Skye seemed relieved by those words. “Millions of generations have done it before me…I’m sure I’ll figure it out.”

  “And you’ll have Cayson. He’ll be a great father.”

  She nodded more to herself than to me. “You’re right. He will be.”

  “Feel better now?”

  Her lips stretched into a smile. “A lot better. Thanks.”

  Why was it so much easier to talk to her than my own husband?

  ***

  Slade picked me up that evening. “Hey, baby.” He walked inside without knocking then approached my desk. Everyone in the office knew exactly whom he was and they didn’t get in his way when he came to see me. Technically, half of this empire belonged to him.

  “Hey.” I finished my spreadsheet then saved the file on the computer.

  Slade approached my desk then stopped when he saw a picture on the surface. He grabbed the frame then examined it. It was an image of us on our wedding day. Slade was pulling me close and our foreheads were pressed together. “I really like this picture.” He had a dazed look on his face like his mind was somewhere else.

  “That’s why I put it there.”

  “So, it always sits right here?” He set it back down.

  “Yes.”

  He grinned. “Excellent.”

  I rolled my eyes because I knew exactly why he said that.

  “Ready to go?” He leaned over the desk and gave me a warm kiss.

  “Yeah, just let me grab my things.”

  Like always, Slade scooped everything up then put the bag over his shoulder. “Got it.”

  “You really don’t have to carry my purse every day.”

  “I know,” he said. “But it’s heavy as hell. You really shouldn’t be carrying it at all.” He grabbed my hand and held it as we walked out.

  “It just has my laptop and folders.”

  “Well, it’s pretty damn heavy.” We left the office then picked up Skye on our way.

  “Want me to stop by and get anything?” Slade asked as he looked at Skye in the rearview mirror.

  “No, I’m okay,” Skye said.

  “Are you sure?” Slade asked. “Ice cream?”

  Skye raised an eyebrow.

  I did the same.

  “Why would I need ice cream?” Skye asked.

  “Because you’re pregnant,” Slade said. “I’m supposed to get you stuff like that. Actually, I’m supposed to get you whatever you want. So, do you want it?”

  My eyes softened at his sweetness.

  Skye did the same. “No, thank you. But thanks for the offer.”

  “Alright.” Slade pulled onto the road. “Let’s head home.”

  ***

  After we finished dinner, Slade started doing the dishes.

  “I can do it,” Skye said as she came beside him.

  “Are you crazy?” He stared at her with wide eyes. “No, go sit down.”

  When I made dinner, Skye usually did the dishes and vice versa.

  “Uh…no I’m not crazy.” Skye spoke slowly like she was afraid she would set him off. “Just doing the dishes.”

  “Well, you need to sit down,” Slade said. “Go relax and I’ll bring you some tea—decaf. I read online that if you have a little bit of milk it helps with the nausea and helps you sleep.”

  He read online?

  “And ginger helps too,” he said quickly.

  Ginger?

  “Okay…” Skye clearly didn’t know what to say. “Thanks.” She sat down on the couch with a smile on her face.

  Slade was practically her butler now. Seeing him bend backwards for her was very amusing. But it was also incredibly sweet.

  I joined him and helped with the dishes. “You’ll be here all night if you do this alone.”

  “You worked all day,” he said. “And you cooked. Go sit down and I’ll finish up.”

  “You really don’t—”

  “You want me to spank you?” he threatened. “Because I’ll do it.” He spanked my ass playfully, giving me a warning.

  I headed back to the couch. “If you insist…”

  ***

  The three of us sat on the couch for the next hour watching TV. Slade had his arm over the back of my chair and he drank his beer quietly. Skye sat on the other couch, warm under a blanket.

  “You want to take a walk on the beach?” I asked him quietly.

  He turned to me, his chin slightly covered with hair from not shaving that morning. “Like a romantic stroll?” The grin on his face told me he was amused but also enticed.

  “Yeah.”

