Full Circle (Tangled Web #4) Page 2

  After our breakfast conversation I went to watch cartoons with Whitley while Cin stayed behind and cleaned up the kitchen. Ashton went to make his phone call. I could hear him yelling at someone all the way upstairs. When Cin was finished she came and took Whitley away for her bath. I lay across the couch and closed my eyes. I heard Ashton enter the room.

  "So, it's done then?" I asked without opening my eyes.

  "Yeah, it's done."

  "Good," I said.

  "So, are you really okay with me moving down here?" He asked.

  "Yeah, I'm okay with it. It can't hurt having one of us here with her all the time after the twins come. Are you okay with it?" I asked him.

  "I want to be wherever she and my son are. I don't know what made me think I could be in Chicago while they were here."

  "Yeah, I figured you'd come around."

  "What?"

  "Ashton, you could hardly stay in Chicago without calling every day when you were just friends. Once we found out that you were the other baby’s father, I knew it was only a matter of time."

  "I know I'm not one of your favorite people right now, but thanks…for everything."

  "Just don't make me regret it. Today you almost did."

  "I know."

  Just then the doorbell rang and I went to answer it.

  "Hey honey." She kissed me.

  "Hey mom, what are you doing here?" I asked as she walked in.

  Cin came down the stairs with Whit and her bag.

  "She and Vivi want to take Whitley for the day." She informed me.

  "Oh…okay," I said as Cin handed Whit over.

  "Hey Whit, how's grandma's baby?" She asked kissing her. "You guys can pick her up at the house later. Just call and make sure we're back home. We're going to do some serious shopping today."

  "Mom…" I warned.

  "Hush Jax, you spoil her all the time. It's my turn."

  I held my hands up.

  "Fine," I said.

  "Thank you, now we're gonna get going. Hi Ashton…" she called out, "…you don't have to hide from me." Ashton came from behind the wall. "I know what you guys are up to. Just be mindful of what you say…and do…in front of the babies."

  "We are, Mom." I assured her.

  "Okay then honey, see you later." And with that she was out the door.

  I turned to find Cin smiling like a little devil.

  "Who's up for a shower?" She teased, taking off Ashton's shirt before heading up the stairs.

  I watched her naked ass swaying as she walked slowly up the stairs. Ashton bent over and picked up the shirt. He put it to his nose and inhaled deeply. He looked at me then smirked.

  "We really need to take it easy on her. She's almost seven months pregnant," he said.

  "I know…and we will…tomorrow." I smiled.

  We both took off up the stairs after her.

  2. From Chi-town to Houston

  *Jacinda*

  It was the beginning of June and Ashton was moving in today. He still hadn't found a place that he wanted to buy so he was staying with us until he did. I don't even know why he tried to look while he was living in Chicago. He could only see the houses the realtor picked out online or on his every other weekend visit. And I know Ashton, he was not going to buy a house that he hadn't seen in person.

  "Love, will you please sit down." He griped at me.

  "I'm trying to help you." I protested.

  "I can put up my own clothes. You however, look like you’re ready to explode. Go and sit down," he said coming up behind me, stroking my belly on both sides. "Please…you're making me nervous."

  "Fine!" I said, waddling to the bed.

  "Oh no, you're not going to sit in here and pout," he said, lying next to me. "Go sit out by the pool or something, just don't get in."

  "Yes, Dr. Buchanan," I said, rolling my eyes.

  "Will you stop being so difficult? I'm doing this for your own good." He assured.

  I had started to dilate a week ago and Ashton wouldn't let me do anything that could possibility give me an infection, that included swimming and sex. Well not oral, but penetration was a no, no, he even got Jax to go along with it even though Tara said it would be fine as long as we didn't double up in one session.

  "Ashton, Tara said it was okay."

  "Cin, please indulge me."

  "Ugh…you're the one who's being difficult!" I groaned.

  He helped me up and pulled me into him.

  "What time is Jax getting home?" He asked.

  "I think five, why? What'd you have in mind?" I smiled.

