Tap: Men of Lovibond by Georgia Cates (17)

We got one hour of sleep all night. Not a minute more.

I take one last look around the room to make sure I have all my things. “It’s time for me to go down to the lobby.”

“Ollie’s always late.”

“Typically, yes, but he texted to let me know he’ll be here in five minutes.”

“Nooo,” she groans as her chest lands against mine. “I don’t want you to go.”

I wrap her in a tight embrace. “I know. I don’t want to leave you either.”

“I’m happy in this little cocoon we’ve created.”

I pull away so I can see her eyes. They’re filled with tears. “I’m happy being inside it with you. More than I thought possible.”

I place a soft kiss on her lips before pressing my forehead to hers. “It’s two weeks. We can do this.”

“I know but it feels like forever.”

It does but I need to keep this positive. “It’ll be here before we know it.”

She shakes her head and clutches the sleeves of my shirt. “I have to go, baby. We can’t risk him coming up to the room because I’m not down there.”

She sniffles. “I know.”

We hug tightly one last time. “I will see you in two weeks.”

“Eleven days,” she corrects.

“Even better.”

I grab my bag and go to the door. “Brou?”

I turn at the sound of my name. Fuck. How am I supposed to walk out the door now?

Wren is standing with the hotel robe spread wide open, naked beneath it. “A visual to remember me by until we’re together again.”

I wish I could take a picture. But since I can’t, I will etch the image into my brain. “I will think of it often.”

“This belongs to you. No one else. Don’t forget that.”

“I won’t, baby. Swear.”

The elevator ride is one of the toughest ever. I want so badly to go back to her but I don’t; it’ll only prolong the inevitable and put us at risk of being discovered by Stout. We are parting ways today whether we want to or not.

Stout is waiting for me when I exit the hotel. I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t go back for that quickie I was contemplating.

“Hey, man. Ready to hit the road?”

“Yeah.” No.

We aren’t ten minutes from the hotel when I decide to text Wren.

I’ve never sent a message like that. But that’s because I’ve never felt this way about anyone.

So do not want to forget her essence. I may carry them in my pocket for easy access and sleep with them on my face.

I’m jealous that shirt will be hugging her body instead of me.

Is she saying what I think she’s saying?

Fuck.

“Texting your girl?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ve never seen you be secretive about a woman. Is she married?”

“No, jackass.” Stout is my friend but he really thinks I’m a dick when it comes to women. I need to change that opinion, and soon, if Wren and I are to have a successful go at this relationship. “It’s still very new. We want to get used to the idea before telling everyone we’re together.”

Stout slaps the steering wheel. “Fuck, it’s somebody at Lovibond, isn’t it?”

“No. She doesn’t work for us.”

“How long have you known her?”

“We met at the festival.” I need to be careful to not give too much away.

“You’ve been fucking this chick for over a month?”

We’re not just fucking. And she’s not a random chick. “It’s not like that. We met at the festival but didn’t talk or see each other until later.”

“How do you feel about her?”

“We’ve not been a couple for long but I really like her a lot.”

“You see this relationship turning into something more?”

“I think it could.” I hope it does.

“Does she know you were married? And in an open marriage?”

“I’ve told her everything. Even introduced her to Bridgette.”

“Dude. Girlfriend meets ex-wife. That’s serious.” Wren wasn’t my girlfriend when they met so I can’t really take credit for making it happen.

“I think I’ve misjudged you, Tap.” This could be a turn in the right direction.

“I’m not shitting you. This girl has turned me into a one-woman kind of man. No other woman has been worth looking at or thinking about since I met her.”

“I think Porter and I are going to have to change your nickname from Tap to something different. Hmm. I think Whipped has a special ring to it.”

“Fucking hilarious.” Stout can make fun of me all he likes. As long as, when the time comes, he understands how much I care for Wren.

* * *

Ava runs into my arms. “Hello, my sweet Bebelle.”

She presses her precious cheek to mine. “Unky Bou, where you been?”

“I was in Georgia visiting my friend, Wren. Do you remember her?”

“Yesss. What behind yo’ back?” Busted.

I hold out a gift bag with colorful tissue spilling out of the top. “Wren heard you got a little brother so she sent you a big sister present.”

“Yay.” Streaks of pink and lime green fly in all directions.

