Playing it Out, page 18
I continued to prepare the salad as we spoke, glancing at Reece from the corner of my eye. I knew from the flare of her nostrils she was angry, but couldn't help but think of how cute she looked when she was pissed off. "These are not my words mind you and I never asked for all the details, but I believe the bet had something to do with Wyatt fucking the fat chick on prom night."
I was unprepared to feel Reece beat her fist against my upper arm. Wincing I backed away from her and rubbed at the spot that had started to throb. "I said not my words!"
Reece held her hands to her mouth with a small gasp before rushing to press her lips to my arm. "I'm sorry, Declan. It was a knee jerk reaction. You know I have a temper." She gave me a quick hug kissing the spot she had hit before resuming her chopping duties. "God I can't believe Wyatt was such a dick. Well I can believe it, I just don't want to.”
“Lucas beat the shit out of him," I continued, charmed at Reece’s form of an apology. "Broke a couple of Wyatt's ribs and his nose."
"Good for Lucas," Reece said as she popped another chocolate into her mouth. "Did he have a thing for Emma?"
"No. They were just friends. As you have probably guessed Lucas doesn't like many people and he was close with Emma. He vouched for Wyatt when he asked Emma out for the first time. When the rumor of the bet surfaced, Emma didn't want anything to do with either of them. With any of us really.”
“That sucks but I don't blame her.” After removing her apron Reece jumped up on the counter and watched me as I continued to move around the kitchen, sneaking pieces of chopped vegetables when she thought I wasn't looking.
“Me either,” I agreed setting down the pots and pans I had selected to start making our meal. I started a pot of water before traveling around the counter, stopping when I reached Reece. I stepped between her legs and started to rake my hands up and down her legs.
“I thought you were making me lunch,” she gasped as my hands started to roam higher, pushing her dress up her hips. “Are you not hungry?” I smiled at her wickedly, my hands moving on their own accord, seeking out her warmth. She seemed to realize how I interpreted her question, returning my smirk with one of her own. “That’s not what I meant you perv.”
My chuckle turned to a hearty groan of appreciation when my fingers met skin where they had expected to find cotton. “Baby, you’re not wearing any underwear,” I felt compelled to inform her as if she hadn't already known.
My thumb started worrying her heat as I kissed her lips, working my way down her body gently sucking on her breasts through the thin material of her dress. When I reached her hips, I used my hands to pull her dress up and over her head in one smooth movement. I tossed the garment to the side uncaring where it landed as I buried my face in her core.
Her hands threaded through my hair tightly bringing tears into my eyes but I couldn't have cared less. I was focused only on her pleasure, in showing her how much she meant to me. Her inner muscles tensed around my finger as I slid one inside her, making her let out a soft moan. It wasn't long before she was thrashing against me, finding her release as she gave another sharp tug on my hair. When I lifted my face to smile at her she gripped my neck and brought my lips to hers for a sweet kiss. Reece’s teeth playfully nipped me once before she released me, wrapping her arms around my back. I held her tight for a few moments before I felt her stiffen in my arms.
“Uh, babe,” she said sounding panicked. My hands moved to her face, my eyes sweeping her body checking for any sign of injury.
“What’s wrong?” I heard my voice rise, confused when she laughed and pushed at me hopping off of the counter.
“Where’s the fire extinguisher?” She found a glass and filled it with water before tossing it onto the oven where I had the pot of water simmering. The remains of Reece’s dress continued to ignite in flames as I rushed to the kitchen closet where Wyatt kept the fire extinguisher. Springing into action, I positioned myself so that Reece was behind me as I sprayed at the flames. Once I was satisfied the small fire was out, I turned from examining the mess to look at Reece who was naked, doubled over with laughter in the corner of the kitchen. Meeting my eyes she attempted to collect herself.
“Babe, we set the room on fire.”
“We better get a new one then,” I joked as I tossed her over my shoulder. Giving a gentle pat to her ass, I jogged towards the stairs. “Play now, eat later,” I said, feeling a thrill go through me when she gave a husky laugh.
