MEGAN
I SIGHED, a long deliberate sigh, and paused a moment before I stepped into the King’s mansion.
After my long talk with Mom in the morning, and she seemed okay, I received a call from Camila, inviting me to come over tonight. I missed them, but I understood why we couldn’t do it like we used to.
“Meg!” Camila looked stunning than ever in her white strappy dress.
“I thought you’re drowned in wine with his come and magically turned into a vine in Italy.” I pulled her into a hug.
“Touché. I missed your bad mouth though.” She chuckled heartily.
“Really? So how was your honeymoon? Did he always blow your mind that you thought you’re in a milky way and cuff you that you couldn’t even text me?”
“Silly. B and Blaine are already waiting for you. Why I am not surprised anymore that you’re late?”
Being early was not really my strong suit when meeting them, but they still loved me anyway. When it came to the job though, I made sure not to be tardy.
My brow arched. “I see. So B1 and B2 left their husbands for us? Now I feel so special.” I felt excited that everyone would be here today.
We reached the enormous living room and found Sammer rolling on the floor.
“Oh, my God! Are you trying to train to be a soldier, you little bug? I don’t think your daddy will allow you though. Isn’t it cool to be a jet fighter pilot? Badass, huh?” I tickled her tiny body. She turned red and let out a bubbly laugh.
Blaine came over. “Is it true?” she asked after kissing my cheek without beating around the bushes. She was smiling brighter than the sunshine.
“What’s true?” I asked back nonchalantly and held Sammer’s hand. “Where’s my boy?”
“Ben is with his daddy, playing softball.” We moved to the bar where Bianca and Camila were giggling.
“Of course, the daddy’s boy.” I was referring to Xandry. He became the best father of the year for Ben and Sammer. Ben’s father may be in the picture now, but he was closer to Xandry than to his father. I didn’t see that coming, and I was impressed.
“Yeah. Sammer is supposed to be with Shine, but she has exams on Monday. So I let her stay with me for a while, right, Sammy?” Blaine answered, giving a loud smack on Sammer’s chubby cheek. The girl squealed cheerfully.
I believed people change. My mind went back to Forrest, thinking if he lit another stick after I snatched one from him. He just reminded me of someone dear to me. I let out a breath, ignoring the pang in my chest.
I leaned down to kiss Bianca on her cheek. “I’m surprised you didn’t bring Kelly with you.” Kelly was her baby girl with Kyland. I cut off Bianca before she could answer. “Let me guess, she’s with Kill.”
Bianca kissed me back. “Yup. They’ll be here soon.”
I looked away, feeling my throat parched. I realized I was jealous than I had to admit.”So, about my question, Meg?” Blaine pressed.
I rolled my eyes. “What’s true? Can you be a little more specific?” I took a glass of Champagne on the counter and sipped it. “What are we celebrating?”
“I’m pregnant.”
My eyes widened in surprise. I didn’t know how did I place down the flute. The last thing I knew, I was lifting Camila like she weighed nothing. “Oh, my god, bitch! Look who had been busy rolling in the hay. Or should I say rolling in the vineyard? Oh god, babe. Harder!”
“Hush! There’s a kid, silly.” Blaine slapped my butt playfully.
I laughed boisterously. “Oops! Sorry, Sammy.” I looked at Camila again who was smiling gleefully at me. “Oh, my god, bitch,” I whispered the last word. “Double congratulations!” I kissed her twice. Her company just landed a huge deal with one of the biggest automobile manufacturers in the world. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks! I’m so excited and scared about how to be a mom at the same time.”
“Silly, look at me. Do I look scared? Maybe I was when I had Ben, but I made it through because of my family. We’re here for you. Your mom, and of course, Pyke will take care of you,” Blaine said, encouraging Camila.
“He’s so happy, Cam.” Bianca gripped her hand.
She released a sigh of relief. “I know. We’d been trying for over a year, and now, I am pregnant, I still can’t wrap my head around it. It feels like a dream come true.”
Of course, it was. Who didn’t want to have a bundle of joy with a hot husband like Pyke who loved her very much? They could even hire a nanny for each child they were going to pop. Money was not a problem. Pyke was rich, and so was Camila who her father left millions worth of assets.
They all went back to the counter and sat on the stools. They watched me closely and crossed their legs simultaneously.
“What’s with the fuss? Why do I feel like I am under interrogation tonight?” I crossed my arms over my chest, eyeing them one by one.
“So, what’s with you and Forrest?” Camila started, literally grinning.
I could feel the foreseeable guilt began to spread over me because I had to lie to them. When my face started to burn, I threw them a glare. “What about me and Forrest?”
“I’ve been rooting for both of you for a while now. The sparks. Oh, my god! The sparks. It could light a fire. Everyone can sense it when you two are around, it’s like everywhere. So magical.” Bianca did a hand signal. “Now, spill it, bitch,” she pressed, glancing at Sammer if she could hear her.
“It doesn’t suit you,” I sneered. “So magical? Sparks? Where did those come from?”
“Don’t lie to us, Meg.”
“There’s nothing to spill.”
“Why don’t you visit your mom. Fix your trust issues,” Camila said, looking hopeful.
“You’ve been busy these past few weeks, Meg. And a little birdy told me that it has something to do with Broody,” Blaine added.
“We all were, but I don’t have trust issues. And I met Mom.”
Their faces lit up.
“Great. I’m happy to hear that. And that’s why you’ve been busy?” Bianca asked, not nearly convinced. I knew they wanted to hear some juicy detail. Sadly though, there wasn’t.
“Of course, not. I was busy searching for a job because my ex-boss wanted to shove his little dick into my vagina.”
“Your mouth,” Camila chided. “I’m sorry, Meg. Why didn’t you even tell us? You know I can offer you a job.”
I screwed my face. “I told you I don’t wanna work with you because you’re my best friend.”
“Silly, you were good with your previous job, weren’t you? You will be hired because you’re qualified, not because we are best friends. Can you swallow your hubris for a while and accept my offer?”
“So, you’re jobless right now?” Blaine inquired.
I looked down. I couldn’t tell them that I was currently working for my mom because it was way more embarrassing to work for your mother than for your best friend. “Got a receptionist job for the meantime until I find a better stable one.”
“Pyke can help you if you don’t wanna accept my offer,” Camila said.
“I know and thanks, but I’m good. Really.”
“Now let’s go back to our topic. What’s the score between you and Forrest?”
“Stop it, Blaine.” I glared at her.
She started laughing like there was no tomorrow. Even Sammer joined her mama. “See, even my baby is laughing with me, right, Sammy? Because Aunt Meg knows now how to keep secrets from us.” God, she’s a pain in the ass.
“Come on, Meg. Spill it. My husband would never lie to me. You’ve never hide anything from us especially when it comes to your no dating policy thingy. So, let me guess, this thing between you and Broody is something serious, huh? Good to know that you finally consider getting into a serious relationship, and not ghosting someone once he asks if he can see you again,” Cam remarked.
“I’m going home.” I scowled and turned around, ready to escape, only to freeze in place and render speechless when Forrest made his grand entrance. He stole my breath away even though he hadn’t seen me yet.