“Mmm hmm.” Bridgette lifts a brow. “You were visiting Wren, huh?”

“Sure was.” Did a lot more than that while I was there, too.

“How long did you stay?”

“Three days.”

Ava holds her gift in the air. “Unky Bou, whut ’dis s’pose to be?”

“Wren has a store where she sells very special things. She made this and it’s called a dream catcher. You hang it on your bed and it protects you from nightmares.”

“I lub it.”

“Ava honey, why don’t you go to your room and find a place for your dream catcher while I talk to Uncle Boudreaux?”

“’Kay.”

I’m not surprised Bridgette wants to have a powwow. “That was very nice of Wren to think of Ava.”

“She’s probably the most thoughtful person I’ve ever met.” I point at the other bags. “There’s something for you and Tripp too. But I have to warn you. She’s into some weird stuff so there’s no telling what she sent you. You should probably expect the unusual.”

Bridgette lifts Tripp from her lap and holds him out for me to take. “Here. I know you’re dying to hold him.”

I happily take the baby from Bridg. “Hey, little man. I think you’ve grown an inch since I saw you.”

Tripp isn’t mine but he is my son’s half-brother. I can’t look at him and not wonder how similar they would have been. Would Eli have been a happy baby like Tripp? Would he have wanted a pacifier like his brother? Or preferred to suck his thumb instead?

“Wren is a little different, isn’t she?”

That’s an understatement. “She’s a lot different. But in the best kind of way.”

“You haven’t mentioned a word about her since we were introduced. What’s going on?”

“We spent time together at the festival. We clicked but had a lot of factors working against us so it didn’t seem logical to pursue anything. But then I spent the next month going batshit crazy thinking about her and I said to hell with it. I gotta go see her.”

Bridgette chuckles. She’s loving this, seeing me go stupid over a woman. “She must have some good stuff if she pussy-whipped you in one weekend?”

Tripp squirms in my arms and wails. “Tripp, tell your mommy Uncle Boudreaux didn’t fuck Wren the weekend of the festival,” I say in my best baby voice.

“Heads up.” Bridgette tosses Tripp’s pacifier and I catch it midair. “You’re shittin’ me, Boudreaux.”

A ferocious odor invades my nostrils. “I’m not but your son may be.”

Bridgette flashes a smile. “Why do you think I gave him to you? Smeller is the feller who gets to change him.” Just like her to do something like that.

“Let me get this straight. You met Wren, genuinely liked the woman, and then went after her in another state?”

“You hit the nail on the head.”

“My God, Bou. Are you in love with her?”

“I think I could be well on my way.”

“You totally are. Shit. I never thought I’d see the day.” Bridgette shakes her head. “Does she know about us and the kind of marriage we had?”

“Yeah. She was completely non-judgmental about the whole thing.”

“That’s a wonder within itself. Did you tell her about Eli?”

“Everything.”

“You’re such a dumbass, Bou.” What the fuck did I do? “I knew this was going to happen one day.”

She lost me. “You knew what was going to happen?”

“You went and had that stupid vasectomy and now you’ve found the one.”

Bridgette is totally jumping the gun. “Whoa. Don’t put the cart before the horse. I like Wren a lot but I don’t want to go marrying her and start having sick kids.”

Bridgette’s mouth forms a hard line. “You’re such a motherfucker for saying that.”

“Why? You know where I stand on this.”

“You might as well say I shouldn’t have had Ava and Tripp because they could have had problems.”

“We’ve made different decisions. Having those beautiful babies was the right one for you.”

“And it can be for you too with the right woman. What if she’s the one for you?”

“I don’t want to do that again.” I couldn’t do that again. The terror in her eyes. The pain. The deep, soul-destroying depression. Losing the lively, sweet Bridgette to the shell of despair she became. Holding my beloved baby as he took his last breath. Ripped. My. Heart. Out. Losing Eli hurt like hell but seeing Bridgette in so much pain—both physically and emotionally—almost killed me.

No. Never again.

“Your babies would be fine if she doesn’t have the gene for renal agenesis. Does anyone in her family have one kidney?”

“I don’t know and I’m not asking.” It doesn’t matter anyway. I’ve had a vasectomy. No babies are coming out of this dick.

“I don’t get you, Boudreaux. You could have healthy children with her.”