“That’s what I’ve been saying all along.”
Chapter 19
Reece
My alarm had gone off three times but I couldn't find the strength to make myself get out of bed. The last time I had felt this shitty I'd had the flu for an entire week. I really hoped that wasn't the case, I hated being sick. Rubbing my hand over my forehead I could feel the sweat gathered there as strands of my hair stuck to my face.
Rolling onto my back, I felt a wave of nausea overwhelm me. I lurched to my feet running towards the bathroom causing Loki to startle in his bed. I made it to the toilet just in time to get sick in the bowl. Gathering my hair behind my head I felt my limbs start to shake as I hunched over the seat. When it seemed there was nothing left, I sat back and rested my head against the cool bathroom wall.
I hear my phone started to vibrate from where it was charging on my bedside table. I thought about letting it go to voicemail briefly before remembering it could be Declan. He had gone to meet with his mother's doctors this morning. When I had offered to go with him he told me he didn't want me to have to deal with it. The only thing that had kept me from insisting was the fact that Kenzie would be there. Although she hadn't had a change of heart where her mother was concerned, Kenzie had made it a point to show Declan her support by asking to accompany him to the appointment.
Jared’s picture popped up on the screen along with his custom ringtone which was his voice repeatedly saying, “Jared rules, Reece drools.” Climbing back into bed, I pressed the phone to my ear and closed my eyes feeling dizzy. "I'm sick," I complained by way of greeting. "My body is killing me, I’m hot and sweaty and I just puked my guts out."
"Did you eat anything weird?" He asked curiously.
"No. It's got to be the flu. I feel achy. My back and boobs are sore as hell." I rubbed a hand over my churning stomach as I tried to concentrate on his soothing voice.
"God, that sucks Reece. When are you getting your period?"
"What day is it?" I asked him not wanting to open my eyes to look at the calendar next to my bed. The summer months spoiled me, I never knew what day it was.
"It's August eleventh," he supplied dryly.
My eyes shot open as I sat up straight in bed. I grabbed for the calendar to confirm Jared’s words. "Holy shit," I breathed as my thoughts started to race. "I'm late. I'm like really late, Jared."
"It could just be stress, right? Don't freak out." Jared assured me keeping his voice low and calm. I could hear him murmur something to someone over the line before speaking into the phone again. "I'm on my way over now. I'll stop at the drugstore on my way."
"Okay," I whispered clutching my phone tightly even after Jared had hung up. He must have broken every speeding record there was because the front door to my house opened barely fifteen minutes later. "I'm in the bedroom!" I called sitting Indian style on my bed as Jared poked his head in the room.
"You look freaked," he crawled onto the bed so he was sitting across from me.
"Of course I'm freaked!" I exclaimed grabbing the drugstore bag from his hands. Wanting to get the test over with, I walked into the bathroom shutting the door behind me. I ripped the kit open and skimmed the instructions briefly trying to slow my rapidly beating heart.
"You've always wanted kids," Jared called from outside the bathroom. After finishing my business, I set the test on the counter and opened the door to see Jared perched on the edge of my bed.
I checked the clock before I started to pace the room nervously. "Planned kids, Jared."
"You're engaged to a rock star, Reece. It's not like some random loser knocked you up."
"Declan and I have barely had time to be a couple. What if our relationship isn't ready for this yet? We've never talked about kids. I don't even have a ring, Jared.” I felt tears clog my throat as I spoke.
Rising from his seated position, Jared stopped my restless pacing taking me into his arms for a tight hug. "Whatever happens, you can handle this Reece." He wiped tears from my face shaking my head lightly back and forth. “Declan seems like a stand-up guy. Has he ever given you a reason to doubt him before?"
“What if he’s not ready for this, Jared? We’ve never talked about kids and there’s so much shit going on with his mom right now.”
"Then you’ll do it on your own, Reece,” Jared’s voice was matter of fact. “Right now, you’re freaking out over an imaginary problem."
