Expect Me (Rivers Edge Book 3) (5 page)

I can’t help the raging, hot jealousy that courses unwanted through my body at the mention of another man’s name. Is she seeing someone? I was so concerned about making sure that she knew I wasn’t dating anyone, I didn’t stop to think that she might be dating. Is this man planning to be the father of my child? Over my dead body!

“Who’s Matty?” I ask, trying to keep the jealousy out of my voice. By the look on her face, I’m pretty sure I failed.

“He’s my best friend. I’m staying with him right now on his couch.”

I watch as Josselyn’s eyelids start to get heavy as the exhaustion finally takes over her body. I reach up and stroke the soft hair sweeping down on her forehead. Her eyes open up at my touch and lock on mine.

“Sleep. We’ll talk more after you’ve rested.” I continue to stroke her hair, her forehead, her cheek. I’ve been dreaming of this woman and praying that she’ll be back in my bed someday. I just had no idea that when that moment happened, she’d bring a ton of baggage that turns my world completely upside down.

*****

I’m pacing around my apartment - one small circle between my kitchen and my living room - while Josselyn sleeps on my bed. I can’t fucking believe this! The reality hasn’t even set in yet, but the words are all I can focus on. I’m going to be a dad.

I feel like a caged animal with the emotions coursing recklessly through my tight body. Where is she and the baby going to live? Will she let me be a part of his or her life? Do I want to be a part of my child’s life?

That answer is a resounding
yes!
If I can’t answer any of the other questions now or even in the near future, that answer I know as true as the color of my eyes. As certain as the name I sign on paper. I want to be that baby’s father. My baby.

I hear Josselyn’s light footfalls on my hall floor and stop in the living room to look at her. Her hair is rumpled from sleep, her eyes are awake but show signs of wariness, and her mouth is yawning, forming the most perfect little “o”.

“Hi,” she says with a small, shy smile.

“Hi. Did you sleep okay?”

“Yes, thank you.”

The silence between us is deafening. There are still too many questions that I need answered, but I decide that they can wait for now. The talk that we need to have can wait, as long as she’s here with me.

“Why don’t you go freshen up in the bathroom? We’re going to be late for dinner.”

“Dinner? I need to head back home, Travis.”

“I don’t want you to leave, Josselyn. We still have tons of things to figure out, and I was thinking - hoping, actually - that you’ll stay here with me for a few days while we get everything all sorted out.”

“You want me to stay here? Like with you?”

“You can take my bed and I’ll sleep on the couch,” I say, my eyes pleading with her to consider my offer.

“Travis, I don’t know.” I can see the desire to refuse on the tip of her tongue. It’s written all over her face. But, I also see a need there. A need to lean on me and accept the olive branch I’m offering her.

“It’ll be for as long as you want. You can stay here and we’ll figure out the next step - steps - together.” Moving towards her until I’m standing right in front of her, I grab ahold of her smaller hands that feel so at home nestled within my own, and look deep into her eyes. I can see them change from golden to deeper brown as I gaze deeply, lost in their depth. “All I know for sure is that I want to be by your side, helping you through this. I want to be there for you and our baby.”

Her beautiful eyes fill with tears as she exhales a deep breath. “I’ll stay here temporarily. We’ll figure this out. Together,” she says as she squeezes my hands.

I fight the urge to lean forward and kiss her full lips. At night when I’m all alone, I can still taste her on my lips. But as much as I want to devour her mouth right now, I know that it won’t help any in the long run. We have too many things to discuss and decide on. First, I need to feed her and my baby.

“Let’s go. We have dinner plans.”

She raises both of her eyebrows at me as she says, “Where are we going?”

“To my parent’s house. We have dinner there every Sunday night.” I feel her hands tense within mine.

“I don’t know about that,” she counters as she tries to pull away.

“It’s just dinner. You’re going to have to meet them eventually and there’s no better time than at a family dinner on Sunday night,” I say as I tighten my grip on her hands, not letting her pull her hands out of mine.