  “Sure.” He set his beer down then pulled me up. “We’re going to go for a walk. Call me if you need anything.” He spoke to Skye without looking at her.

  “You two have fun.” She released a loud yawn. “I’ll probably be asleep by the time you get back.”

  “Okay.” Slade held my hand as we walked out. We moved passed their back lawn then approached the beach. We took off our shoes then walked on the sand with our bare feet.

  “The waves are huge tonight.” The sun had almost set and there was limited light.

  “Perfect for surfing.” Not that I would ever go.

  “You’re right. I should get a board and start taking advantage of the location.” He continued to grip my hand as we walked. His forearms were lean and tight, and the definition of his veins were noticeable.

  The wind moved through my hair and I stayed close to Slade to keep warm. “You’re so sweet to Skye.”

  He shrugged and continued to look out at the ocean. “She’s carrying Cayson’s baby. I have to take care of her even if I don’t want to.”

  “I thought you never do anything you don’t want to do?” I challenged.

  “I do when my best friend is involved. His little guy is in there so I have to step up.”

  “Little guy?” I asked. “You think it’s going to be a boy?”

  “Totally. Look at Skye’s stomach.”

  “She hardly has a stomach…”

  “When you look closely enough you can see it. It really sticks out. So going to be a boy…”

  “I think it’s going to be a girl.”

  “Well, you’re stupid.”

  “Am not.” I shoved him playfully.

  He chuckled then put his arm around my shoulders. “You’re the smartest person I know and you have the tightest pussy ever.”

  “That complimented started off nice…then went to shit.”

  He gave me that smug grin I’d grown used to. “Hey, it’s a compliment. Believe me. Ask any guy and they’ll tell you the same thing.”

  “What’s tighter? My pussy or my ass?”

  He leaned toward me and growled. “Don’t go there, baby. Otherwise we might have to go skinny-dipping.”

  I looked away with the remnants of a smile still on my face. Skinny-dipping wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. “Since you’re taking such good care of Skye…maybe we should have a baby of our own.”

  Slade froze in the sand, and his hand turned ice-cold.

  What did I say?

  He looked out to the ocean, a panicked look on his face. “Shark!”

  What did he just say?

  “Did you see it?” He pointed toward the water. “I saw this massive fin. It looked like Megaladon!”

  I squinted my eyes and stared at the water. “I don’t see anything.”

  “It was just there!” He approached the water and put his hands on his hips.

  “It’s so dark. How could you see anything?”

  “A tall fin is pretty damn hard to miss.” He crossed his arms over his chest and the breeze moved through his hair.

  I stood beside him and looked across the waves but I didn’t see any sign of life. After a few moments, I resumed the previous conversation. “I’ve always wanted to have kids at the same time as Skye and I think we should—”

  “There it is again!” Slade practically jumped into the air.

  I squinted my eyes as I tried to see whatever it was he was looking at. “Slade, I don’t see anything.”

  “How could you miss it?” he asked. “It was humongous.”

  I wasn’t looking at the ocean when it happened but I would assume it would have caught my attention through my peripheral vision. I guess not.

  “That’s some crazy shit. I’m definitely not surfing here.”

  I sighed in irritation because I knew this conversation wasn’t happening tonight. Slade was too preoccupied with whatever was in the water and now I was discouraged from bringing it up. I would have to try sometime later.

  Chapter Five

  Conrad

  Theo and I met Slade for drinks after work. Since Theo was starting to come out of his shell again, I wanted to make sure he kept socializing and didn’t return to his hole.

  Slade looked exhausted and stress, like he hadn’t eaten in a week or combed his hair in a year.

  I sat across him in the booth with my beer in hand. “Why do you look like you almost got shot?”

  “Because that’s how I feel.” His beer was in front of him but it remained untouched.

  Theo sipped his beer while he watched Slade carefully. “You’re getting a divorce or something?”

