Always Ever After Read online

  “Yeah.” She smooths her hair down again. “Is it warm up here? I’m a little warm.”

  “I guess. Maybe it’s all the phone sex you were having with Ronan.”

  She gasps.

  I glance at her. “Did you really?”

  She touches her fingers to her lips and smiles. “Maybe.”

  The elevator opens and we both get in. Thankfully, there’s no one else inside. “You little minx.”

  “Hey, don’t judge,” she says. “That man can do it for me from three hundred miles away. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  “I’m not judging,” I say. “I may have been on the phone with Braxton when you texted, and…”

  “Kinky,” she says. “And, ew.”

  I laugh. “I won’t give you details. Fuck, I miss him. Don’t get me wrong, this weekend is wonderful. But he and I haven’t really spent any time apart since we got married. Is that weird?”

  “I don’t think so,” she says. “And it’s sweet that you miss him. I miss Ronan too. I always do when he’s gone.”

  Selene and Ronan are not only getting married, they work together. He has to spend some of his time in San Francisco, so they have weeks when they’re apart. But they seem to have adjusted to their new life really well.

  I could not be more excited for her to get married. I’ve wanted this for her for so long, and Ronan is amazing. He’s kind of insane, what with his penchant for jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, and climbing sheer rock faces. But he’s crazy about Selene, and I think she’s just what he needs to keep him on his toes.

  We get down to the hotel bar and find a small table. The bartender comes to take our order, and Selene asks for more time. He brings us a couple ice waters.

  Selene fiddles with her necklace and keeps glancing away.

  “What’s going on with you tonight?” I ask. “Is it that hard to pick a drink? Just order a martini.”

  “I’m not sure if I want to drink tonight,” she says.

  “Okay,” I say. “I guess there’s no rule that says we have to get wasted this weekend. Although it would be fun. Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” she says. “Maybe I’ll see if they serve dessert in here instead.”

  It’s not that Selene and I are raging drunks, but we usually enjoy a cocktail or three together. And this is her bachelorette weekend. I assumed getting tipsy was on the agenda.

  But it’s her weekend, so I just shrug. “Okay.”

  The bartender comes back, and Selene orders a coffee and a slice of cheesecake. I decide to follow her lead and order the same. We chat for a few minutes, and our coffee and desserts arrive.

  Selene picks at her cheesecake for a while, barely touching her coffee.

  “Okay, babe,” I say, putting my fork down. “What’s going on? Is it the wedding? Is something going on with Ronan? You’ve been acting weird all day. What’s up?”

  “No, Ronan is great,” she says. “And the wedding … it’s basically done. I guess maybe I’m just nervous.”

  “It’s going to be wonderful,” I say. “I was nervous for my wedding, too, but I promise it will be amazing. And Ronan is so perfect for you.”

  “I know he is,” she says. “It’s not that at all. I want to marry him. I can’t wait to marry him.”

  “Then what is it?” I ask. “I know you. Something is bugging you.”

  She takes a deep breath. “Ky, I’m late.”

  It takes me half a second to get her meaning, but then my eyes widen. “Oh, shit. Do you think—”

  “I don’t know,” she says. “I bought a test before we left, and I was going to take it when we went back to our rooms earlier, but then Ronan called.”

  “So that’s why you’re not drinking,” I say. “Oh my god, Selene, this is so exciting. Did you say anything to Ronan?”

  “No, I didn’t want to make him panic,” she says. “We haven’t really talked about having kids. Not seriously, at least.”

  “Are you worried he doesn’t want to?”

  “A little,” she says. “He’s never said he doesn’t want children, but he’s never specifically said he does. I know I really should have brought this up with him sooner. What if he doesn’t want kids? And what if … fuck, Ky, what if I’m pregnant?”

  “Honey, there’s only one way to find out,” I say. “Did you bring the test?”

  “Yeah, it’s upstairs.”