  Jax had been coming home early since I'd started dilating. He was scared I'd go into labor and he'd miss something. I was eight months and I was huge. Tara didn't think I would make it to July.

  "Get your filthy mind out of the gutter." He teased. "I just wanted to go to the store and grab a few things, but I can wait until he gets here."

  "No, let's go. I got cabin fever anyway."

  "I don't know, love. I don't want you on your feet too long. You haven't exactly been resting today."

  "Ashton, if you don't stop babying me." I growled at him.

  "I just want…"

  "Damn it, Ashton… let's just go to the fucking store already!" I shouted at him.

  "Fine! I can't wait until you drop that damn load! You're getting meaner by the day!" He spat.

  "Fuck you!" I said, getting pissed.

  "I really wish you could. I need some pussy bad," he said, palming my ass, chuckling.

  I slapped his hand and headed for the door to his room. He followed me out.

  "You act like you've been deprived. And you're the one cutting me off." I sneered, picking up my pace.

  He grabbed me around the waist and spun me around. Then he pressed me up against the wall in the hallway and leaned over me.

  "Hmmm…baby, don't get me wrong, your mouth is the bomb. But after that good ass head I need some of that sweet little pussy." He moaned in my ear.

  I pressed my hand into his chest trying to push him back but he wouldn't let me.

  "So, let me get this straight. You cut me off from you, and Jax, and now you’re complaining about not getting any pussy. I'll try and remember that before I get pregnant again," I said, ducking under his arm, trying not to look at him.

  "Hey, what's wrong with you? You know I'm kidding," he said, pulling me back to him.

  "Nothing…it's nothing."

  "No, come on, love, talk to me."

  "It's nothing. Can we just go now?"

  "No, not until you talk to me," he said, not letting me pass him.

  "I'm just tired of being pregnant, okay?"

  He lifted my face and kissed my lips.

  "I know you are. But it'll be over soon and we'll have two, beautiful, baby boys, thanks to all your hard work. I know this is hard on you, but Jax and I are here. Whatever you need, it's yours." His thumb traced my lips slowly.

  I looked down with my eyes.

  "I feel like I'm not holding up my end of the bargain," I said softly.

  "What bargain?" He asked.

  "It's been like two weeks since we've had sex and I know you and Jax have needs…"

  "Baby, I was kidding about that. I mean of course I want you, but our babies are more important to me than sex. I'll live and so will Jax. That's not what this is about for me and I'm sure Jax feels the same way. I'm sorry if I've ever made you feel that that's all that matters to me. I was just teasing you earlier. I didn't mean to upset you, okay?"

  I nodded and he pulled me close. He ran his lips softly over mine, giving me quick, soft pecks on my lips.

  "I love you, and everything’s okay, I swear. Just get these two here safely," he said, caressing my belly. "You love me?"

  "Yes Ashton, I love you."

  "Good." He smiled. "Now go grab your purse. I'll get Whitley. You do need to get out of this house."

  0*************0

  I was standing in the aisle at Walmart sniffing deodorant wit
h Ashton and Whit when I heard a familiar voice. I touched Ashton’s arm and he looked up at me.

  "Who knew picking a damn deodorant scent was so tedious?" He smiled, letting Whit smell the one currently in his hands.

  "I could've clued you in." I laughed.

  "You like that one, princess?" He asked her and she nodded. He threw it in the basket.

  I heard the voice again and looked in the direction in which it was coming.

  "I think I hear Colt. I'll be back." I told Ashton and he nodded.

  I walked out of the aisle and followed the voice until it stopped. I ended up in men's socks and sure enough Colton was there looking over the assortment.

  "Just pick one, Colt, they're all white." I laughed.

  "Hey…hey Cin, what are you doing here?" He stammered looking around. I looked around to. Who was he looking for and why was he acting so strange?

  "Ashton needed deodorant, a toothbrush, toothpaste…you know, that kind of stuff." I shrugged. "You're obviously getting socks." I gestured toward pile in his basket.

  He nodded. "They're on sale."

