Remy snapped his fingers. “This is why we keep Frankie around. She always has awesome ideas. I just wanted to be the one to teach your kid how to cuss. I figured being the godfather would give me that honor.”
“You’re an even bigger idiot than I thought,” Frankie muttered.
“You bringing the baby mama to the party?”
I reached into the cooler next to my chair and pulled out another beer. “Yes, and if you call her that to her face, I will punch you in the nuts.” That was all Delaney needed to hear when she walked into the party. Remy would be dumb enough to do it, too.
Remy held his hands up. “All right. I get it, bro.” He leaned toward me. “Think she’ll be down with BM?”
“Who are we calling Bowel Movement? Is it Roc? He did seem like he had some shit that needs to come down the chute.” Brooks had made his way over to our chairs and made his presence known rather disgustingly.
Frankie turned around with a disgusted look on her face. “What in the hell are you talking about?”
“BM? Bowel movement.” He looked at each of us. “None of you thought of that? What did you guys think it was?”
“Baby mama,” we all said at once.
“Whoops, my bad.” Brooks sank down in the chair next to Frankie.
“You know, I sometimes wonder if the NOS fumes are going to your brain, sweetie.” She reached up and petted the side of his head. “So handsome,” she cooed.
He knocked her hand away. “Woman, ask any of these people out here and they will tell you BM is bowel movement, not baby mama.”
“Maybe we should ask Roc since you seem to think he needs one,” Remy chuckled.
“For the record,” I said to Remy, “Calling Delaney BM will also get you a nut punch.”
“Duly noted,” he murmured. “Nicknames are off the table.”
“Did you hear?” Frankie asked Brooks. “Remy’s mom is more than likely going to blow up your house.”
“What?” he laughed.
“Wait, I thought we were having the party at our house?” I asked.
Remy shook his head. “Nah, since Frankie decided to invite basically everyone within a hundred mile radius to the party, we had to move it to Brooks’ place since he lives in a fucking mansion.”
“It’s not a mansion,” Brooks insisted.
“Bro, you got five bathrooms in that place. It’s a fucking mansion,” I agreed.
Brooks shrugged. “Well, whatever. You guys are more than welcome to have your party there as long as your mom doesn’t try to blow it up.”
“No promises can be made when my mom will be there,” Remy advised him.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. Just saw you on TV.
Delaney had recorded qualifying today. Probably only for 2.5 seconds.
Well, yeah, but it was still you.
“She’s texting him,” Frankie gushed. “Look at that goofy smile on his face.”
“Bro, do you have any idea how crazy you look right now?” Remy shook his head. “He really is a goner.”
How was work? Texting Delaney was something I would rather do than listen to these assholes.
Good. Mave came over to watch the race with me. I had to stop and get ice cream and queso.
I laughed. I was definitely going to have to stop to get food for Delaney on Monday. Good, Del. I don’t like you being alone.
She’s not spending the night, Jay.
I know. It still made me feel better knowing Delaney wasn’t just sitting all alone by herself.
Just wanted to let you know I saw your handsome face on TV.
Ok. Text me before you go to bed.
Will do. Miss me.
Only if you miss me, Del.
“Done sexting?”
These guys were such assholes. “Is this payback for all the shit I gave you guys when you settled down?” I asked.
“It’s only just begun, bro. Wait ‘til the party,” Remy promised.
Good Lord. Maybe I should be worried about Remy meeting Delaney and not Leelee.
Whatever happened, it was sure to be an interesting Fourth of July.
*
Chapter Seventeen
Delaney
“Taco dip is amazing.” I licked the mixing spoon and dropped it in the sink.
“Is there actually some left?” Jay asked as he walked down the stairs, fresh from his shower.
“Yes, there most certainly is.”
Jay wrapped his arms around me from behind and laid his hands on my belly. “I still say the little guy grew in the four days I was gone.”
I rolled my eyes and grabbed the bag of shredded lettuce. I was finishing up the taco dip for the party tomorrow and planned on working on the fruit pizza next.
Jay had gotten back Monday morning and was knocking on my door a few minutes after I walked in from clinicals that night. We hadn’t been separated since except for when I had to work. Jay was lucky and was given the whole week off.
I was sprinkling the lettuce on top of the dip when a horn sounded in the driveway. “Who could that be?”
“Delivery,” Jay mumbled.
“Pizza?” I asked. Though why would the pizza delivery guy be honking his horn?
Jay chuckled and grabbed the bag of lettuce from me and set it on the counter. “Different delivery, though now I suppose you want pizza.”
I did. I had been thinking about ordering in while I was making the taco dip so I didn’t end up eating all of the fruit pizza when I made it. “Pepperoni and onion pizza does sound good,” I mumbled.
Jay turned me in his arms. “First, you need to come see what the delivery is and then we’ll get pizza, Del.”
That sounded like a plan I could get behind. “Deal, but why I do need to see what you got delivered. You go get it, and I’ll order the pizza.”
He shook his head and pulled me toward the front door. “Because the delivery is for you, not me.”
“Me?” I asked, surprised.
“Yup. Close your eyes and keep them closed until I say so. I’ll lead you.”
I closed my eyes but instantly opened one. “You promise not to let me trip?”
“Del, you really think I'll let you fall?”
I closed my eye. “No, just don’t go to fast.”
“Gotta trust me.”
Jay lead me out the front door, and it felt like we stopped when we got to the end of the sidewalk where it met the driveway. “I don’t smell anything.”
“Uh, you shouldn’t,” he laughed. “What the hell do you think the surprise is?”
“Obviously something that doesn’t smell.”
“I think that’s a good thing,” he mumbled under his breath.
“Can I open my eyes yet?” Surprises were not my thing.
“Just one more second.” Jay’s hand didn’t leave my arm, but I could hear him fiddling with something.
“Now?” I asked impatiently.
“Lord have mercy, Del. Two minutes ago you, didn’t even care what the surprise was and now you need to know.”
“Because I want pizza,” I complained. The man teased me with ordering pizza and now he was making me wait.
“Open your eyes, Del.”