Unexpected Surprises
I’ve just wrapped a towel around my waist when the door between my room and Darren’s flies open. I didn’t expect to see him until our next show now that Belle made a surprise appearance. From the look on his face, something happened. He’s completely pale, and his hands are clenched into fists.
“What’s wrong?” I ask while continuing to dry off and get dressed.
He paces, and I let him process what’s going on in his head. Once my boxers are on and I have a shirt halfway over my head, he speaks.
“Belle’s pregnant.”
For a moment, I lose my equilibrium and struggle to get my head through the top of my shirt. Once I can breathe air again, I pour us both a drink, and we take a seat at the table.
“It’s yours?” He gives me an angry glare, and I lift my hands in surrender. “Just asking as a responsible friend. You’d do the same.”
With a slight nod, he concedes, “Yeah, I know. What do I do?”
Man up is the first thing that comes to mind, but it’s not what he needs to hear right now.
“Do you love her? Or could you love her?”
He finishes his drink, and I pour him another. Eventually, he meets my eyes. “Yeah, dude, I think I do. She’s the only woman who has ever made me want to stay true to one pussy.”
Laughter pours out of me, and he joins in.
“Magical pussy aside, is she someone you can picture in your life forever? Or at least for the next eighteen years?”
“Damn, that’s a long time.” He sighs.
“Better question maybe, could you picture your life without her?”
His head is shaking before the words catch up to his mouth. “No, I can’t. Fuck … this wasn’t supposed to happen. We were supposed to be on the prowl together for a few more years at least. Threesomes … and fun sex.”
“Well, we could still have a threesome, Belle is pretty hot.” His feral gaze locks on me, and he moves as if he’s going to lunge at me. “You know I’m joking, but your response should be all the answer you need. Since when have you cared about sharing?”
Shrugging, he sits back down. “Since now. Damn, Sawyer, I’m going to be a dad.”
I stand up and put on my jeans before pulling him from his chair and into a hug. “Congratulations, Papa, you’ll be a great dad.”
“Thanks. Shit, I really fucked up.”
“What did you do?” I release him, and he begins pacing again.
“I got mad, told her to stay put in Noah’s room, and left.”
“Seems pretty understandable to me. What do you want to do now?”
His body straightens, and his expression fills with confidence. “Buy a ring and ask her to marry me.”
Whoa, that’s not what I was expecting, but I also know Darren; he wouldn’t say it if he wasn’t sure.
“All right then,” I say, bending over to put on my shoes. “Let’s go find the best fucking ring we can.”
“You’ll come with me?”
“Why do you sound surprised? I’m your best friend, right? I’m assuming you don’t want to do this alone.”
Once my shoes are on, he nods. “I shouldn’t be surprised, regardless of your own shit you’ve always had my back. You’ll be an awesome godfather.”
“Me?”
“Fuck yeah, you. Best friend, remember? Besides, you’re awesome with kids, and I’ll probably need some help. Saylor looks at you like you hung the moon and stars just for her, and I’m sure Emme will, too, soon enough.”
I miss my nieces and can’t wait to get back to see them next week.
About two hours later, Darren and I part ways in the elevator. He’s got a kickass ring and a nice bouquet of flowers to help ease the way with Belle.
Earlier tonight, my only mission was to get laid. Now, I just want to lie down and think about all the stuff that went on today. Once I’m in my room, I strip down to my boxers and do just that.
Tonight, as we took the stage, Mac told us Mel’s identity had become public knowledge as soon as she and Noah approved Belle’s post about their relationship. It wasn’t a surprise to anyone, but the girls were late taking their seats, and Noah’s worry radiated off of him in waves.
Once they were finally seated, I couldn’t keep her out of my mind. Not because of my feelings for her; I’m working really hard to let those go. I just kept thinking of her being in Sara’s revenge cycle now, and it freaks me out. I’ve always thought Sara may take her anger out on the next girl, not Noah. I’m not sure I’m wrong, but between all the Sara shit and Mel’s newly revealed identity, I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. I wanted to know she was okay. Unfortunately, my timing sucked because it was during “Just an Illusion”, and that’s the song I wrote about her. I know she and Belle picked up on it, and I’m sure at some point Belle will confront me about it.
