Taking a deep breath, I slowly release it. “What do we need to bring?”
The three of them cheer at my acceptance of the situation.
I love my crazy family.
The next day, Dawn and I tag-team cleaning the house then just kick back and relax in the afternoon. She keeps grinning at me, more excited about this than I am. That’s when it hits me—there must be more.
“What are you so happy about?”
“I want you happy,” she says.
I watch her as she bites her bottom lip before quickly releasing it. If I didn’t know her so well, I wouldn’t know it’s a tell.
“Which one?” I ask her.
“What do you mean?”
“Which one of the guys do you have your eye on?”
She blushes, which is not something that I see my best friend do often. Hell, ever.
“Mark.”
“Nice.” I grin at her. “You didn’t have to drag me along just to hang out with them. You and Reagan have hung out a few times.”
“Yeah, I know, but it’ll be easier if you’re there. Besides, you need to stop hiding and jump in the deep end. Let life take you on the journey, Kendall.”
I think about what she’s saying and realize I kind of have, in a way. At least I thought I had. I haven’t heard from Ridge since early yesterday. I started to text him goodnight last night, but I don’t want to be that girl, the clingy ‘have to see you and talk to you all the time’ kind. Not to mention that we aren’t in a relationship. He told me he wants me, but that doesn’t mean that whatever this is will be going anywhere.
“Yeah,” I finally answer her. “We’ll see how tonight goes.”
A few hours later, we’re pulling into Reagan’s driveway. For some reason, I’m nervous knowing she and Dawn talked about me and Ridge.
“Hey hey,” she says, greeting us on the front porch. “I’m all set.” She’s carrying a huge Crock-Pot.
“What you got there?” Dawn asks.
“Meatballs. Tyler loves them and begged me to make them for tonight.”
“Tyler, huh?” Dawn grins.
“Wait a minute. What did I miss?” I question.
“I kind of sort of have a thing for one of my brother’s best friends.”
“Nice.”
“Oh, hush, you. You want my brother.”
Dawn laughs, and we both turn to face her.
“And you, you have your eyes on Mark,” Reagan points out.
Complete silence, until the three of us break out in laughter at the same time. After we compose ourselves and keep the meatballs from eminent disaster, we load up and head to Ridge’s place.
“So, I have a confession,” Reagan starts. “I didn’t tell him you were coming.” She looks at me briefly in the rearview mirror.
“Is that going to be an issue? I don’t have to go.”
“No, he wants you there. He said he was going to invite you, but you already had plans. I decided to intervene.”
“Great,” I mumble.
“Trust me on this, Kendall. He’s not going to be anything but thrilled to see you walk through his front door.”
“So, Tyler?” I ask, changing the subject, and we spend the rest of the drive listening to Reagan tell us how she’s crushed on him for years. We both encourage her to tell him how she feels, but she’s still resistant.
Maybe I need to intervene as well.
Last night and today have been . . . an adventure. Knox was up and down all night, and he’s been fussy all day. I’m struggling right now and scared as hell. I should have called Mom, but she has him every day. Reagan was working at the shop, and the guys . . . Well, they’re like me and know nothing about babies. I started to call Kendall, but I don’t want her to think I only want her because she’s willing to help me with my kid.
So here I am, a half hour before everyone is supposed to show up, and the house is a wreck. Knox and I are both tired and cranky, and I don’t know how I’m going to get through the night. The guys don’t want to hang out with me being in a pissy mood, with a baby who’s unhappy as well. Not exactly what they would call fun times.
I’m just about to call and cancel when I hear a car pull up in the drive. Of course, today of all days someone would be early. Knox cries, and I gently bounce him and pat his little butt. “Shhh, Daddy’s got you, bud. I don’t know what’s wrong. I’m sorry. I wish you could tell me what you needed. I’m failing you, and I’m so fucking sorry.” Instead of soothing him, he cries harder. I begin pacing the floor again, surprised I have carpet left as many trips as we’ve made today.
“Anyone home?” Reagan calls out.
“Hey, bud. Aunt Reagan’s here. You want to say hi?”
He continues to cry.
“Hey,” she says, coming to stand next to me. She places her hand on his little back. “What’s up, sweet boy?” she coos, and he quiets a little. She looks up at me. “How long has he been like this?”
“He barely slept last night, and he’s been fussy all day. I was just getting ready to call and cancel.”
“Why the hell didn’t you call me or Mom? You know we would have come over to give you a hand.”
“Because he’s mine!” I yell at her, which causes Knox to cry harder. “Shhh, Daddy’s sorry, bud. Shhh,” I try to soothe him. “He’s my responsibility. I have to learn how to do this, Reagan. What will I do if you or Mom isn’t there to bail my ass out, huh? Then what do I do? This is my fucking life now. I have to learn how to do this, to deal with my son when he’s fussy.”