Bear, page 6
Xan’s hormones must be all over the place because Roxie had no idea what this chick was talking about. “Um, sorry, I didn’t invite you to my awesome laundry party—”
“Oh, hush. You know what I mean.” When Roxie just blinked, Xan asked, “When’s the wedding?”
Roxie glared at her, finally getting on the same page as her friend and not liking the words one bit. “Check the invite Anna sent. That’s the only wedding going on around here.”
“Brody told me your honey bear popped the question.”
“So?”
“So? What do you mean, ‘So?’” Xan wrinkled her nose, glancing around. “Why do I smell syrup?”
“I had frozen waffles for dinner. Don’t judge me. My streaming service already did.” Roxie tossed the hanger down and glared at her bestie.
“Did you roll around in it?” Xan reached out and picked at a strand of hair.
“Seriously? Do I look exciting enough that I’d get to spend my Friday night jumping into a vat of syrup?”
“Good point. Now, I’ll forgive you for making me find out about your wedding through my husband—”
“I’m not getting married,” she said matter-of-factly.
“If you let me have free rein over the bachelorette party…” Xan rubbed her hands together.
“I’m not getting married.”
Xan stared at her as if waiting for a punchline. “You can’t be serious. You’re in love with that man.”
“I’m not in love with him. I’m just very infatuated.”
“That’s horse shit.”
“Yes, the proposal was a big, stinking pile of shit. He didn’t ask because he wants me. He asked because he wants to protect me.”
Xan wagged her eyebrows. “Take the protection, and you’ll have a little Xander waking you up at night, too.”
“You’re insane. You know that? I think the pregnancy fried all your brain cells.”
“You think I’m the crazy one? You have a chance to tie the man you want to you for the rest of your life, and you turned him down.”
“You mean, until the assignment’s over, and he asks for a divorce? Pass.” She picked up one of Chad’s T-shirts and folded it.
“You don’t know what the future will hold. He could fall head-over-heels in love with you by the time they find that Shadow man.”
“Why do they call him Shadow?”
“Hell, if I know. Probably because he stays hidden in the dark? He lurks around corners? Because it sounded cool to some journalist who needed a catchy headline name? I didn’t ask. Don’t change the subject.”
Roxie groaned and stood up to pick up a stack of clothes. Xan grabbed the next bundle and followed Roxie to Chad’s room and helped her put them away.
“What does it hurt going through with it?” Xan asked as they walked back into the living room for more stacks.
“Besides my heart? Chad’s heart? I don’t know, girl. Let me think.” Roxie’s comment was laced with sarcasm.
“Don’t use your son to block your happiness,” Xan said gently.
Roxie turned to her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, we tend to wear our momma roles so well we forget we’re also women.”
“Quit reading inspirational quotes on social media.”
Xan helped her put up the rest of the Chad’s laundry but didn’t let go of the topic, spouting metaphors about grabbing life by the horns and seizing the day.
When they finished with Chad’s stuff, Roxie walked into the kitchen, needing a drink. The rest of the laundry was Roxie’s underwear. She didn’t need any help with that. “You want a soda?”
“I wanna talk about this epic bachelorette party I’m throwing you.”
She turned to face her infuriating friend, but her retort died on her tongue when she saw Xan’s shirt. “Your boobs are leaking.”
Xan looked down and gasped. “Crap. Lemme go pump, and I’ll be right back.” She headed toward the door and said over her shoulder, “I’ll bring my tablet so we can look at places to book.”
“I’m not—”
Xan walked out, shutting the door and cutting Roxie off.
“Getting married,” she muttered.
Knowing her friend wouldn’t be dropping the subject easily. Roxie abandoned her sugary beverage and uncorked a bottle of wine instead. By the time she’d sipped half her glass, the front door opened.
“I told you there’d be no bachelorette party,” Roxie called out as she walked into the living room. She might as well put the laundry basket of panties up in her room to deal with later.
“Will there be strippers?” Teddy asked with a smirk. “Because I can get behind that.”
Roxie clutched her shirt, startled to see the man standing in her living room, and a little embarrassed at the dumbass thing she’d just said, thinking Xan had just come back. “What are you doing here?”
“Just picked up the boys from school.”
“Where’s Chad?”
“Just dropped him and Scott across the street.”
“Wait, I thought Brody was picking them up.”
“I said we’ll handle it.”
“No. You said, ‘Brody’s taking them some dinner before they load the bus and will pick them up when they get back.’”
“No,” Teddy said with a slight shake of his head. “I said Brody was taking them dinner and we’ll—as in we will—pick them up. Meaning, we will figure it out and take care of it. Brody’s home taking care of the baby.”
That made sense since Xan had just been here.
Roxie knew she was splitting hairs, but if her mouth was running about something, then she wouldn’t have to focus on the sexy man standing in her living room.
In snug jeans.
And a tight black T-shirt.
All alone with her.
“Chad didn’t ask if he could spend the night over there.”
Teddy took a step toward her, and she instinctively took a step to keep the same amount of distance between them. “I’m sure he’ll call and ask if that’s what he wants, but right now, I think he went over there for moral support.”
