Cheers go up all over the yard. People are squealing and running to congratulate them. No one sees Colton lift his wife from her chair and kiss her like a man possessed. He’s not mad, and if I had to guess, I imagine he knew she didn’t get an IUD. He’s the one who checks the mail, reading every piece in detail like the detective he is. He’s also frugal, so I don’t imagine it slipped passed him that her explanation of benefits came from the insurance company and didn’t have that procedure listed.
“I think we’ll share our amazing news some other time,” he whispers against her lips, and somehow knowing Drew is across the street, the sight of them so in love and expanding their family hits me a little harder than seeing them interact so lovingly before.
“You have to be the one to tell my dad,” Sophia says with a smile as she rests her head on Colton’s chest.
“I don’t mind.”
“He’s going to know you came inside me.”
I scrunch my nose. Did she forget that I’m sitting here?
Who am I kidding? She doesn’t care.
“I think he knows we have sex,” Colton says, the smile never leaving his face.
“He heard you that one time,” I remind her. “When you forgot they were in the living room and you jumped his bones.”
Colton winks at his wife. “Let’s go congratulate Lawson and Delilah.”
I stand when they head in that direction, stopping by Andy to scoop him up in my arms. He settles, his head leaning on my shoulder, tiny fist clutching a green truck.
“He’s going to fall asleep in the bathtub tonight,” Apollo says, joining me on my trek across the yard.
“Probably. I’m going to be up before the sun even thinks about peeking out.”
“We’re not leaving until Tuesday. I can watch him for you tonight.”
I keep my eyes focused ahead. It’s not that I don’t trust Apollo with Andy, but I haven’t spent much time away from him. It makes my skin itch just to think about going home, even if it is just across the street.
“I’ll be fine.”
“I watched him that night you were too drunk to drive home.”
“Sophia drugged me.”
“By drugged, you mean kept pouring when you asked her to?”
“I still regret that night.”
I went to Sophia’s house on my birthday. At her insistence that I not stay home and feel sorry for myself, a few drinks in her living room didn’t seem like such a bad idea. Then I woke up half on the sofa, half on the floor with a splitting headache and puke in my hair.
“He was fine.”
“I’m not going to use up all my favors just to avoid an early morning.”
He stops me in my tracks, turning me to face him. His hand runs down Andy’s back.
“It’s not a favor. You know I’d drop anything I’m doing to help you out.”
“Which Caroline found out when I asked if you’d grab a pack of diapers since you were in town a couple of months ago.”
He shrugs.
I lower my voice. “She stopped me in Wal-Mart the next week and took it upon herself to tell me she didn’t appreciate getting interrupted during sex.” I smack him with my free hand. “Who does that? Who stops in the middle of sex to run an errand?”
His smile is wide. “I told you I’d drop anything to help you out.”
“And she broke up with you.”
“We weren’t even dating, and she left the door unlocked for me after I went back over. You got your diapers she got her—” He winks at me, something that’s been easier to accept since he’s been acting more like a friend and less like a jilted lover this last year.
Something changed after Drew left. I thought Apollo would push even harder for us to be together after Andy was born, but he’s taken on more of the pseudo fun uncle role instead.
“What about Amanda?” I look over his shoulder. His date is grinning up at Jinx like she’s already head over heels for the man. “If you don’t get over there, Jinx may be the one entertaining her tonight.”
He winks again, this one a little more salacious. “That was always part of the plan.”
I smack him again. “You guys are gross.”
“We’re sexual creatures, Izzy. Orgasms are fun. You should try it sometime.”
“I do just fine,” I mutter, turning around to walk away from him.
“Your own fingers and battery-operated toys have nothing on tongues and cocks, my friend.”
This is another newer thing about Apollo. He treats me like one of the guys, a real friend, not some damsel that needs protecting. I mean my dad would probably skin him if he heard what Apollo just said, but it brings a disgusted smile to my face.
“It’s going to be a group event if you don’t get back over to your date,” I warn. “Amanda is eyeing Thumper and Legend like she’s ready to take on the entire crew.”
He bites his lip, not saying a word, and it makes my eyes widen. “You guys are so bad!”
He presses a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll be over in twenty minutes to help you get him tucked into bed.”
“You have plans.” I indicate the girl who looks like her wildest dreams are coming true right now. “I’ve got it tonight.”
“You know I wouldn’t miss it. Besides, she’ll have plenty to keep her busy. Probably won’t even know I’m gone.”
He presses his lips to the back of Andy’s sleeping head before walking back across the yard. I watch him as he goes, killing time when I notice a swarm still around Lawson and Delilah. Amanda is a nice enough girl. She works at the post office and was always kind to me when I’d go in to mail the letters to Drew. She never turned her nose up at me when she noticed the prison address and inmate number on the front of the envelope.
I look away when she grins as Apollo wraps his arms around from the back while Thumper still has his hands on her hips. Nothing says thank you for dying for our sins and rising from the dead like an Easter orgy, I guess.
I’m not hating on her. More power to her. Safe, sane, and consensual, right? If that girl wants to be twisted into a pretzel while handling five guys, more power to her.
Personally, I don’t even want to think about sex. I don’t even want to be flirted with. A cute guy winked at me at the gas station the other day, and it flustered me so much I nearly drove off without paying for my gas. I’m over cute, smirking guys. They’re after one thing and one thing only, just like Drew said in his letter. He was using me that night. I was a mistake, one that created the possibility of a lifelong commitment he didn’t want.
Now he’s back, and I’m terrified he’s going to inject himself into our lives and hurt me again, hurt us again.
I paint a fake smile on my face because it’s my turn to congratulate Lawson and Delilah on their amazing news.
Chapter 34
Drew
Staying in the house while Lawson and Delilah were across the street with Izzy and Andy was more difficult than that first night in prison when every sound, every thump or grunt from one of the other guys made my eyes widen in fear.
I wanted to be where they were even though I don’t belong, even though I trashed any chance at being welcomed.