Page 75 of Don't Leave Me Behind
“Yes,”I breathe, and I mean it. It’s one thing for me to be here, hiding, lying to my family. It’s another thing to make Clay continue to lie, but I need a little bit more time. “Just not today.”
I hate myself as soon as I say it, wishing I could take it back when Clay’s smile falls. It’s only a fraction, but that smile tips down and my heart strains in my chest.
“I don’t want to take away from Brooks’ big news. Otherwise, I’d text them right now. I swear it. Let’s let Brooks have today.”
Realization dons on his face, and the smile that blooms reaches all the way up into his eyes. “You’re so good.” He kneels on the bed, crawling toward me across the sheets. “Too good for me.”
“Hardly,” I whisper, hating that it was only half true. That I absolutely would not have texted them right then. Even if Brooks hadn’t announced a mystery baby. While this might have been ten years in the making, this is still too new. Too fresh. Too unsettled. I’m moving back to Benson. My life isthere. Clay just moved home; his life is here. There’s too many variables, too many things that need to be worked out before we can tell them.
He kisses me long and slow, shattering the last little bit of defense I’ve built around my heart, putting back together some of the pieces that broke ten years ago.
I’m aching between my legs by the time he pulls away. I’ve never felt so needy in my life. I don’t know if I could handle another round of Clayton right now, even if he did have time. I mean, I’d make it work, but still, I have a feeling I’ll be good and sore today as it is.
“I have to go, gorgeous. I’ll see you later?”
I can’t help but chuckle. Where would I go? I have tons of online shopping to do for my niece anyway.My niece!“Anything you want me to order for Tessa?”
Clay looks at me like I’m speaking a foreign language. “Am I supposed to have an answer for that? I have no idea what babies need.”
“Do you want some? Babies, I mean.”
“With you as their mom? Yeah, I’d take a whole brood of little Eleanors, if that’s an option.”
I bite my lip, peeking at him through my lashes. “Sounds like we’d better get busy then.”
Clay chokes on saliva, banging at his chest to try and get air back in his lungs. “Christ, you’re going to kill me.”
“I better not! We’re just getting started.” Leaning down, he pecks me on the lips one last lingering time.
“You bet your fine ass we are. Order whatever you want.” He slips a credit card out of his wallet and hands it to me.
“You don’t have to pay, I’m doing okay.”
“Can we gift them from you and me?” he asks. His eyes are wide and puppy-dog-like.
“Yeah, we could do that.”
“Then I absolutely can pay for them.”
“Fine.” I toss a pillow at his head, laughing when he dodges it and almost topples down the stairs. He chucks the pillow back, sending me a wink before he heads downstairs. I can hear him shuffling around, but if I’m honest, I have no desire to get out of bed and see him off. Plus, I think if I walked down there naked, he’d have to call in and tell them he isn’t going to make it today.
A few minutes later, the smell of coffee wafts into the loft. I stay quiet, listening to the sounds of Clay getting ready for work.
“Bye, Leni. Have a good day!”
“Be safe, Cowboy!” I call down the stairs, already pulling open the girl's chat.
Best Bitches Group Chat
I have news! huge news and somewhat less huge news.
Pepper
Oh no is his dick small?
Miya
Jesus Pepper…you have no chill