  "Oooh, I need some of these! Where are they?" I asked, pulling the wife beaters out his basket revealing a box of…tampons?

  I picked them up and examined the box. I held it up to him and gave him the 'what the hell?' look.

  "They're not mine," he said.

  "Duh, Colt, I figured that much out myself. Where's this girl none of us can meet?" I asked.

  I knew it was Catalina and I knew she was here. That's who he was talking to. I wanted to see if he had the balls to finally fess up. If we could confirm that he was dating her we could start trying to get rid of her. But as long as she was in the shadows we had to play along.

  "She's not here," he said quickly.

  "Damn, she's got you buying feminine products for her? And you say Jax is whipped." I teased.

  "Jax is whipped," he said, smiling nervously. "Look I need to go."

  "Colton, I found the cutest pajamas…" Catalina trailed off as she saw me.

  I looked between her and Colton.

  "What the hell?" I asked looking at him.

  "It's not what you think…" Colt said.

  "Oh, I think it is. What I don't get is, why?"

  "It's not, we're just friends…"

  "Oh Colton, we couldn't keep it under wraps forever." Catalina interrupted. "If we're ever going to take this to the next level your family needs to know about us," she said, and Colton looked at her.

  "Catalina…" he said.

  "Honey, it's okay. They were bound to find out." She smirked at me then looked at my belly. "Looks like Jaxon's keeping you barefoot and pregnant. You look like you're about to pop." She crinkled her nose.

  I ignored her and looked at Colt.

  "Colt, what are you doing? Have you completely lost your mind?"

  "Jacinda, you can't tell Jax. He'll flip…" Colt said.

  Just then Ashton walked up with Whitley in the shopping basket.

  "You ready?" He asked me.

  Catalina's eyes stopped squinting at me and focused happily on Ashton. She took him in quickly, and then she pranced her bony ass right next to him. She was looking him up and down like he was her next meal.

  "Hellooo, I'm Catalina, and you are?" She asked, extending her hand.

  Ashton looked at me with one eyebrow raised. I rolled my eyes as he took her hand and shook it.

  "I'm Ashton."

  "Ashton…" she said, letting his name roll off her tongue. "I don't remember meeting you, Ashton. I would never forget a face like yours, honey. How long have you been working for Jaxon?"

  Ashton looked at me with the 'is this bitch serious' look. I shook my head smiling. He smiled his crooked smile at me and Catalina stopped breathing and stared at him. She was damn near fucking him with her beady ass eyes.

  "I don't work for Jax. I grew up with him and Jacinda in Seattle."

  "I see, and are you just visiting?" She asked, stepping closer to him.

  I'd had enough, but before I could say anything Colton cleared his throat stopping Catalina's questioning and preventing Ashton from answering. He was glaring between Ashton and Catalina.

  He was pissed. But it was his so-called girlfriend that was hitting on Ashton. Jax was right; she wasn't interested in Colt at all.

  "Catalina, I think we better go," Colt said.

  "Perhaps we should," she said, giving Ashton one last look-see.

  "Jacinda, are you going to tell Jax?" He asked.

  "I can't keep this from him, Colt. We have a restraining order against her for God's sakes. He's not going to be happy about this."

  "He can't tell me what to do or who to see."

  "You’re right, but couldn't you have found someone who hadn't threaten my life and isn’t your cousin’s ex? I mean it’s a little unorthodox, don't you think?"

  "Are you really asking me that with the shit you guys have going on? This kind of shit is right up his fucking alley. Who is he to judge me?" he said, looking at me then at Ashton.

  "We’re not judging you, and you know what I mean."

  "No, I really don't. Why is it okay for the golden boy and his friend tag team his wife, but I can't date his ex? You know what, fuck Jax and fuck…"

  Ashton stepped to Colton.

  "Fuck who, Worthington!" Ashton hissed.

  I grabbed his arm.

  "Don't…please," I begged.

  He took my hand and kissed it letting me know he was calm. Catalina looked at Colt, Ashton, then me slightly confused.