“But, what about the baby?”

“We don’t have to tell them just yet if you don’t want to. Just come. Meet them. We’ll figure it all out afterwards.”

“I’m not going to be able to hide it much longer,” she says as she looks down at her stomach. She’s wearing a red tank top and for the first time, my eyes zero in on her abdomen. It’s still early enough to be smooth and flat, but I can’t help but release her hands and give in to the desire to touch her. I look up into her eyes as if silently asking permission. When she gives me a small smile, I reach forward and gently lay my hand against her stomach. Electricity courses through my entire body, zapping all of my frayed nerve endings and short circuiting my frazzled brain.

Josselyn closes her eyes, lost in the sensations of my touch. I’m not even touching bare skin and I feel the connection, the gut-deep impact. I want to rip the material away so there’s no barriers between us and bury myself deep inside of her. I want to feel her, claim her, possess her. Only her.

Josselyn opens her eyes and I can see the need there. Her desire. It’s right there in her hazel eyes that are now a deep shade of brown. Like smooth, mouthwatering chocolate.

All too soon, the moment is broken when my cell phone starts ringing. I reluctantly drop my hand from her stomach and grab my phone off the coffee table. Mom.

“Hello?” I ask, mustering up as much cheer as possible to help alleviate the raging hard on I now spot in my shorts.

“Travis, are you coming to dinner? Everyone is here.”

“Yes, mom. I was just getting ready to leave. Be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Okay, sweetheart. Dinner will be ready shortly.”

“Alright. See you in a bit, Mom.”

“Bye.”

When I hang up the phone, I turn back to Josselyn. “I’d better go get freshened up,” she says as she turns and heads into the bathroom.

What the hell do I do now?

Five minutes later, we jump into my work truck to head out to my parent’s house. My grandfather started the company, Stevens Construction with my father running it now. Someday when he’s ready to retire, I will carry on the tradition. Tradition. Something I’ve never really thought too much about in the past. I will now have a child who will be part of this tradition.

“So, my parents are pretty awesome. My dad’s name is Michael and my mom is Elizabeth. I have three older brothers that should all be here tonight. Jake is the oldest and he lives here in Rivers Edge with his girlfriend, Erin.”

“I think I remember her from the night of the wedding. Red hair?”

“Yeah, that’s her. She’s the librarian here in Rivers Edge. Jake and Maddox are both cops. Then comes Nate and he’s a fireman here in town but works full time in St. Charles. Then, Will who is a paramedic, me, and finally Avery. Avery is the one who got married that night. She has a beautiful little girl, my niece Brooklyn, whose birthday we are celebrating tonight. She turns four tomorrow.”

“Wow, you have a big family. I feel like if someone were to quiz me right now, I’d fail miserably.”

I laugh a little before continuing. “Don’t worry about that. Tonight, we’ll take it easy and just introduce you to my family. You can talk and eat and get to know all of us.”

I pull in the long driveway that leads to my childhood home, feeling the calm wash over me. There is something about this house that brings peace and comfort. My entire childhood was spent in this home - home cooked family dinners, playing the backyard, staying up late on school nights with Will. Tons of memories flood my mind each and every time I pull up this driveway.

I park behind Jake’s truck, kill the engine, and turn towards Josselyn. “Look, whatever happens tonight, just know that we’re in this together. You won’t have to endure anything alone, do you understand me?”

Josselyn shakes her head and swallows hard. She appears to be fighting emotions threatening to take over.

“We’re in this together, Josselyn. You and me. And our baby.” And because I can’t help myself, I lean forward and place a tender kiss on her cheek. I fight to keep the kiss PG and not plant another on her lush lips. But now is definitely not the time. My family is inside waiting for me, and I can tell Josselyn’s on the verge of a mental overload.

“Come on,” I tell her as I step out of the truck and walk around to her side. “Let’s go meet my family.”

