Indecent Proposal (Tangled Web #3) Page 3

"But…"

  "Bethany, I'm not having a baby with you. And why were you talking to my mom all reckless? She's been nothing but nice to you."

  "Your mother tolerates me and that's it."

  "She's never been rude to you and she certainly hasn't spoken to you the way you did to her tonight."

  "I've never felt welcomed by your family, and if your precious Jacinda is around forget about it!"

  "Are you still hung up on that?"

  "I can't fucking compete with her. You all love her and…"

  "It's not a competition so why do you always make it one? When are you going to get over the fact that Cin and I are friends?" I griped.

  "Never!" She yelled. "I'm never going to get over it, okay. I hate her. I hate that your brother is married to her best friend. I hate that your parents love her. And I fucking hate that you love her. Where do I fit in? I don't have a place in your life, Ashton."

  "So, you thought having my baby would give you this position you desire?" I stopped in her driveway.

  "Yes and no. I want a child and I want it with you. Did I hope that it would cement my position in your life? I guess maybe I did. For once I would have something she didn't."

  "I don't even know what to say to that. I thought you were over the whole Jacinda thing." I huffed. "This is my fault. I really shouldn't have let this go on as long as it has. I should've ended things between us when you told me you were in love with me."

  "What?" She shouted.

  "Shit's all messed up and now you think that this thing between us is more than it is. For Christ's sakes, you want me to knock you up. I'm not going to do that. Why you would even want me to is beyond me." I admitted.

  "What are you talking about?"

  "We shouldn't be having kids together is what I'm talking about. We're not in love and we don't have any semblance of a real relationship. That's not the right environment to raise a kid in."

  She started crying and I really felt bad, but I had to end this. She had lied when she said she could handle this type of arrangement, and it was time for me to walk away because she never would. She'd just keep trying to fill shoes that she and I both knew she could never fill.

  "This has to end. Enough is enough."

  "Excuse me?"

  "This…us, it's over. I'm sorry but…"

  *SLAP*

  "What the fuck?" I yelled my face stinging.

  "You fucking bastard! You’re breaking up with me?" She yelled.

  "I can’t really break up with you since we were never officially together, but I am putting an end to this," I said, rubbing my cheek. "You can't handle it and I can't handle you. I'm really sorry but I think you know that it's for the best as well."

  She jumped out the car and slammed my door so hard the damn window shook.

  "Fuck you, Ashton Buchanan!" She yelled.

  I sat there and watched as she stomped up the stairs and slammed the door. I sat for a minute with my head on the head rest. That didn't go so well.

  I picked up the phone and hit the number one.

  "Hello?" She said groggy.

  "I'm sorry. Were you sleeping?"

  "No, not quite, but I was on my way."

  "I'll call back tomorrow…"

  "You got me up so you better tell me why."

  I laughed.

  "I ended things with Bethany tonight."

  "What happened? I thought you were just telling her that you didn't want a kid."

  "I was going to do that until she announced to my whole family at the dinner table that we were going to have a baby."

  "She did what?" She was awake now.

  "And she got fly with Mom."

  "I know she didn't get away with that."

  "Hell no, you know Mom got with her," I paused, "I feel bad about hurting her."

  "Then why'd you do it, Ashton?"

  "She couldn't handle it."

  "Meaning…" she prompted.

  "Meaning she wasn't as okay as she led me to believe with us being friends with benefits."

  "You finally saw that, huh?"

  "No…she told me. Wait a minute, you knew?"

  "Well I figured."

  "How?"

  "I don’t know, maybe because she was always saying shit to me under her breath and giving me dirty looks."

  "Why didn't you say something?"

  "You needed someone in your life. I didn't want to mess that up for you."

  "But I wasted another year trying to make things work with her. And you had to be miserable dealing with her bullshit."

  "I can handle, Bethany. Besides, it's worth it if you’re happy."

  "But I wasn't."

  "Then you lied to me, yourself, and you should've left her before now."

  "I didn't lie…not completely anyway. I was comfortable…maybe content, is a better word I suppose."

  "Ash, you don't have to settle. Find someone that makes you happy," she said.