“What if something different goes wrong?” I couldn’t stand to see another woman I love go through that, especially one I was in love with.

“That’s such irrational bullshit. The brakes on your truck could fail but does that keep you from driving?”

“Well, bullshit or not, Wren knows about the vasectomy. She says it isn’t a problem for her.”

“Talk to me about this in six months and tell me if she’s still okay with it. No, wait. I give it three months.”

I know what Bridgette is thinking but she’s wrong. Wren isn’t like other women. She doesn’t need marriage and babies to be happy.

* * *

Eleven fucking days. I left Savannah with the misbelief our reunion would be here before we knew it. I even thought the topless pics Wren texted me might help ease our time apart. Wrong. So much worse. Who knew it could feel like an eternity? I think that’s a testament to how bad I’ve missed Wren.

We decided she should come to Birmingham this trip since Bridgette and Warren have four tickets to the James Bay concert. This feels sort of weird. I’ve done all kinds of concerts and festivals with Bridgette and Warren but I’ve never brought a woman along. Should be interesting.

I hope Bridgette keeps her big mouth shut about the whole marriage and baby thing. Sometimes she’s under the misconception she knows what’s right for everyone else even when they don’t.

I finally see Wren’s tiny hybrid car coming up my drive. Definite tree-hugger automobile. Damn thing looks like something my truck would eat for breakfast.

She dashes toward me and crashes against my chest. Her arms quickly wrap around my shoulders. I put my hands on the back of her upper thighs and lift her from the ground so she’s straddling me. “Damn, baby. I’ve missed you.”

She’s kissing every inch of my face. “I’ve missed you, too.”

I carry her through the door and kick it closed with my foot. We land on the sofa, her on top of me. “It was bad, wasn’t it? Tell me it wasn’t just me.”

“Being without you for that long was fucking brutal.”

She grabs my bearded face only moments before her mouth descends on mine. Our teeth bump but it doesn’t stop our tongues from rolling in waves against each other.

Now, that’s a warm hello. Hope I always get this kind of heated reunion. I love it. “You’re the one taking my breath away this time.”

“Sorry. I’m a little excited. I had the whole drive here to think about it.” I’m guessing six hours of fantasizing about sex would rev you up for sure. It would me.

“Bridgette and Warren want to go out for dinner before the concert. It’s their first outing since Tripp was born so they want to make the most of it.”

Wren grinds her pelvis against me. “Oh, that means we won’t have time to play.”

I would love to have some playtime with her right now. “I can tell them we can’t make it.”

“I hate to do that. I’m sure they’re looking forward to a kid-free night.”

“I’ll do whatever you want, babe.”

She sighs loudly and I know it’s a sign she’s conceding. “We’ll go; I don’t want to disappoint them.”

“We have two days. We’ll make it count.”

She holds up her hand displaying three fingers. “We actually have three. I got Wynter to take Monday so I could stay over Sunday night too. I have to pay her time and a half but it’s worth every penny to get an extra night with you.”

Three nights with Wren instead of two. “That’s fantastic news.”

“What time are we going to dinner?”

“Supposed to meet them in an hour but traffic will probably be chaotic. Can you be ready to go in thirty minutes?”

“Even if I put on a little makeup I can be ready in fifteen.”

“I love when a girl is beautiful and low maintenance.” Bridgette used to piss me off so bad taking forever to get ready. That’s Warren’s problem now.

As promised, Wren is ready in fifteen minutes, and lovely as ever. “Denim shorts and a tank top okay for the restaurant and an outdoor concert?”

“It’s a bar and grill that serves vegan. Very casual so you look perfect.”

I lean against the back of the couch and pull her to stand between my legs. She wraps her arms around my shoulders as I slip my hands into the back pockets of her shorts. “I’m very happy you’re here.”

“Me too.”

“I’ve been working on Stout, getting him used to seeing me fully committed to a girlfriend. You may not know it but I walk the line for you. And it’s a fine one.”

“A fine line, huh? I like that.” Wren puts her hands on my chest and rubs my nipples through my T-shirt. “You’re with Ollie almost every day. When you feel he’s ready to know, I’m all in.”

“He’s not there yet but I’m afraid he’ll feel betrayed in a different kind of way if we hide it from him too long. I was thinking maybe we tell him after we’ve had a couple more weekends together.”