  “Let’s go do it,” I say. “I know you’re scared. I’ll be with you the whole time, okay? And listen, Ronan loves you. If you’re pregnant, even if it’s a huge surprise to him, he’s still going to love you. I bet he’ll be thrilled.”

  I pay our bill and we head back upstairs to Selene’s room. I put my purse down and sit on the bed while she goes into the bathroom. After a couple of minutes, she comes out.

  “Okay, I did it,” she says. “Now it says to wait three minutes. I’m terrified.”

  “Come here,” I say. She sits down on the edge of the bed and I put my arms around her. “It’s going to be fine.”

  “Ky, there are two tests,” she says. “Go take the other one.”

  “What? Why?”

  “I know it makes absolutely no sense,” she says. “But please. Just go take it. It will make me feel better if we’re doing this together.”

  I laugh and squeeze her. “Like when you got your period before me, and I wore a maxi-pad too, so you weren’t the only one?”

  “Yes, exactly.”

  “Okay, babe. I’ll go pee on the stick if it makes you feel better.”

  I go into the bathroom. Selene’s test is sitting on the counter with a strip of toilet paper over the top of it. I do my best not to laugh at her. She’s so sweet. Poor thing. I grab the box with the other test in it and look at the instructions.

  It’s simple enough. I pee on the end and put the cap back on, then set it on the back of the toilet, so it’s not right next to Selene’s.

  “There,” I say when I come out of the bathroom. “Happy now?”

  “Actually, yes,” she says. “I’m still nervous, but this is better.”

  We’re supposed to wait three minutes, so we sit in silence, both of us staring at the clocks on our phone screens.

  “Okay, I think mine should be ready,” she says, but she doesn’t get up.

  I squeeze her again. “Babe, you’re so nervous. I’ll go get it and tell you what it says.”

  She nods. I go into the bathroom and get her test off the counter. I grab the box, so I can compare what the results mean. There’s one blue line in the test window, and according to the box, that means not pregnant.

  I come out of the bathroom and smile. “Negative. You’re not pregnant.”

  She puts a hand to her mouth and closes her eyes. I bring the test over and set it on the nightstand, in case she wants to see it.

  “Are you okay?” I sit and put my arm around her again.

  She takes a shuddering breath. “I don’t know why I’m upset. I should be relieved. But … I’m kind of disappointed.”

  “Aw,” I say, and rub her back. “That’s totally understandable. You’ve probably been working yourself up to it all day.”

  “Yeah.” She sniffs. “Okay, go get yours.”

  I laugh. “Well, I know mine is negative, but I’ll grab it, I guess.”

  I go back into the bathroom and pick up my test off the back of the toilet. I glance at it, and something catches my eye. It doesn’t look the same as Selene’s. I look again, and grab the box, holding up the panel with the instructions.

  Wait, did I have that wrong? Does two lines mean negative and one means positive? Because mine has two lines, and Selene’s only had one. Didn’t it?

  “Selene, I’m confused.” I come out of the bathroom, my test in one hand and the box in the other. I toss her the box. “What does this mean? Did I read them wrong?”

  She catches it and looks at the instructions. “One line is negative. Why, does mine hav
e two, and you thought that meant negative?” She grabs her test and compares it to the picture on the box. “No, it says here one line means negative, and mine definitely has just one line.” She meets my eyes. “Wait. What does yours look like?”

  I stare at her, my eyes bugging out of my head, my heart racing a million miles a second. I swallow hard and look at the test dangling from my fingers. The test window is a little rectangle in the middle of the strip of plastic, and staring back at me are two very dark, solid blue lines. I turn it so Selene can see.

  “Holy shit, Kylie,” Selene says, her voice quiet. “I think you’re pregnant.”

  3: Kylie

  “What the fuck is this?” I say, holding out the test. “These must be defective.”

  “Or you’re pregnant,” Selene says. “Are you sure that’s yours, and this one is mine?”

  “Absolutely. Yours was on the counter, and I put mine on the back of the toilet.” My heart won’t stop pounding and my hands are starting to shake. “How could I be pregnant?”

  “I’m pretty sure you know how sex works.”

  “I know, but…” I look at the test again, hoping I’m seeing double. But there’s only one test, and it definitely has two lines. “Why did you have to get this stupid thing with the lines? How do we know these are right? Maybe they’re both defective.”

  “Is your period late?”

  “No,” I say, my voice emphatic. “I’m not supposed to start for another few days. Do these things even work before your period is due?”

  Selene looks at the box and reads out loud: “Test early, up to five days before your period is expected. Yeah, I think they work.”

  “No way,” I say, grabbing the box out of her hands. “This must be wrong. I bet these got it backwards somehow, and you’re pregnant and I’m not.”

  “Are you wishing this on me, now?” she asks with a laugh. “Because you’re the one who’s been married for a while. You must have at least talked to Brax about kids. Ronan and I haven’t even gotten through our wedding yet.”

  I sink down onto the edge of the bed. “Yeah, we’ve talked a little. He seems pretty hesitant. Not forever hesitant, but I don’t think he’s ready for kids yet. He says he’s happy to have me to himself right now, and we’ll think about a family in the future. Honestly, that’s how I feel too, so I haven’t worried about it very much.”

  Selene takes a deep breath. “You know what? Maybe these are defective. We need to get more tests and do this again.”

  We head out to Selene’s car—this isn’t the kind of thing the resort gift shop carries—and find a little store a couple miles away. We end up buying several boxes of tests each, just in case, and the cashier doesn’t even make small talk with us while we pay.

  Back at the resort, we stop outside our rooms.

  “How about we go into our own bathrooms, so we can take them at the same time,” Selene says.

  “Sounds good.”

  Our rooms are next to each other with an adjoining door, so we open it and both go into our respective bathrooms.

  I pick a brand that has a digital readout. The damn thing will say either Pregnant or Not Pregnant, so that should be clear. And I think it’s good that we’re not taking tests from the same box. I bought enough that I can take more if this one is confusing.

  My hands are shaking so badly I almost drop the stupid thing in the toilet. I follow the instructions and set it on the counter, putting a strip of toilet paper over the top so I can hide it until I’m ready to look.

  I come out to find Selene pacing in between our two rooms.

  “This is insane,” I say. “How did we end up taking pregnancy tests on our girls’ weekend?”

  Selene stops. “I have no idea. I’m so sorry. I should have waited until we got home for this.”

  “No, I’m glad you brought it up,” I say. “Fuck, Selene, I was going to get smashed with you tonight. And probably again tomorrow.”

  I glance at my phone, but it’s only been two minutes. What if I am pregnant? I quit my job to do freelance graphic design full time about six months ago, and I was hoping to spend a couple years building up my client list. Having a baby now would change things. It would change everything.

  What is Brax going to say? Is he going to be upset? We’ve never had an in-depth conversation about kids, but I’ve never felt like we needed to. He’s always been so casual about it, with a shrug and a sure, someday attitude. And that was fine with me. I thought this would be something we would decide together, and plan for. Is he going to freak out?

  “Okay, I think it’s time,” I say. “Go get yours and I’ll get mine, and we’ll look together.”

  Selene nods and we both rush back into the bathrooms. I grab the test, still covered. I come out of the bathroom and Selene and I stand in front of each other, pregnancy tests in hand.

  “Are you ready?” she asks.

  “I think so.”

  My heart is racing so fast I’m almost dizzy. I pull the test out from under the bit of toilet paper and force myself to look.

  On the screen, in very clear letters, is the word Pregnant.

  I meet Selene’s eyes.

  “Mine says Not Pregnant,” she says.

  I hold mine up so she can see it.

  We stare at each other for a long moment. Selene blinks, her eyes filling with tears, and sets her test down.

  “Kylie,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’re going to have a baby.”

  My hands tremble so much I drop the test. Selene rushes in and wraps me in a hug. I put my arms around her, so shocked I can barely think.

  I’m freaking the fuck out, but I’m so glad I’m with Selene.

  She pulls back and grabs my hands. “Oh, honey. What do you want to do? Do you want to call Brax? Should we go home?”

  “No,” I say, squeezing her hands. “No, I don’t want to ruin your weekend. This is about you. And I don’t want to tell him over the phone. I’ll talk to him when I get back.” I take a deep breath. “Let’s just enjoy our day tomorrow. I think maybe I could use some time to get used to this before I tell him anyway.”

  “How about this,” she says. “We won’t stay tomorrow night. We don’t have anything planned for Sunday as it is. We can either stay for dinner and head home then, or leave right after our massage appointments in the afternoon. It’s up to you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive,” she says. “But honestly, if you want to go now, I’ll drive. I don’t even care.”

  “No, I don’t want to leave now,” I say. “But can I sleep in your room with you tonight? I don’t think I want to be alone.”

  She hugs me again. “Of course. Come on. Let’s find a movie to watch. I’d say let’s get drunk, but I guess that isn’t happening for a while.”

  We both change, and I get in her big king-size bed with her. I let her pick the movie; I doubt I’ll be able to pay attention anyway. My eyes are on the screen, but my hand drifts down to my belly.

  Is there really a baby in there?

  This is so unexpected, and I’m kind of terrified. But there’s also a new feeling blooming inside. It’s warm—a deep sense of contentment when I think about what this means. Braxton and I having a baby together. My belly growing with the child we made. I smile a little when I think about it that way.

  A baby. Braxton’s baby. The more I think about it, the more I like the way that sounds.

  4: Braxton

  I set down my keys on the counter with a clink. Skydiving today was off the hook. The weather was perfect, and everything went according to plan. We went with a couple other guys Ronan knows, and afterward we all got dinner and beers at a great barbeque place. I’m still a little buzzed from the mix of adrenaline and alcohol.

  I pause, noticing Kylie’s purse is on the little table by the door. Is she home early?

  She steps out of the bedroom, dressed in nothing but a lacy black bra and panties.

  Fuck, yes.
r />   “Baby girl, you are the best thing I’ve ever seen in my life.” I strip my shirt off and toss it to the floor.

  She laughs and curls a finger at me. “Come here.”

  I kick off my shoes and take off my pants as I follow her into our bedroom. I have to get my hands on her, but she keeps backing away.

  “Get your ass over here.” I pin her against the wall and kiss her mouth, gently caressing her tongue with mine. I take my time, feeling her body melt into me while I savor her.

  I’m suddenly reminded of the first time I kissed her. God, she felt so good. I waited so long for that kiss.

  I pull away and touch her face. “Is everything okay? You’re home early.”

  “Yeah, everything’s fine.” She hesitates for a moment, running her hands up my chest and around to the back of my neck. “I need to talk to you about something, though.”

  “Okay. Sex first.” I kiss her again, threading my fingers through her hair.

  She laughs as I move her to the bed and lay her down on her back. “You’re insatiable, you know that?”

  “No, I’m just in love with you.” I climb on top of her and graze her neck with my teeth. “Plus, you’re so fucking sexy.”

  I get her bra and panties off, and run my hands all over her body. She lifts her arms above her head and closes her eyes while I caress her skin. I slide my tongue across one of her nipples, and she shudders.

  “Baby, stop playing,” she says, her voice breathless. “I need you inside me right now.”

  I lick her again and kiss my way up to her neck. She reaches into my underwear and wraps her fingers around my cock.

  I groan into her ear. “What do you want, baby girl?”

  She squeezes my dick. “This. Now.”

  I groan again and pull off my underwear. She opens her gorgeous legs for me and I settle in on top of her, sliding my cock in slowly. She grabs my ass and tries to push me in harder, but I resist. There’s nothing like that first thrust, when her hot pussy envelopes me.

  My desire to move slowly doesn’t last.