  "That's easier said than done. And next time, tell me honestly what you think of the woman I'm seeing. It may save me a lot of precious time." I teased and she laughed.

  "Right, cause calling her out is the perfect way to make friends."

  "Cin, you're my friend. The only person you need to worry about is me."

  "You really have issues with sharing."

  "Umm…maybe a little." I admitted.

  "You need to work on that," she said.

  "Do I? I don't think so." I laughed.

  "Sweetness, tell Ashton bye." I heard Jax say in the background.

  "Okay," she laughed.

  "Look Ash, I have to go. Call me when you get to Chicago, okay? And I'm sorry about Bethany. I'm on the lookout for you."

  "Don't bother. I'm living the single life for a little while. I'll call you after I get settled in."

  "Alright… Jax, stop it!" She giggled and I rolled my eyes.

  "Bye, Jacinda."

  "Bye," she said, hanging up.

  I pulled into my garage and went into the house to start packing. After grabbing my luggage out the closet I threw some of my favorite clothes on the bed. Folding them neatly I placed them in the bags. Then I put my textbooks, still in the shrink wrap, in my backpack along with some other what nots I had purchased for school. I stared at the bags for a few minutes. Today had been a long fucking day. Walking up the stairs to my bedroom I sighed. I needed a hot shower and my bed.

  3. Indecent Proposal

  ~Jaxon~

  "Jacinda, let's go!" I yelled up the stairs. "Vivian's going to kill us if we're late!"

  Jacinda came down the stairs with Whitley in her arms.

  "I'm coming!" She growled. "Did you call your mom and make sure she can still take Whitley?"

  "Yes babe, she's going to meet us at the main house. She and your mom are going to keep an eye on her while we do the wedding thing." I told her.

  "Alright… Hey, do you think she'll be able to get dressed with Whitley there?"

  "Yes, I do, now come on." I smiled pulling her into a kiss.

  "Do you realize that we're about to become brother and sister in-laws as well as husband and wife?" I chuckled.

  "I do. I was just thinking about that actually."

  "Is that weird? I mean, am I living up to my southern, redneck heritage by being married to my sister in-law?" I asked, grinning.

  "You are so far from being a redneck, are you kidding? Besides, it's not like I'm your cousin or something. And we were married first, cowboy. That makes Vivian the redneck; she's the one marrying her brother in-law." She laughed.

  "That's right." I laughed. "I can't wait to fuck with her about that." I smiled.

  "I'm sure you can't, but do it after the wedding. You know she's going to be a nervous wreck today, which means she's gonna be a bitch." Cin warned as she put Whit in her car seat.

  "I’ll be good, but it's on at the reception," I said and she shook her head.

  "I bet the two of you were a handful as children."

  "You have no idea."

  I leaned over the console in the truck and pulled her to me by her shirt. She turned and looked at me. I puckered my lips. She smiled as she leaned in to kiss me.

  "I love you."

  "Me too."

  I started the truck up and headed toward the main house. The ride over was quiet and short. I pulled in front of the house and went to help Jacinda out. I grabbed Whit out the car seat and kissed her perfectly plump little lips.

  "Wove you, Daddy," she said.

  "Daddy loves you too, Bee." I smiled, looking at my baby girl. Her blue eyes glistened in the sunlight as she squinted trying to keep it from hurting her eyes. She buried her face in my neck tickling my chin with her curls.

  "You need your sunglasses?"

  I reached in the cup holder and gave her the glasses Vivi had bought for her. She grabbed them and put them on smiling.

  "Ouch, baby you're hot!" I teased and she blushed.

  "Tank you," she said hugging me.

  "You're welcome, baby," I said squeezing her back.

  0*************0

  As soon as we walked in the house I stood Whit up and she ran to Gramps begging to go ride the horses.

  "Not today. Today is Auntie Vivi and Uncle Kobe's wedding, honey. I'll take you another day." I told her.

  "Daddy, pease!" She begged, pouting.

  "Later, daddy promises," I said walking to her. I held my arms open for her and she ran to me. I grabbed her and threw her up in the air. Her golden curls flew about and she laughed loudly and happily. I pulled her to me and she grabbed my face in her little hands and kissed my nose. My mom came into the room and smiled at me.