“For what?” She stepped again in the direction of the couch.
“He’s gonna call his girlfriend and ask her to homecoming.”
“They broke up.”
“I know.” Teddy smiled. “Is there a reason you keep walking away from me?”
“Is there a reason you keep advancing on me like I’m a little rabbit and you’re a big bad wolf?”
“C’mon, little momma, you know I’m more like a grizzly than a wolf.”
Roxie’s heart slammed in her chest. Every once in a while, Teddy called her little momma when no one was around to hear his voice drop seductively low, and her pussy was like Pavlov’s dog, conditioned to weep at that naughty endearment.
“Well, Bear, thanks for bringing the boys home. You can go home now.” She picked up the laundry basket and used it as a shield.
The corner of his lip curled. “But, babe, I am home.” He picked up a pair of lacy thongs from the basket, and she snatched them from him.
“Keep your hands off my panties.” Oh, geez, that came out wrong. Or right? Crap. She didn’t know. He was making her all flustered with his nearness and his hotness. Asshole.
“We’re gonna be husband and wife. Don’t you think we should consummate it?”
“What part of no did you not understand? I am not marrying you.”
“Are you sure about that? It’d be much easier if we were hitched, but if you insist, I guess we can just live together. It won’t hold the same weight as a marriage in a judge’s eye, but we can make it work.”
“Are you high?” she shrieked. “You are not moving in my house. I got one spare room, and it’s filled with storage junk.”
“That’s unfortunate. Good thing I planned accordingly.”
Teddy turned around and walked to the front door. Roxie dropped the laundry basket by the hall and stomped after him. “I don’t know what ride you think you’ve taken me on, but I want off this freaky merry-go-round right now.”
“Never had a woman beg not to ride before.”
It wasn’t her default setting when it came to this man, either, but he was being ridiculous. “You’re a caveman.”
“Been called worse, babe.”
“I know. I’ve called you every name in the book.”
He opened the door and walked out. “Believe me. I know.”
Roxie followed, deciding to make sure he left her property before locking the dang door. She opened her mouth, ready to fire out another string of sass, when the air locked in her lungs. “What…what in the ever-lovin’ Hell is that?”
Teddy turned around and pointed at the big silver behemoth sitting in her driveway. “It’s an Airstream. Drove to my dad’s old place yesterday, picked it up, and dropped it off at a dealership to get it serviced. It’s old as dirt but good as new. These suckers are damn near indestructible.”
That was completely beside the point she was trying to make. “Why do you have your daddy’s camper in my yard?”
He stared at her, and this was a look she was all too familiar with. It said he’d found the hill he was willing to die on and was not going to back down at all.
“You don’t want to get married? Fine. You don’t want me staying in your house? Also fine. But until we know no one is coming after you and Chad, that you both are totally safe and sound, I’ll be living right here. My guys are taking shifts to watch your place, but if anybody wants to get to you, they’re gonna have to get through me first.”
Words. So many confusing and hateful and shocking words flew through Roxie’s mind, but none of them made it to her dumbfounded mouth. “Your cheese has finally slid off your cracker.”
“No, babe. My cheese is holding onto your cracker nice and tight.”
If he’d have said those words to her years ago, she’d have jumped his bones. Now, they just pissed her off. She threw her hands up in the air and stormed up the porch steps.
“Don’t worry, little momma. You’ll hardly know I’m here.”
That was the biggest can of bull he’d fed her all night.
Chapter Eight
Roxie balanced two hot cocoas in her hands as she made her way up the bleachers. The weather this year wasn’t as cool as the homecoming game had been last year, but it was colder tonight than it’d been all week. Good thing she didn’t care if her yard squatter froze to death or not.
Okay, so fifty degrees wasn’t cold enough for hypothermia, but still, a woman could dream.
“Oh, gimme, gimme,” Xan said, making grabby hands for one of the beverages.
“You know this is just the powdered instant stuff, right?” Roxie handed it to her and sat.
“Don’t care. It’s chocolate. It counts.” She took a sip and hummed her appreciation. “You just missed Oz and Bryn. Bryn said Oz just wanted to make an appearance since the election is a couple of weeks away. They’re making the rounds.”
“Politics,” Roxie grumbled.
“Where are the others?” Xan asked, looking around.
“Well, let’s see…Caitlin stopped and talked to the sports reporter that’s covering the game. Maya had to pee and forced Heather to come with her. Roc grumbled while Maya tugged her arm. It was priceless,” Roxie singsonged. “Shelby saw Mason pulling up and went to the parking lot to meet him. Anna and Viola are still in line getting nachos and talking smack about some former federal agent that got knocked up by a prisoner she was transporting.”
“What?” She gasped. “How scandalous.”
“I’m sure they’ll tell you all about it if you ask. I wanted to get back up to see the girls do their routine.”
“You’re just in time. Malorie and Becca are about to go on.” Xan pointed to the left, and Roxie watched as they tumbled out onto the field for their moment in the spotlight. “I can’t believe neither one made homecoming court.”
“It’s a silly popularity contest that needs to be abolished.”
“Bitter much?” Xan asked and chuckled.
