Forever

She wasn’t really showing yet, her stomach looked as flat as ever, which again freaked me out. I’d even asked the doctor. He’d given me a look of pure hopelessness. Of course that was after I asked him for a sedative when he did a pelvic examine on my bride-to-be.

At any rate, he said it was normal for women to take up to four months to show with their first pregnancy. Was it weird that I was obsessing over the fact that she wasn’t gaining weight? I was going to sleep so much better at night when she was fat.

Something I also happened to tell her to her face.

That earned me the cold shoulder for an entire day.

“Babe?” Nat reached me and kissed my cheek. “You okay?”

“Perfect.” My lips found hers amidst Demetri’s gagging. Nat giggled and wrapped her arms around me.

“Twenty-four hours.” She sighed against my mouth. “And then I become Mrs. Daniels.”

“Mrs. Alec Daniels.” I growled, tugging at her lips with my teeth.

“If she wasn’t already pregnant, your proximity and kissing would have done it” Demetri laughed. “Now, seriously, go. It’s boy time.”

Nat fell into a pout. “Are you sure it’s a good idea?”

“Go.” I chuckled, pushing her away toward Alyssa. “I promise you’ll have fun. Go to the spa, hang out, have a girl’s day. We’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner and say our goodbyes before the bachelor party.”

“PARTY!” Demetri echoed bouncing up and down.

Alyssa rolled her eyes. “You party animal. Tell me, you guys having juice boxes or iced tea at the big event?”

“Hilarious,” Demetri sang. “And if you must know, I’m having bottled water. But I have every intention to get this one wasted.” He pointed to me. I shook my head ’no’ in Nat’s direction.

I was never as bad as Demetri with the addictions, didn’t mean I wanted to get drunk out of my mind the night before I was getting married. I’d have water, and most likely turn in by midnight, dreaming of holding Nat in my arms.

A horn honked from outside the beach house. We all jogged out, just as Jaymeson got out of the car and threw the keys at my face. “They wreck the car, I wreck your face.”

“Missed you too, bro.” Demetri nodded. “Really. My heart had a gaping hole that only my British stepbrother could fill. I even had tea every morning during your absence in hopes that I could drown my sorrows in—”

Jaymeson flipped him off and turned back toward me. “Whose idea was this to let them drive my car? Seriously, I’m trusting the girls with this car. If it comes back with as much as a scratch, if Nat sneezes on it, or Alyssa gets girl perfume anywhere near the seats—”

“Girl perfume?” Alyssa scowled. “Really? The man-slut doesn’t even know any perfume brands? Wouldn’t that help you with the ladies?”

He grinned. “Does it look like I need help with the ladies?”

“Your fly’s open.” Alyssa pointed.

He looked down just as she walked by and punched him in the shoulder. “Thanks for the loaner.”

“It’s not even open!” Jaymeson yelled.

Alyssa shrugged, and went over to the driver’s side.

“Be careful!” Demetri called after her. “That’s an Audi R8, as in, I don’t want to have to replace it.”

“We’ll be fine!” Alyssa waved him off as Nat got into the car with her, the engine revved, and then the car jolted forward.

“Holy shit.” Jaymeson swore. “They’re going to kill Roxanne.”

“It makes me sad that the only female name you actually remember is that of your car,” Demetri said.

“Agreed.” I laughed.

“Whatever.” Jaymeson waved us off and pointed at the girls. “You break it you buy it!”

“That’s what insurance is for!” Nat called out the window just as Alyssa peeled out of the driveway and made her way down to Highway 101.

“Whose idea was this in the first place?” Jaymeson asked. “Because I’m pretty sure I’m going to kill them.”

I pointed to Demetri just as he pointed to me.

“Fine, I get it. You wanted them to have a nice car since all your shit is back in LA. Still pissed you bastards tricked me into leaving it here in the first place.” Jaymeson threw up his hands.

Laughing, I slapped him on the back. “Does it really matter? The girls deserve a nice, fancy car to drive to the spa, and we only have the Jeep here. Just happened to work out that you’d left your newest treasure behind when you flew out to your last movie.”

Jaymeson’s eyes narrowed as if he didn’t trust a word dripping from my mouth. “Let’s just get the party started. So, what’s it gonna be, boys? Strip clubs? Dance party? Shots?”

Demetri and I grinned at one another leading Jaymeson to the jeep.

“Wait…” Jaymeson’s eyes narrowed. “Am I going to hate you guys even more after this?”

I didn’t answer. I jumped in and started the engine. “Just think of it as a bonding experience.”

“I don’t bond with men.” Jaymeson shrugged. “So there better be strippers or—”

“Animals.” Demetri slapped his back. “Lots of female animals, take your pick.”

“And when you say animals…” Jaymeson grinned knowingly. “You mean, like crazy girls who jump around and—”