I think I’ve hit a turning point in my feelings for her. At least I keep telling myself that, but it has to be true because I’m genuinely happy for Noah. Besides, after what went down with Princess and me a few weeks ago, I realized my feelings for her have become unhealthy.
Loving someone—crushing on them—is natural. Putting hands on them isn’t. I could never thank her enough for not saying anything, but I’m trying by keeping my distance until things between us can get back on the friendship track. Regardless, what happened was a wake-up call—one I’m paying close attention to.
A little while later, I hear what sounds like Darren’s door slamming shut. Seconds after, he pops open our adjoining door.
“You up?” he whispers.
“Yeah, you okay?”
He comes closer, letting the light from his room guide him, and crouches down next to my bed before speaking. “She said maybe someday.”
“How did that make you feel?” Damn, I sound like my old shrink.
“Surprisingly, like I made the right choice. She’s the one, and she’s smart enough to know it’s too soon. It also cemented for me that she’s not after me because of who I am, and fuck that felt good.”
That’s true; a gold digger would have said yes before he finished the question.
“That’s great, man, I’m happy for you.”
He pats my shoulder. “Thanks. I just came to fill you in while Belle was in the bathroom. I’m going to lock this door, so she’ll be more comfortable, but knock or text if you need me.”
“I’ll be good. Have a good night, Daddy.”
He smiles so brightly I can make it out in the dimly lit room.
“I thought that would scare me more, but dude, it feels amazing.”
When Darren closes the door, I’m sucked into a whirlwind of self-pity. All my brothers are moving on with their lives. I’m happy for them, but damn, I feel so fucking lost. At least I still have J; he might end up being a bachelor longer than me.
After a few days in Vegas, we’re ready to get on the buses and go home. Sara and Mel had a run in the same night she and Noah announced their relationship, which is exactly what I was afraid of. No one seems to think it was a big deal, but something isn’t sitting right with me.
I decide to get on the workout bus until we hit state line so I can try to get my focus back by running off my irritation about the whole thing.
As Fort Minor’s “Remember the Name” begins pumping through the speakers, I work myself up to a full run. What I wasn’t expecting was Princess to have the same idea and come to get her own exercise.
With a slight nod, I acknowledge her existence and keep my pacing. She nods back and climbs onto the elliptical. Of course, it’s right across from me, and I have to force myself to look up or to the side because otherwise, I’m going to be watching her perfect tits bounce as she goes. Not that it would be a hardship by any means, but I’m done letting myself be sucked into her vortex.
At one point during “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons, I feel her eyes on me. When I look up, I meet her lust-filled gaze with a smirk, and she acts like she wasn’t staring. She was, but I don’t call her out on it. I’ve stared at her often enough, and besides, it’s not her fault I’m sexy and she’s in love with the wrong brother.
And then I move faster because even thinking he’s the wrong brother is a misstep in my recovery from this love shit. The next time I look up is when I’m slowing down to a walk. Mel’s shirt is clinging to her. Her body is drenched with sweat, and my cock twitches as my mind thinks about the kind of sweat we’d work up together given the chance.
Shaking off my errant thoughts, I turn off the machine.
“Hey, Princess,” I say, moving closer to her machine, and she slows to a stop before answering hesitantly.
“Yeah, Sawyer?”
“I’m going to take a shower, but I wanted to apologize for what happened a few weeks ago. I’m not sure why you didn’t tell Noah, or report me, you should have. Thank you for not doing it, whatever the reason was … is … it won’t ever happen again, I promise.”
Without giving her a chance to respond, I head to the bathroom, but she calls out to me anyway. “You’re my friend, Sawyer, and I don’t know why you did what you did that day, but I could tell you were in pain. I’m sorry for any part I had in that. We’re both better than what went down that day.”
My heart races at the unwavering faith in her voice. “Thanks, Princess,” I manage to choke out before locking myself in the bathroom. When will this girl stop turning my world upside down?