“You’re damn right. I would’ve beaten Bobby Jo if she hadn’t screwed half the football team.”
The cheerleading squad finished up their dance, and Roxie and Xan jumped up and cheered along with the girls. When the girls finished, they shouted for Malorie and Becca.
“I think Scott was feeling guilty about going to the dance and Chad not being there. I’m so glad Becca’s going with Chad now.”
“You and me both, girl. He’d been so down since she’d broken up with him. I think it’s that little heifer’s fault,” Roxie said, pointing to Tasha as her father walked her across the football field. “If they crown her queen, I’m demanding a recount.”
Xan snorted. “Retract those momma claws. She’s just a kid.”
“Who sabotaged my boy’s relationship and crushed his precious little heart.”
“Allegedly,” Xan said, drawing the word out. “But they’re back together now. You should focus on your own relationship crisis.”
Xan pointed at Teddy as he stood on the track alongside the field with the rest of the Bang Shift men. Roxie grabbed her finger. “I don’t have a relationship.”
“Who’s in a relationship?” Anna asked as she climbed up the stands. Viola, Caitlin, Shelby, Heather, and Maya followed her.
“Does this have anything to do with the man who’s living in your grass?” Heather asked.
“You mean the man who wants to plow her field,” Shelby taunted.
“Who’s getting plowed?” Maya asked.
“Jesus, can y’all keep it down? I don’t want everybody in town all up in my business,” Roxie whispered heatedly.
“I know who wants all up in your—”
“Shelby,” Roxie said and swatted her arm as she sat down.
“Where’s Mason?” Xan asked, probably trying to save the woman from the beatdown she was about to get.
“He’s over by the field talking to my brother. Where’s the baby?”
“In his carrier.” Xan pointed at her feet.
The buzzer sounded, indicating that halftime was over, and the football teams ran back out onto the field. They were down by six points, and Roxie hoped the boys turned the momentum around. Winning the homecoming game their senior year would be a great highlight of their high school year. Of course, she’d give him a comforting pep talk if they didn’t pull this off.
The boys lined up for the kickoff. Since they’d received the ball at the start of the first half, they were kicking to the other team now.
Anna leaned over Roxie’s shoulder. “Please tell me you’re secretly dragging that brooding man into your bedroom after Chad goes to sleep, so you can have your naughty, wicked way with him.”
“No,” Roxie said and sipped her lukewarm cocoa. “He blew his chance a long time ago.”
Anna sat back with a huff.
“But did he really?” Xan whispered.
“I’ve been thinking this week,” Roxie said, looking at her bestie.
“Uh-oh.”
“What if it’s not that he doesn’t remember the night we spent together, but that he regrets it?”
“Not a chance,” Xan immediately said. “I find it hard to believe anybody could forget a night with your feisty ass, but there’s no way he’s hiding behind regret. He may be moody as hell, but he doesn’t play those kinds of games.”
“He’s done nothing but jump between hot and cold since I met him. If that’s not playing me, I don’t know what is.”
Xan nodded slowly. “All right, I’ll give you that. It’s clear he’s struggled with his feelings for you for some reason, but Brody is like a brother to him. Bear knows the struggle my husband went through with his amnesia. I just don’t think he’d fake something so close to home like that.”
Roxie sighed. She hadn’t thought about it like that. “You’re probably right. He is pretty honorable. It just doesn’t make any sense.” Plus, it wouldn’t explain the flowers. Why send them to her the morning after if he was going to pretend the night hadn’t happened?
“He either really doesn’t remember or he’s avoided the topic and let you jump to your own conclusion.”
“That’s not helpful.” At. All.
“What are we whispering about?” Shelby asked in a mock whisper as she leaned over.
“Nothing,” Roxie and Xan said in unison.
“Thanks for emailing me those photos you had of Chad with his father. It’ll help with the investigation.”
“No problem.” She’d only had a few. She could’ve handed them to Teddy when he’d asked her about them the night he’d started stealing her electricity, but she’d been too busy calling him every name in the book and avoiding his stubborn ass.
“Intercepted!” the announcer shouted.
“Oh, my god, that’s Chad,” Xan said.
Roxie leaped from her seat and jumped up to see over the group of players gathered around him, protecting him as he ran with the ball. He’d never intercepted the ball before. As a defensive tackle, he wasn’t usually in a position to pick off the ball. Holy crap, this was huge for him. As the other team got closer, she cringed, not wanting her baby to get pummeled.
“He’s at the forty…the thirty…the twenty…” the excited voice continued. All the guys in the Bang Shift jogged on the track alongside him, shouting and jumping.
“Cheese and rice, he’s gonna score,” Roxie breathed as he got closer to the end zone.
“I’m getting it,” Anna said, holding up her phone.
Chad crossed the line, the referees singled it was good, and the stands went wild. Roxie screamed and cheered as her little man threw his arms up in the air and rushed toward his team in celebration. Scott charged toward him, and they bumped chests in the air. Xan and Roxie giggled and clapped for their sons’ excitement. The emotion was infectious throughout the stands.
“He tied up the game,” Heather said, bouncing beside her.
The kicker ran onto the field, and the extra kick was good. They now led by one point.