My stomach is in knots but for once, it’s not due to the pregnancy. I can’t believe how nervous I am to meet Travis’s family. As soon as we step inside the beautiful, inviting home, the cutest little blond girl runs into the foyer and makes a beeline for Travis. “Uncle Twavis!” she exclaims as she runs and jumps at him.

He’s prepared for her though and catches her mid-air and brings her up to his chest. “There’s my Bean!” he says as he plants a big kiss on her cheek. You can see the love he has for the little girl in his embrace written all over his rugged face.

Travis gives her a little tickle on her ribs before asking, “Who’s your favorite uncle?”

She giggles before throwing her arms around his neck again and answering, “You!”

Travis turns towards me with a big smile on his face. “This beautiful little lady is my niece, Brooklyn. We all call her Bean, though.”

“Hi, Brooklyn,” I say with a smile.

She smiles a full watt, gorgeous smile down at me and offers me a happy, “Hi.”

“I hear Travis,” I overhear a woman say right before she walks into the foyer. “Hi, big brother,” she says with a glowing smile on her face. I remember her from the wedding and in the photograph on the table. This is Travis’s little sister.

“Look at you! You look great. How was the honeymoon?”

“Unbelievable! I’m ready to go back to that private little beach hut,” she says with a sly smile.

“Don’t even say another word,” he tells her with a stern big-brother look.

Avery gives a full belly laugh and brings her gaze to me. “Oh, hi. I didn’t realize Travis was bringing a guest.”

That makes two of us.
“This is Josselyn. Josselyn, my sister, Avery,” Travis introduces us.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Avery says, extending her hand and offering a friendly handshake.

“Likewise,” I say, voice clearly laced with nervousness.

“Oh, Happy Birthday,” Avery says as she steps in and gives Travis a big hug.

I tense, eyes go wide with shock, as I absorbs the words Avery just said. Today is his birthday? I actually showed up and dropped the ‘baby bomb’ on him on his birthday? Smooth, Josselyn. Real smooth.

“It’s your birthday?” I whisper as my horrified eyes lock on his.

He offers me a small, apologetic smile before more family descend upon us in the foyer. An older woman that I vaguely recall from the wedding rushes in and plants a kiss on Travis’s cheek. They have the same startling blue eyes, but that’s about where the similarities end. Mrs. Stevens is slightly shorter than Avery, but they share the same blond hair.

“Mom, I’d like you to meet my friend, Josselyn. This is my mom, Elizabeth.” Travis turns his attention towards me and holds out his hand for me. Mrs. Stevens immediately gives a friendly smile and envelopes me with a big, warm hug.

“So glad you could be here, dear. It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Thank you for having me. Sorry to just show up like this,” I try to counter.

“Oh, no worries, dear. We have plenty of room and plenty of food for everyone. Why don’t you let Travis head out back and gather up his brothers and you come into the kitchen with me for a chat.” She gives me another friendly smile as she steers me towards the large kitchen.

Inside, I see the same short, redhead from the wedding standing over at the island. “Erin, dear. This is Josselyn. She came with Travis,” Mrs. Stevens says with a little wink.

“Hi, I’m Erin.” She looks at me with a quizzical expression on her face. “Have we met before?” she asks.

“Ummm, well not officially. I saw you at the wedding,” I say while dropping my eyes down to my flip flopped feet.

It’s like the light bulb clicks on for all the ladies in the room at the exact same time. “Oh!” and “Yes!” comes from each one of them.

“I knew I recognized you from somewhere,” Erin says with a huge smile.

“Travis was watching you all night. The boys all gave him such a hard time all night long,” Avery throws in with a coy smile.

“Have you guys been seeing each other since the wedding?” Erin asks.

“Oh, well, not exactly…” I trail off, not really knowing where to go from here.

Fortunately, I’m saved from sticking my foot in my mouth any further or answering any more questions I’m not prepared to answer when a big group of guys all come in the backdoor. I can tell instantly where Travis gets his height and his looks from. Mr. Stevens is the same height as Travis and has the same strong jaw and build. Travis’s hair is just a little lighter than the brown locks – well, brown with a little grey – that Mr. Stevens sports.