“I’m good with a month.”

I pull her close and inhale deeply. Damn, I’ve missed this smell. “This bar and grill has some great specialty drinks. Want to go on a little early and grab one?”

“Sounds good.”

“They’ll probably be late anyway. Bridg doesn’t have the best track record for being on time and adding another kid to the equation isn’t going to speed things.”

“Poor thing. We should have gone over there to make things easier on them.”

I’m not opposed to that. “We still can. It might help them get out the door a little faster.”

Wren’s eyes widen. “Let’s do. I would love to see Ava again and meet little Tripp.”

“That works for me. We can get them to chauffeur us so we can drink as much as we want without worrying about driving.”

“Yes. Because we don’t need a DUI and rehab for a damn month to get out of it.”

“Amen.”

Wren gasps when we walk out. “Where did my car go?”

“I moved it around back while you were getting ready. It would be a dead giveaway if Stout came by.”

“True.”

I follow Wren to the passenger door of my truck and open it for her. “Such the gentleman.”

“You won’t say that later.”

“Mmm… have something feisty in mind?”

“Definitely.”

* * *

Warren is the one to answer the door. “Boudreaux, it’s gone to hell in a fucking hand basket.”

No surprise. “We suspected it might. That’s why we’re here.”

“The babysitter is late, Bridgette can’t get ready because Tripp wants to nurse every fifteen minutes, I haven’t showered because Ava is acting out and doesn’t want us to leave. By the way, nice to see you again, Wren. I’m sorry you’ve unsuspectingly walked into hell.”

This carnival is rolling on four flats. “What can we do to help?”

“Whatever you’re willing to do.” Warren is too damn overwhelmed to even make that decision. Parenthood is no joke.

“Uncle Boudreaux, you get Bebelle.” Wren points at Warren and then toward the hallway. “Bring Tripp to me so Bridgette can finish getting ready and then you go shower.”

Warren nods. “That’s a good plan.”

He leaves and returns a moment later with Tripp, passing him to Wren. “Thank you for coming by and doing this.”

“No problem.”

Wren isn’t a wife or mother. How is she able to walk through the door, dish out orders, and become the element to bring calm to this storm?

This woman never ceases to amaze me, no matter the issue.

Others judge. She accepts.

Others choose cruelty. She chooses compassion.

Others deny sympathy. She offers empathy.

Such a beautiful woman, inside and out.

Wren goes to the sofa with Tripp. She places him on her lap and bends over him, making eye contact. “Hello there, little guy. Are you using your mama as a pacifier? I think you are.” He grasps her thumbs and she kisses his tiny fingers. “He’s so cute, Brou.”

“I told you he was awesome.”

“He is indeed.” She picks him up and presses his cheek to hers. “What a snuggle bug.”

Ava runs into the room and tackles my leg. “Hello, Bebelle.” I pick her up and toss her into the air. “How is my girl?”

“Good.”

Ava looks over and sees Wren. “Wren.” I can’t believe she remembers her.

Ava goes to her when Wren holds out her arm, inviting her to sit next to her. “What do you think of your little brother?”

“He cwies a lot. I wanted a sista.”

“I have a baby brother too. Well, he’s not a baby anymore but he was a long time ago. I didn’t like him much at first because he cried and stole my toys but then he got a little older. And you know what happened?”

“Wut?”

“He became my best friend. And he has been since. I know you love Tripp even if you may not be crazy about him right now. And it’s okay. But that will change. Tripp will be your best friend one day soon.”

“’Kay.” Ava’s off and running.

Wren shrugs. “Well, I tried.”

“Good effort.”

Wren strokes her finger down the center of Tripp’s face from his forehead, down the slope of his nose, over his lips, ending at his chin. He closes his eyes each time she does it and before long, keeps them closed. “Is that baby voodoo?”

“He’s probably picking up on Bridgette’s anxiety so I’m helping him relax.” Within minutes, Tripp has gone to sleep.

Wren brings his hand to her cheek and strokes it down her face. “Nothing is sweeter than a baby.” Shit. She loves babies. She is a natural with babies. How could I have been so wrong?

Bridgette could be right. I may end up losing Wren because she wants things I can’t give her.

Things I won’t give her.