  Slade didn’t respond verbally. Instead, he shot Theo a very threatening look.

  “Okay…then what’s the problem?” Theo asked.

  “Your sister is a pain in the ass.” Slade rubbed the back of his head like he was frustrated.

  “I could have told you that,” I said. “But what did she do?”

  “She wants to have a damn baby.” His voice contained his annoyance. “Like, right this second.” He groaned. “Can we just be married for a little while. I love that blonde, but damn, I fucking hate her too.”

  “What?” I blurted. “Trinity wants to have a baby? Like, right now?”

  “You haven’t even been married for a year,” Theo said. “Isn’t that a little soon?”

  “Thank you.” Slade slammed his hand down on the table. “Everyone else thinks this so why doesn’t she?”

  I shrugged. “She is crazy.”

  “Hold on.” Theo raised his hand. “Just tell her you aren’t ready. What’s the big deal?”

  “Have you not met Trinity?” Slade asked dramatically. “That woman gets what she wants and when she wants it. She’s been trying to talk to me about it but I keep acting like I’m sick or I see a shark.”

  “You see a shark…?” I never understood anything Slade said.

  “We were walking along the beach and she kept bringing it up, so I pretended I spotted a shark in the water.” Slade rubbed his temple like he had a headache.

  “You can keep stalling as long as possible, but you need to stop being a pussy and just talk to her.” I took a long drink of my beer.

  “If it were anything else, I would just tell her off. But this…it’s one of the reasons we almost broke up. It’s a touchy subject,” Slade explained.

  “Do you not want to have kids?” Theo said.

  “Someday,” Slade answered. “But not right now.”

  “What’s the rush anyway?” I asked.

  Slade shrugged then opened his mouth to speak. Then he abruptly closed it as if he changed his mind. “Don’t expect me to understand how her brain works…”

  “I assumed you would since you married her…” I jabbed.

  Slade shot me a glare. “I just hate your sister right now. Leave it at that. What’s new with you?”

  “Nothing,” I said. “Just been spending time with my lady.”

  “What did you buy her now?” Slade asked. “A car?”

  “No. But when she’s my wife I’ll buy her one.” The words left my lips without interference. I didn’t realize what I said until the damage was done.

  Theo stared at me with wide eyes.

  Both of Slade’s eyebrows were raised. “When she’s your wife, huh?”

  I took a drink just so I had something to do with my hands.

  Slade whistled. “Shit, this is getting really serious.”

  “I meant it hypothetically…” My voice didn’t sound believable at all.

  “Uh-huh…” Theo smiled as he took a drink of his beer. “I’ve seen you with her a lot, Conrad. There’s no shame in admitting this is the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with. Honestly, what are you waiting for anyway?”

  I stared at my beer like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

  “Yeah,” Slade added. “Lexie is cool. She’s blonde…and I like blondes.” He winked.

  My eyes darkened as I looked at him. “Just because you’re my brother-in-law doesn’t mean I won’t pound your face in.”

  He brushed it off. “Like you could catch me.”

  “Seriously, what’s the hold up?” Theo asked. “You love her and she loves you. That’s the end of the story.”

  I avoided his look. “Did you sleep with that girl from the other night? Stella?”

  Slade grinned like an idiot. “Ooh…what girl?”

  “Don’t change the subject,” Theo argued.

  “Too bad,” I said. “It’s annoying having all the attention, isn’t it?”

  “What girl?” Slade pressed. “Come on, spill it.”

  “Are we high school girls now?” Theo asked.

  “Depends,” Slade said. “Did you just feel her up in the bathroom or did you stick your dick somewhere?”

  I relaxed now that Lexie had been dropped. “Yeah. Where did you stick it?”

  Theo drank his beer with an annoyed look on his face.

  “Dude, did you fuck her or what?” Slade pressed.

  “I don’t ask about your relationship with Trinity,” Theo said.