I turned my eyes back to the clock again, seeing that it was past the time for the test to show the results. Taking a deep breath, I walked back into the bathroom and picked up the stick, feeling my knees weaken as I saw the plus sign. “I need to take another test,” I declared turning on the water faucet and sitting back on the toilet. Jared picked up the stick I had tossed in the sink and frowned over at me as I tried to will myself to pee.
“You can take as many tests as you want, but there’s only one way to know for sure.” Pulling out his phone, Jared started tapping on his screen before pressing it to his ear. “Hello, I’m calling to schedule an appointment for a new patient, Reece Becker. We’re looking to see the doctor as soon as possible.” Looking over at me he gave me a thumbs up, “You have an opening this morning? That’s perfect, we’ll take it. See you then.” After hanging up the phone, Jared turned off the water. “It’s fate. Our appointment is in an hour.”
“You’re going with me,” I confirmed, feeling relieved when he nodded leaning against the doorframe. “I don't want to tell Declan until I know for sure. No point in both of us worrying if it turns out to be nothing.” We had been living in our own little love bubble and I was terrified of what would happen if it popped.
“Okay,” Jared shrugged before rubbing his hands together. “How about I make you something light to eat?” At the mention of food I thought I would have felt nauseous but I was suddenly feeling sharp hunger pains. Jared laughed at the confused look on my face. “Come on, Reece. You’re eating for two now.”
Declan
“So what you’re telling me is that she’s not dying?” I asked in a hard voice, my muscles tensing as I sat in the uncomfortable chair in the cold doctor’s office. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Kenzie practically vibrating with fury as the doctor’s steady stare measured us from across his desk.
“Mr. Kane,” he said, “I have treated your mother for nothing more severe than strep throat. These documents you’ve brought me,” he gestured towards the paper’s I had brought spread across his desk. “I’ve never seen these before and to be frank with you, these look like something anyone could have gotten off of the internet. I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this.”
“We appreciate your time, doctor.” Standing from her seat Kenzie grabbed my elbow and pulled me to my feet before dragging me towards the door without a backwards glance, not giving the man a chance to say anything else. We already heard everything we needed to know.
“I can’t believe this,” my voice boomed once we had walked out of the office into the hallway. I had never expected Mara to pull this shit with me. She could be conniving but to pretend she was dying just to get money out of me was a new low even for her.
“Oh, I can,” Kenzie scoffed crossing her arms over her stomach in a protective gesture. “How much money did she get out of you?”
“Couple grand,” I felt rage coursing through my veins as I thought about how I had been duped again. Despite everything the woman had put us through I let her trick me into trusting her word again and she had been using me just like she’d been using me her whole life. Looking at Kenzie I could see her agitation and hated myself for allowing that woman back into our lives. I had been a fool to let myself entertain the idea that this time would be different. I should have remembered there was only a few people in my life I could count on. Our mother wasn't one of them.
Sitting on the bench outside of the doctor’s office I felt a pounding headache start at the base of my skull. I pressed a hand to my forehead resting my elbow on my knee as Kenzie came to sit beside me resting her head on my shoulder. I couldn't believe how stupid I had been to put my trust in her again.
The sound of a door opening had my ears picking up as did the voice of the woman walking out of it. “Declan is going to freak out. What are we going to do, Jared?”
“Well in roughly eight months, you’re going to have a baby.”
My heart felt like lead as I lifted my head to see Reece and Jared standing across from me, smiling at each other like they had just won the lottery. Kenzie had also noticed the pair as she sat slack jawed next to me. I clenched my teeth together surprised I didn't crack a filling when Jared pulled Reece into his arms.
“With who?” I growled causing all eyes to focus on me. Reece’s widened in surprise as she saw Kenzie and I sitting outside the physician’s office. I heard Kenzie gasp beside me and assumed it was in indignation on my behalf.