  "Hey, look who's here," I said flipping her around.

  "Gramma!" She shouted and mom held her hands out for her.


  "How's grandma's baby?" Mom asked taking her from me. "You ready to put on your pretty dress?"

  "Pretty dress?" Whit looked confused.

  "Yes, you get to wear a pretty dress to Auntie Vivi's wedding." My mom smiled.

  "Wedding?"

  "Yes, it's like a big party, for Auntie Vivi and Uncle Kobe."

  "Uncle Kobe! Party!" Whit loved her Uncle Kobe. He and Vivi spoiled her to death.

  "Yes honey, Uncle Kobe is here. Don't you want to look pretty for my wedding?" Vivi asked as she kissed Whit, still in my mom's arms.

  "Yes, pretty Whitley." She repeated, clapping her hands.

  "Okay, then let grandma put your pretty dress on." Vivi smiled.

  "Okay…but no brush!" She argued. And we all laughed.

  "Whitley, you have to get your hair washed and brushed today." Cin told her.

  "No brush!" She pouted and I reached out to pull her lip. She smiled.

  "Will you let daddy do it for you?" I asked. She nodded and reached for me. I took her from my mom.

  "Jax, you need to get to the hotel," Vivi said.

  "Vivian, Kobe is a big boy. I'm sure he knows how to get himself dressed and to the church in a timely manner," I said.

  "How long have you known Kobe, Jax?" Vivi asked and I rolled my eyes. "Cin and I will help with Whitley. You go and make sure my fiancée has his ass at the church on time. Please Jax…"

  "Fine… Bee will you let mommy do your hair today?"

  She shook her head.

  "Bee, if you want daddy to let you ride the horses you have to get your hair brushed."

  She frowned.

  "Don't frown, baby. Mommy's going to make you even more beautiful for the party," I said running my hand through her baby soft hair. "Now give me some suga, daddy has to go."

  "I want to go wif you." She wrapped her arms around my neck.

  "You're going to see daddy at the wedding."

  "No daddy!" she whined squeezing tighter.

  "Whitley…come on sweetie..." I said rubbing her back. I hated it when she did this. I felt so guilty for leaving her. I looked at Cin for help.

  She came up to me and took Whitley.

  "Come on Whit, let daddy go honey. You'll see him in a few."

  Whitley buried her face in Jacinda's hair. She was upset. I shook my head.

  "She's okay. She's just sleepy."

  I nodded, but I felt like shit. She gave Whitley to mom who took her upstairs.

  I pulled Jacinda to me.

  "Thanks babe. I'll see you later." I smiled holding her chin.

  "Okay," she cooed as I leaned into her and kissed her softly. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around my neck. Her body pressed into mine causing the blood to rush to my dick and me to wonder if we had time for a quickie.

  Suddenly I felt her pull away. I scowled at Vivi as she pulled Cin toward the stairs.

  "Sorry, but I can see where this is going. You need to get to the church and we need to get ready. You have the whole weekend for that," Vivi said undeterred.

  Jacinda smiled and mouthed 'later cowboy'.

  Tonight we were staying at the hotel where the reception was being held. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe were keeping Whitley for us while they were here. So, I got us the penthouse suite for the weekend. We were going to take full advantage and enjoy some quality time together.

  0************0

  I was standing outside the sanctuary doors with Jacinda's arm in mine waiting for the music to start. When the song came on she tightened her grip on me.

  "What?" I asked.

  "Nothing, it's just fun walking down the aisle with you again," she said, smiling. "Sure you’re up to it?" She winked.

  "Absolutely beautiful, I would marry you over and over again," I said cupping her cheek.

  "Me too, over and over," she said stretching to kiss me.

  Our lips touched and I immediately wrapped my arm around her. She moaned into my mouth and deepened our kiss. I was lost in seconds.

  "Um hum!" Vivi cleared her throat. "I think you two should be walking now. I mean don't let me interrupt you! It's only my wedding and my future husband waiting for me at the end of the aisle!" She damn near screamed at me all bridezilla like.

