

“Alex, please, I haven’t slept since it happened. Between shopping for my mom and the fight with Wes, I can’t get your face out of my head.”

“I can’t stand it when you’re mad at me. Out of everyone I know, it’s the worst when you’re upset,” he confessed, his eyes widening slightly as he realized he’d voiced his thoughts aloud.

His hands traced a path up my arms until they cradled my head, his large palms dwarfing my small frame. He stepped closer, eliminating the space between us. His touch was feather-light, and as he leaned in, a jolt of electricity shot through me.

~What is he doing?~

His forehead rested against mine, his eyes closed. He seemed to be struggling to control his breathing, as if he was irritated with me or something similar.

I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. My own eyes fluttered shut without my conscious decision.

“Will you forgive me, Alex?” he whispered, his voice almost pleading. His words brushed against my lips, his warm breath fanning over them.

Before I could respond, his lips found mine again, the kiss gentle and cautious, as if he feared I might shatter at any moment.

I leaned into the kiss, increasing the pressure between our lips, my hands clutching the hem of his shirt, pulling him closer.

The sensation sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach, spreading from my toes to the top of my head. His lips, warm against mine, were a welcome contrast to the chill of the winter day, even though we were indoors.

The kiss was soft, intimate. I found myself kissing him back, stunned that this was actually happening. We pulled apart slightly, but my eyes remained closed.

I half-expected him to laugh and walk away, or to tease me and leave. But he didn’t. He stayed there with me. Finally, I opened my eyes to find him gazing down at me, a smile playing on his lips.

With a smirk, he said, “I’m going to find it hard to keep my distance from you, baby doll.”