  "Colt, this is not the place for this. It’s a family matter…" I said looking at Catalina.

  "Of course, it is, because you and Jax don’t want your business all over Houston. I’m done with this conversation and I'm not going to stop seeing her. Tell Jaxon if you want to."

  I shook my head.

  "Colton…"

  "Hold on, what did you just say?” Catalina asked astonished.

  Colt didn't repeat himself though, he just grabbed their shopping cart and Catalina’s hand.

  "Let's go."

  0****************0

  When we got in the car Ashton kept glancing my way. I turned toward him.

  "What is it?" I asked, annoyed.

  "So, that's Jax's infamous ex?"

  "Yep, that's the…bitch," I whispered, turning around to make sure Whit didn't hear me.

  "She's kinda hot." He teased.

  "Sure, if you're into psychos."

  He laughed.

  "How'd Jax end up with her? She's not his type at all. She's more…"

  "Your type," I said.

  "Yeah." He smirked.

  "I don't know. He says he was rebounding from me and was tired of mindless fucking. He wanted to settle down and she was the one he was with when he had his epiphany."

  "Sounds like Jax. Always the responsible one." He quipped.

  I smiled and nodded.

  "Don't knock it, Ashton, you're dangerously close to becoming…dare I say…responsible." I covered my mouth dramatically.

  He laughed.

  "Well having a kid changes you, and so does love. It makes you do crazy shit."

  "Yeah, because being responsible is so out of line and crazy," I said rolling my eyes.

  "That's not the crazy I'm talking about. I'm talking about you, me and Jax, hooking up."

  "Oh…" I murmured.

  I looked at him but he was staring out the window. Was he having second thoughts? Did he regret his decision?

  My heart damn near stopped with that last thought.

  In true Ashton fashion, like he was reading my mind, he touched my thigh and I looked at his hand afraid to look in his face.

  "I'm not going anywhere, love, you can calm down."

  "I don’t want to lose you. You, Jax and the kids are my life."

  He smiled bigger than I'd ever seen him smile.

  "You have no idea how good it feels to hear you say that."

  "I mean it too, eve
ry word," I said, twining our hands.

  "I know."

  We pulled into the gate at Whitley and followed the road back to my house. As we approached, I saw Jax's Ferrari in the driveway. He was home early.

  "Daddy's home!" Whitley shouted.

  "Yes, Whit, daddy's home." I smiled.

  "Uncle Ashton…" she could finally say his name, "…let me out!"

  "Alright, let me stop the car first."

  As soon as the car came to a stop Jax was at the door helping me out while Ashton let Whit out her car seat. He pulled me into his arms and sniffed my hair.

  "Hey beautiful, I've missed you."

  "You haven't been gone that long, Jax."

  "I know, but I still missed you."

  "You're home early," I said resting my head on his chest.

  "Yeah, they don't need me there today. I'm letting them handle it," he said, rubbing my back.

  "Daddy!" Whit yelled.

  "Honeybee!" He yelled back bending over to scoop her up.

  "I missed you, daddy."

  "Me too, Whit," he said, kissing her forehead. "What's up Ash? Did all your shit make it down in one piece?" He asked, looking at Ashton.

  "Everything that was supposed to make it did."

  "Your furniture…"

  "I only brought a few things down. I left the rest in Chicago. I did buy a new baby grand though. It’s too much to have them shipped. It will be delivered tomorrow. I'd like to leave it here, if that's okay."

  "That’s cool…so where you guys been?" He asked, kissing me.

  "We went to the store." I smiled.

  "You know Zoya could've gone for you…"

  "You know I don't do that rich bitch shit. I can go to the store and buy my own stuff."

  He held up his hands.

  "Fine, did you at least get me some more wife beaters? Better yet, did you get yourself some?" He smirked.

  "Of course, I got you some, and no I didn't buy myself any. I like stealing yours and Ashton's. They're way more comfortable and they have your scent in them."

  Jax looked at Ashton who just shrugged smiling.

  "Don't look at me…you married her." He teased.

  I rolled my eyes.