  The crowd in the church laughed and I looked toward the doors. They were open and Alice and Maxwell were already at the end waiting for Jacinda and me. Cin smiled and took my arm again.

  "I think we better go," she said.

  "Yes, go, get your asses down there!" Vivi hissed holding dads arm.

  I smiled and took Jacinda's hand in mine.

  "Shall we?"

  "Indeed, we shall."

  I led Jacinda down the aisle. When we were about half way down I notice that her stride had changed. I looked at her but her eyes were in the crowd. She smiled and winked her eye. I followed her gaze and saw Ashton smiling at her.

  So, he made it. He wasn't sure if he would. He had some things going on with school and wasn’t sure if he was going to make the wedding. Cin begged him to try. I should’ve known he wouldn't miss it then. Like me, he had a problem telling her no. And he hadn't seen her since her parents Fourth of July picnic and Whitley's first birthday before that.

  His eyes moved from Jacinda's to mine and he nodded when they met. I returned the gesture.

  "Daddy! Mommy!" Whitley shouted earning chuckles from the crowd as mom and Brionne tried to calm her down.

  "Gramma, that's my daddy!" She shouted again and Jacinda stifled a laugh and let go of my hand. We walked to our separate sides of the alter where she stood next to Ali and I stood next to Max.

  "Gramma, I want my daddy." I heard Whitley say. My mom stood and began walking out of the church. She was going to miss everything. Vivi would be so upset if she did.

  I cleared my throat to get her attention. She turned toward me, and I motioned for her to bring me Whitley. She hesitated, and I gestured with my hand again. She quickly walked toward me and handed me my baby.

  "Honey…?"

  "It's okay. I don't want you to miss anything. She's fine," I said.

  "Alright," she said as she kissed me quickly. She sat back in her seat just as the wedding march started.

  I kissed Whitley and she laid her face in my neck. She always did that when she was sleepy. I rubbed her back gently.

  "Daddy's little Honeybee..." I whispered to her and her little hand tightened around my tie. I looked at Jacinda, who was watching me and beaming. I winked at her and she blew me a kiss.

  When I turned toward the aisle again Vivi and dad were halfway down. She looked so beautiful and I could feel how happy she was. It was radiating off her. I looked at Kobe and in true Kobe fashion he was crying. I was glad that Vivi was marrying him. Kobe was the perfect man for her. He was the only guy that I'd ever seen besides myself, that could handle Vivian. He was the perfect combination of hard and soft. He loved her unconditionally, but he gave it to her straight and didn't let her run all over him.

  0*************0

  By the time the ceremony was over Whitley was knocked out in my arms. I took her to the limo where it was cool, so she could nap. While she slept I watched the people file out of the church and dissipate. They were all headed to the hotel for the reception. The last to leave was my family and the Wolfe's. They were standing on the steps hugging and talking while the limo's lined up for them.

  I watched as my mom made her way to the limo. I rolled down the window.

  "Hey honey, she’s still asleep, huh?" She smiled looking at the sleeping baby on my chest.

  "Yeah, it’s her nap time," I said smoothing her hair.

  "You want me to take her? She can ride with us."

  "I’ve got her," I said sniffing her hair. She smelled like baby shampoo and baby lotion. I loved her scent.

  “You're so good with her," Mom said stroking my hair back, then tucking it behind my ear. I had let it grow out a little. It was past my ears in the front but was tapered in the back.

  "Thanks mom." I smiled.

  "You're welcome. You know you and Jacinda really do make beautiful babies." She smiled, and I chuckled. "And this child is rotten. Look at her gripping you. She loves her daddy, doesn't she?" She smiled running her hands through Whitley’s thick curls.

  I nodded proudly.

  "I'm so proud of you, Jaxon." She sobbed.

  "Aww…Mom, don't cry for god’s sake," I said taking her hand and kissing it.

  "Sorry, it’s just…you and Vivi are all grown up and you're making families of your own. I'm a grandma for crying out loud. I'm getting old, and I'm getting old alone."

  "You're not alone and you're not that old either. What's up with you? You okay?"