The two guys walking in first are obviously Travis’s older brothers. They’re both tall but with a little lighter hair and broader shoulders. They’re also pretty handsome, too. Not quite as hot as Travis, but this family definitely knows how to grow good looking men. As they walk in and take one look at me, huge, ornery smiles spreading across their faces.

“Well, well. Look who we have here, Nate,” the tallest one says to the other. “I’m Travis’s oldest brother, Jake.” Jake holds out his hand for me to shake with a huge wolfish grin on his face. Why do I all of a sudden feel like I’m the only person who isn’t aware of an inside joke?

“Josselyn,” I respond as I shake his big hand uncertainly. “Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, it’s so very nice to finally meet you, too,” he responds with a wink.
What the hell?

“And I’m Nate,” the other brother holds out his large hand also. This one I remember as the one who gave Travis a hard time when he ran into me, knocking me down.

“Hi,” I respond with a quick handshake.

“So, you came with ol’ Travis tonight, did ya?” Jake asks. Again, that ornery smile never leaving his face. His crystal blue eyes sparkle with mischief.

“Jacob Andrew, you leave that girl alone,” Erin hollers over his shoulder.

Jake’s eyes are still full of trouble, but he backs away with a wink following his girlfriend’s comment.

“Everything okay?” Travis asks as he steps around his brothers and approaches me.

“Fine. I just met your two brothers.”

Travis groans. “I was hoping to head them off before they attacked you. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just felt like I was the butt of a joke or something.”

He leans in and whispers so that those around can’t hear us. “I’ll explain later.” I also hear him inhale as his nose brushes against my ear. The slight contact and feel of his breath sends lightning flashing through my veins. I haven’t felt this reaction since that fateful night two months ago. Hell, have I ever felt this kind of reaction? Before Travis? No.

“Come on, everyone. Grab a seat. Dinner is served in the dining room,” Mrs. Stevens announces to the masses.

“Let’s go before we’re stuck sitting next to Jake or Nate. Will or Avery will be a safer bet today,” Travis mumbles as we head into the dining room.

Once we step inside the large dining room and find a seat at the massive family-style table, Nate practically runs over and quickly grabs the open seat next to me. I look over at Travis with a quizzical look when he groans and shakes his head.

“What?” I mumble under my breath.

“Nothing. He’s just going to harass us, I’m sure,” he whispers back.

Following a quick prayer, the entire Stevens family dives into the mouthwatering food spread out across the table. I’m passed delicious smelling ribs, cole slaw, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet corn, and the most scrumptious homemade rolls I’ve ever had.

As I stare at the food on my plate, I can’t help but wonder how long it’ll take to resurface. But then my stomach growls angrily, and I quickly push the potential sickness as far back in my brain as I can. I am starving and this food smells amazing.

“So, Josselyn, what do you do?” Nate asks before he shoves a heaping pile of mashed potatoes in his mouth.

“I’m actually between jobs right now,” I say in a small, ashamed voice.

“Are you looking for something in Rivers Edge?”

“I’m not sure yet,” I say and glance at Travis out of the corner of my eyes. He’s watching me. Curious, as if he’s waiting for my answer more than anything. “I may hang around Rivers Edge for awhile. Maybe get a job at a diner or restaurant.”

I glance over at him again, gauging his reaction. He seems happy with my answer, giving me a small, knowing smile filled with delight; a smile that I return.

The ribs are delicious and better than any I’ve ever had. And since I’ve worked for a caterer and in every type of restaurant imaginable, that’s saying something. By the time the meal is finished, I’m stuffed to the gills with food. I’m afraid they may have to roll me out of here. And even better, my stomach seems to be content with the food which amazes me even more than the fact that I just stuffed myself full of enough food to feed a small village.

“You feeling okay?” