Chapter 9
“You were?” True looked at the pair of Haught brothers and couldn’t hold back a smile. One of them looked like he was happy to see her and the other looked like he’d been caught like a thief in the hen house. “All good things I hope.”
Alec walked over and took all her packages from her hands.
“You didn’t have to take them all. Ya big brute.” She swatted his arm playfully trying to gauge his mood.
“I do what I can to help friends in need.” Alec leaned in close and gave her a kiss on the forehead, stunning her into silence, before turning to walk into the party room. True looked over at Camden who had a huge smile on his face.
“What was that?” True asked in a stage whisper.
“Progress.” Camden followed Alec and motioned for her to come along. True didn’t know what she’d expected after their last encounter and then not talking with him for the last 4 days, but a sweet kiss on the forehead wasn’t it.
They’d closed down The Haught Spot for the evening and directed all bar hoppers that didn’t want a baby shower feel with their liquor libations over to the other location Two Haught. Say what you want about Rosy, but she could put out a nice spread.
“This looks amazing Rosalyn.” True had taken up thinking of her in the name the Haught Brothers had given her but she called her the name Gemmi called her. It was hard to believe this was the woman who started it all. She’d had a grudge against her cousin and decided to pay it back by sleeping with Gemmi’s boyfriend at their family reunion. It was the best and worst thing that probably happened to her, but three years or so later and the tides had turned. Gemmi was happily married with twins on the way.
“Thank you, True.” She fluffed this and adjusted that, but she’d put in a good deal of work already.
“So you are the only one who knows if there are boys or girls in the oven, huh?” True didn’t spend a lot of time with Rosy but she got vibes from people. When she met them she either liked them, didn’t like them or it was neutral. Rosy was neutral, so True would give the woman a chance.
“I am very thankful that I got that honor.”
“Has it been hard hiding your purchases?” True asked as she took out the gifts she had on the table.
“What did you bring?” Rosy asked as she walked over clapping her hands. “You know this isn’t the shower. That’s in a few weeks.”
“I know, but I’m lobbying for godmother so I’m stacking my bets.” True only said that as a joke, but looking at Rosy and the way her smile dimmed she was sorry she’d said that. “Rosy I was only joking.”
“It’s not a big deal.” Rosy’s smile was brighter, but just as fake. “You’d probably make a kick ass godmother.”
“I don’t know. You’re kind of kick ass yourself.”
The beautiful brunette used to have red hair, but True learned that was from a bottle. She looked good with brown hair too. Rosy was startled by that statement, by the way her eyebrows shot up comically.
“Coming from you that’s a great compliment. Not to be fishing for more, but can I ask why you think so?”
True took a few minutes to actually think about what she was saying as she walked around the decorated party room. “We all know what you did, Rosy and you know that we knew. The fact that you are so willing to make it up to your cousin. Staying by her side through this pregnancy, running errands when she can’t and other people are busy, just being here through the side eye and doubt people throw at you. It’s like they are waiting for you to fuck up again.” True took a moment to see what the woman thought of her words. She was too tough to cry. True knew how that was and thought even more positively about the woman than she just did.
“Thanks for noticing.”
“Sure.” True wanted to go and see Alec just to find out what was behind that public display of affection. She walked toward the door and stopped. “For the record, I don’t think you’re going to fuck this up and the fact that everyone doesn’t harass you at every turn makes me think they don’t think you will either.”
Rosy’s face was red and she turned around to fix a bouquet of balloons that seemed perfectly fine to True.
There was still time before the people for the reveal were to arrive and she hoped she could get upstairs to Alec’s place without being seen. Even though she’d told Beau and Karessa and Camden seemed to know something she wasn’t trying to get all these people in her business. That was her job to be nosy, but in terms of letting other people witnessing things she deemed private… not going to happen.
She made it to his apartment without being seen and she just hoped he was in there. True knocked quietly and waited a few seconds, before the door opened to Alec with his eyebrow raised.
“Yes?” He stood in the doorway with this arms folded. “Can I help you?”
“You’re not going to let me in?” True was actually puzzled about this swift change.
“I gave you a key to a door that’s practically never locked. I thought maybe you were doing some type of role play or something.”
True looked down both sides of the hall. “Everyone will be here soon.”
“Are you afraid to be caught in here?” Alec frowned and walked back to the kitchen.
True stood frozen just inside the door and tried to get her breathing and her thoughts in order before she rushed in behind him in the kitchen. “Alec, what’s wrong?” She put her hands on his cheeks and looked at his pupils. Were they supposed to be big or small? Damn it, why didn’t she remember anything from the medical dramas she’d watched.
“There’s nothing wrong.”
“You just asked me if I was afraid to let people see me in here. The man who took me out a total of 5 times to places so far away, I wondered if we’d left the state, is asking me this?” True saw his frown and then looked down on the counter not really wanting to hear his answer to her question. “You’re making something?”
Alec gently took her hands off his face and continued putting some mixture into a bowl.
“Are you making pistachio salad?” True almost forgot her line of questioning when she noticed he was making one of her favorite treats. Alec put aluminum foil over the bowl and placed it in the refrigerator. “When will it be ready?”
“I’m not sure I’m sharing it with you.” Alec said as he cocked his head to the side and leaned against the refrigerator.
“I have ways to make you share,” she moved closer to him, but he held her at arm's length.
“I know that you are trying to make changes in your life and I know I’m trying to prove a point to you, but you are painting me as a villain in your little story and it’s not right.”
She stepped back and folded her arms across her chest. “What’s not right?”
“You’re telling me you think I took you out of the way the few times we went out.”
“Umm, you did.” True knew what she was saying was correct. “All the times we went out it was over an hour drive away.”
“Who told me they always wanted to go to a butterfly garden? Who asked to go to the zoo? Who wanted to see that French film in the new indie theatre? Who wanted to eat at the grand opening of the Japanese restaurant Yama?”
True thought about that and maybe he was right. She turned her back to him so she could think about that. He moved closer to her putting her arms on either side of the counter and locking her in as he put his face next to hers before turning his head to smell her hair.
“You smell good.”
“You always say that when you sniff fuck my hair.” True chuckled when she said it.
“Mmmm.”
She turned around in the small space he’d given her and then was in the circle of his arms. “I didn’t really think of that, but I did ask to go to all of those places and you were kind enough to take me.”
“I may have some issues with commitment, but I’ve never not wanted to be seen with you.” He backed away from her. “I thought that was your issue.”
“It’s not that I didn’t want to be seen with you. I just don’t really want to look like a fool. You’ve been running from me for my whole life and when we started this whole thing…”
“I get it, but only because we are a lot alike.” He kissed her forehead again.
“What is up with that?”
He shrugged and smirked.
“I’m just not understanding you today.” True shook her head and got to the point of what she wanted. “I didn’t get something the other day and I came to get it before the party.”
“Oh, okay.” Alec stepped back like he was going to let True find what she wanted. “Let me know what it is. I may be able to help you locate it, but I don’t remember taking anything of yours at the springs.”
She watched this large man lean back against the fridge like he had all the time in the world, and maybe he did, but the party was going to be happening soon.
Placing her hands on his chest she watched enlightenment shine in Alec’s eyes. At least he knew her well enough to know where this was going.
“I didn’t get to play with my favorite toy the other day and I think it was withheld from me on purpose.” She brought her hand down his chest and he dropped his folded arms to stay at his side.
“It was withheld because that day was just for you.”
“If it was just for me, I would have wanted the whole kit and caboodle.” She slid her hand down the front of his pants and found he was stiff and growing. Opening his snapped jeans she almost moaned at what she knew was coming. “Tell me you didn’t know I was going to come and find you.”
“I won’t admit or deny what I thought you were going to do.” He spread his legs a little when she placed her hand inside his pants and tried to get him out in a way that wouldn’t be that uncomfortable. The hiss she heard when she finally got his cock free made her want to do more than they had time for. She was just up for tasting his cock and knocking the first round out of the box so he’d be ready for tonight.
She dropped to her knees and softly licked the purple tinted mushroomed head.
“You’re going to mess up your clothes, baby. Let’s move somewhere more comfortable.”
True opened up her mouth and sucked the head into her mouth. Closing her mouth around the rim and using suction on the one area just like she knew he enjoyed. She moaned as he filled her mouth with his cock. Pushing in a little more each time.
“Is this what you wanted, True?” He put his hand in her hair and fucked a little harder between her lips.
She moaned her answer and enjoyed the sound of him controlling his breathing. True wrapped both of her hands around his thickness and tried to get him off hard and fast. Until she was pulled off and brought up.
“I’m not sure what you’re about True, but I swear I love it. I don’t mind people thinking we’re together, but I do mind messing up your makeup and taking you around our friends and family looking like I’m using you.”
“So what’s it to be Alec?” She could tell he wanted to finish what they’d started, but he was just stubborn enough to make them wait for a better opportunity.
“I’ll come see you after the party.” Alec tucked his hard cock back into his pants. It looked uncomfortable and she had her mouth open to mention it when she remembered something. True didn’t beg anyone for anything, hell she barely asked. In this moment she could be a totally different person.
Alec moved closer to her and placed a hand on her breast. “We can make it through a few hours. Then I’ll bring you desert.”
Placing her hand back over his cock. “You mean this?”
“I’ll be bringing that too, but did you forget the pistachio salad?”
True screwed up her face and shook her head. “Yes, Alec. I totally did.”
*****
With the party in full swing True was having the time of her life. So many people had come to the gender reveal party that she hadn’t expected. She’d been greeting people and hugging people all night.
“Are they having drink specials tonight?” Gemmi asked when she moved over to see if she needed anything.
“Just the regular stuff, but I think this is a mix of you and Camden being amazing people and everyone wants to share your joy.” True could see Gemmi was nervous as she got around large groups at times. “Do you want to go outside for a minute to get some air?”
Gemmi nodded and tried to stand up. True stood up to help her find her balance, then the two of them moved to the edge of the party and then out the side door.
It was relatively quiet out there with the noise of the bar being muffled a great deal.
“I think I over did it today. Trying to get some exercise is what I told myself I was doing, but actually I wanted to talk to Alec.”
“About what?”
“Camden and the way he stifles me. I was going to have to pack my bags and move in with my mother if he didn’t give me a bit of space.”
“If I’m correct you fainted at the bar right in front of his face. You don’t think he has the right to be a bit upset? The man lost his mother in childbirth and he loves you like he loves no other person. I know he’s getting on your nerves but try to think of it from his perspective.”
Gemmi nodded, “I knew that, but sometimes it’s hard to remember. Alec straightened it all out for me, I think. At least Camden seems a bit less prison guard and a little more affectionate husband.”
“I can’t imagine what it must be like to have two little people kicking around in there.” True looked closely at her friend's shirt. “It looks like they’re moving now.”
“Come here.” Gemmi waved her over before taking True’s hand and placing it on her stomach.
“Have mercy.” True was in awe feeling the babies move under her hand. “That feels so odd.”
“You should try feeling it in my position.”
“I don’t think that will happen for me. I’m not meant for that life.” True withdrew her hand from the kicking babies.
“True you’re the most maternal person I know.”
It felt good to hear it, but having a mother who left you in a box at the police station didn’t make one feel they come from the most maternal stock. “Thank you for saying that, Gemmi. I’m sure you mean it, but I hope you’re not going to ask me to be the godmother. Your cousin seems like she’d really like that spot.”
Gemmi opened her mouth like she was going to fight True and her beliefs.
“Let’s not go into whatever you’re going to say if it has anything to do with motherhood or godmotherhood.”
Her friend had the good graces to just nod and take a few deep breaths of clean air. True’s gaze was caught on someone across the street who was walking toward the door. She swore she felt a shiver slide down her spine a sign that shit was about to go sideways in her life. It hadn’t happened in a while, but it when it did… fuck.
“Let’s go back inside. I’m sure someone is looking for you and it’s probably time for the announcements to start.” True helped Gemmi up and walked her back to the door.
Gemmi stopped in her tracks. “What’s wrong, True. You’re acting weird.”
True knew whatever was going on was only going to happen to her so she wasn’t afraid for Gemmi, but she didn’t want to sound like a flake either. There were only two people who she’d told about these feelings and she didn’t want to bother them now at the party. Maybe it was nothing.
“I just want to get you back inside to enjoy the party. What’s a gender reveal without a pregnant woman?” True tried for humor. “Not much fun.”
Gemmi wasn’t convinced but she went along with True back to the party. Beau was waiting at the door when they got back with an overly bright smile and panic in his eyes.
“What?” True asked as soon as Gemmi found a few friends that she squealed as they hugged.
“You know this gender reveal was practically broadcasted everywhere and it’s not like any and everyone couldn’t just show up. There were no tickets or anything.”
“Beau I can’t stand when you ramble. That’s how I know it’s bad.” True noticed Beau had a tight grip on her arms which was odd because he knew how much she didn’t like that from her days in a bad foster home. “I know the place was closed for the reveal but still open to the public.”
“Okay…deep breath.”
True took one to humor Beau but he was so upset it was beginning to be a little funny.
“Joni Wolf is here.”
True thought about the person she’d seen walking by before that tingle of bad things coming. It couldn’t be that bad though, right? “Alec’s ex fiancé?”
Beau nodded.
Well, I guess it can be that bad.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the reveal.” Rosy was standing in front of the table where Camden and Gemmi plus two large boxes sat. “Anybody want to guess before we get started?”
The crowd answered in a mass, but it sounded like most of the people thought it would be boys. This would have been so much better if her stomach wasn’t doing flips because Joni and Alec were nowhere to be found.
“Where did they go?” She leaned over and asked Beau.
Karessa walked up to them and sat down beside True. “Joni came in when you were outside, found Alec and started talking. Unfortunately, I was too far away to hear what was said, but he was trying to listen and console her. They went through the kitchen right before you came back in. I went to find more spoons, but I didn’t see them.”
True looked at Karessa. The international plus size lingerie maker who had millions of dollars at her disposal, and a file of A-list actresses on speed dial, but deep down she was just a kick ass bestie with amazing recon skills.
“Let’s watch the reveal and then I’m going home.”
“You know Alec isn’t—”
True held up her hand and thankfully Beau stopped. She was way out of practice with this whole don’t let anyone see you’re hurting thing. Back in the day people didn’t even know how deeply she cared for him. His first real girlfriend Chloe was the one she befriended because she thought it wouldn’t make her as mad as the devil on Christmas. It hadn’t worked. As a matter of fact, she was living vicariously through this girl, acting as a friend and praying for them to break up behind her back. It wasn’t a good time for True. The one who prides herself on being honest and living up to her name.
“Are we ready?” Rosy asked them and riled up the crowd at the same time. Camden and Gemmi hand their hands on the top of the lid and they nodded. There was a canned drum roll and when the lid came off blue balloons and confetti sprang out of the box.
The applause was deafening and True couldn’t help but smile at the support this couple had from their bar community.
“So we have one beautiful, bouncing baby boy and…” Rosy moved the couple over to the next box and stepped back so Camden and Gemmi could take the lid off the second one. The drum roll played over the intercom and the lid was lifted, but this time a pink balloon and confetti came out of the box. Pandemonium ensued in the form of hoops, hollers and general excitement. Karessa was crying and hugging Beau and then came for True and she found her eyes a bit misty. “Wow, you guys are an excitable group. Haha…one beautiful, bouncing baby girl. Congratulations Gemmi and Camden. I’m so happy for you two and I can’t wait to meet these two.”
True looked around the room and still didn’t see any sign of Jodi or Alec as she walked over to the celebrating couple. It was time to go because she was just going to put a damper on the day and she refused to do that. This feeling of being second best, a place holder was as old as time in the relationship she and Alec had. She thought they had something, but later found it was easy for him to dismiss.
“Oh True, can you believe it. One of each. It’s just what I wanted.” Gemmi was beaming from ear to ear and True was sure she looked exactly the same as her friend because she couldn’t contain the huge smile that spread across her face either. “If it weren’t for you this never would have happened.”
“That’s me, the matchmaker.” True turned to hug Camden who was also smiling.
“Maybe it’s time for the matchmaker to be matched.” Camden said in the middle of the hug.
“No thanks, Cam. Let’s just leave that to the professionals. Not everyone has a match there are groups of people who should just remain individuals.” True wasn’t going to debate this but she honestly believed it. “Anyway, I’ve got to get out of here, but I’ll be at the baby shower.”
“That’s a few days away, what are you going to be doing until then. I’m thinking of doing a gallery sale.” True didn’t want to tell her she wanted to sell off all the pictures based on a certain someone, because no one had ever realized that the man who would never pose for her was the focus of most of her best pieces. Looking at them daily as they hung in the gallery had been a comfort, but now it seemed like a crutch.
“I want to come.” Gemmi said, bouncing as much as a woman heavy with pregnancy could. She looked over at Camden looking for a reaction and only saw the face of a man who’d do anything for his bride / mother of his babies. It almost made True sob. Family was just so freaking important and if she was going to get away from Alec would that mean she lost the only family she had?
“I’ll let you know when it is.” True decided she needed to get away from all the happy festivities before she fell into a funk of her own making. This is what she did. She handled it alone, she cried alone and she phoenixed herself out of the ashes and all that shit.
True returned home, took a shower, and went straight to her computer. The time for sorrow was over. There were decisions to be made like how was she going to get the word out for her sale and how was she going to move all of these pieces out of her gallery and out of her life. It didn’t take long for her to come up with a theme – the secret sale. She wanted it done quickly so she put out an email to the people on her email list and asked them all to share the information with their friends.
Stretching, she looked at the clock on the wall and couldn’t believe how much time had passed. In the back of her mind, she’d been hoping that Alec would at least come over to explain…and bring that pistachio salad. If she were going to be honest with herself, she wanted him to bring that cock of his with him too. She was on her way out but there was no reason a few more memories couldn’t be added to the memory bank.
She looked at her phone and remembered she’d turned if off when she left the party and was in ‘fuck that dude’ mode. After pressing the button to turn it on and see if she missed anything there was a knock on the door. There was no way she didn’t know who that was but she stood there for a few minutes trying to decide what she was going to do. Bring him in to sex up and then kick him out, just leave his ass out on the porch, or let him in and listen to whatever bullshit story he had. The last one actually sounded the best because she had never…ever in her life heard him explain anything. He just didn’t do it. The man gave not one single fuck in regards to what people thought of him or his actions. It wasn’t that he was inconsiderate, but he did what he wanted and made no bones about it. That was something they had in common and it was one of the things she liked about him…normally, but not now. A bit of groveling was in order and she wanted to see him do it.
She opened the door to the man with no fucks carrying the bowl with the pistachio salad and a smile.
“Are you ready for your dessert?” Alec said with a smile.