  “You can ask whatever the hell you want,” Slade said while he spoke with his hands. “I fuck that little blonde—”

  “I’m her brother!” I held up my hand so I wouldn’t have to listen to whatever he was going to say. “Did you forget that in two seconds?”

  Slade shrugged. “I’ll give you the dirt later, Theo.”

  “I don’t want it,” Theo said. “I was just making a point.”

  “It’s a simple question,” I said. “Did you fuck her or not?”

  Theo fidgeted like he was uncomfortable. “Why do you guys care?”

  “Is the question really that hard to answer?” Slade asked. “You used to tell us all the dirt before.”

  “Well…things change.” Theo sipped his drink.

  “He did,” Slade said with a laugh. “That’s why he’s being uncooperative.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed.

  Theo rolled his eyes.

  “You may as well admit it at this point,” Slade said. “We know it’s true.”

  “Fine.” Theo rubbed the back of his neck. “I did. Then she left later that night and I didn’t ask for her phone number. There. Are you happy now?”

  “Very.” Slade grinned like an idiot.

  “Why was that so hard to say?” This was a good sign. It meant Theo was really moving on.

  “Because…” He fidgeted with his mug handle. “It’s depressing.”

  Slade and I fell silent.

  “I don’t like one-night stands. I don’t like feeling alone. I don’t like fucking someone in the dark just to get off. Now that I’ve had something that actually meant something…this is dull in comparison.” He looked out the window and avoided our gaze.

  Now I felt like a dick for teasing him. “It’ll get easier, man.”

  “Yeah,” Slade agreed. “You have to go through a one-night stand phase before you find your next relationship. That’s just how it is.”

  “I suppose,” Theo said quietly.

  “Did you at least…enjoy it?” I asked.

  “I always enjoy coming,” Theo snapped. “That was a stupid question.”

  “Well, I can set you up with someone,” I offered. “I have a lot of girlfriends and Lexie does too.”

  “I can get my own dates,” Theo said. “But thanks.”

  “I don’t have any girlfriends,” Slade said. “At least none that I haven’t slept with. And double-dipping is just awkward.”

  “Double-dipping?” I asked.

  “You know, where I stick my dick inside her then someone I know does the same thing.” Slade had a serious look on his face, like what he just said wasn’t crude.

  I shook my head and turned to Theo. “Ignore him.”

  “Way ahead of you man,” Theo said as he took a drink.

  Slade eyed his watch then turned to me. “I have a show this weekend. You coming?”

  “A show?” Theo asked. “The band is back together?”

  “Yeah, I replaced my other guitarist,” Slade said. “And she’s fucking awesome.”

  “It’s a girl?” I blurted.

  “Yeah,” Slade said seriously. “And she’s really good. It’s like her fingers were made to slide across strings.”

  “That’s cool,” Theo said. “I’ve never known a girl any good on the guitar.”

  “Bro, she’s better than me,” Slade said with a smug look. “The second I heard her play I knew she was made for the band.”

  “Is she hot?” I asked.

  Slade shrugged. “The other guys are obsessed with her. That should answer your question.”

  “I’m surprised Trinity isn’t jealous,” I noted.

  “Jealous?” Slade said it like it was funny. “What does she have to be jealous of? I worship the ground that woman walks on. My dick only gets hard for her.”

  I cringed. “Dude, censor yourself.”

  “Sorry.” Slade shrugged. “You guys don’t look anything alike so sometimes I forget you’re related.”

  “Now let’s get back to Lexie,” Theo said. “You going to pop the question or what?”

  Why did we have to talk about this at all? “No comment.”

  “It’s us,” Slade said. “You can talk to us about girly shit like this.”

  “Yeah, man,” Theo added.

  “Just stay out of my relationship,” I said defensively.

  Slade raised his hands in surrender. “Bro, we’re just trying to help.”

  “Stop calling me bro,” I snapped.

  “Man…someone’s uncomfortable.” Theo eyed me as he took a drink.

 

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