“Declan?” Reece was questioning my sudden appearance as I shoved to my feet and stalked towards her shooting Jared a death glare as I did. The man had the nerve to stand his ground, crossing his arms over his chest as he sneered at me through slitted eyes. Turning back to Reece I looked down at her as her eyes search my face before peering at Kenzie over my shoulder. Without conscious thought, my body shifted to block her view.
The confused expression gave way to hurt as Reece blinked at me. “What’s wrong? What did the doctor say?”
I laughed harshly and scrubbed a hand down my face, a hollow feeling was beginning to take place in the pit of my stomach. “Well my mother’s doctor told me she’s been using me for my money again. She’s not really dying,” Reece sucked in a sharp breath but I wasn't finished. “Apparently your doctor is saying your fake cousin got you pregnant. Was all that talk about a prenup just to get me to trust you so you could use me for my money too?” Time stood still as I watched all the color drain from Reece’s face.
“Declan, what are you talking about?”
“I made an easy mark for you,” I scrubbed my hand down my face and laughed bitterly. “All that fake protest over the things I bought you, God. My mother was right the all along. I’m an idiot,” Reece gaped at me like she couldn't believe what I was saying as the words continued to spill out of me. “I mean after all you knew Jace was going to be at JJ’s that first night. This could have been your plan all along. Maybe it is my kid after all, a paternity test will have to confirm that.” Reece’s eyes filled with tears as I shook my head at her completely disgusted. “Lucas was right, you’re exactly like Cadence. Did you really even go on the pill or is this baby just insurance to make sure I would actually marry you?”
“Declan, that’s enough!” Kenzie shouted coming up behind me.
“More than,” Jared agreed placing his hands on Reece’s rigid shoulders giving her a firm shove towards the elevators. Shaking his head disapprovingly he met my gaze and slid a finger across his throat behind Reece’s back as the elevator doors closed. Reece stood still as stone her eyes looking right through me as I stood in the hallway feeling like my heart was being ripped out of my chest.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Kenzie screeched as she punched me in the chest repeatedly.
“With me?” I was hurt and outraged all over again.
“Yes with you! Did you see her face?” Kenzie gestured towards the closed elevator doors. “How could you treat Reece like that?”
“She’s been using me Kenzie!”
“Where’s your proof, Declan? God you two are practically each other’s shadow. You know she’s not that kind of person. How could you stand there and accuse her of those things? I seriously cannot believe that just happened. You just destroyed the best thing that has ever happened to you.”
My mouth opened and closed again as I felt sweat break out on my brow, my stomach lurching. Licking my dry lips I looked back at the elevator as I thought over Kenzie’s words. Was it possible I was horribly wrong?
“You fucked up, Declan,” Kenzie continued raking me over the coals. “You took everything you were feeling about what happened with mom out on Reece when she’s the last person who deserved it. God, you’re always ranting about how loyal she is and you just fucking shredded her.”
I felt my stomach pitch as I thought over what Kenzie was saying. “I should go after her,” I started to do just that when Kenzie stepped in my way.
“You should give her some space.”
“I can’t just do nothing after fucking ruining my life, Kenzie.”
My sister glared up at me clearly not having any sympathy for my situation. “Then whine in a damn song about it. You’re driving me home.” With that she turned on her heel and stalked towards the elevator hitting the button with an angry jab. “You can take some time to figure out how to fix this mess you made, Declan. I swear to God if you let our mother take this away from you, I’ll fucking kill you with her dead body.”
Despite the hole burning in my heart, I felt my lips twitch looking at the angry expression on my little sister’s face. A flush of anger had crept up her neck as she tapped her foot anxiously waiting for the elevator to come. Feeling the weight of my stare she cut a sharp look at me, her grey eyes flashing.
“I believe you would, Little One.”
By the time we got back to the farm Kenzie’s temper hadn't cooled and the dread in my gut was growing with every passing minute. Following my sister into the house, we found the family hanging out in the kitchen getting ready to eat lunch. The smile of greeting Mrs. Cooper gave us fell off her face when she took in our serious expressions. “Bad news?” She asked softly, wiping her hands on a dish towel walking towards Kenzie and I with open arms.
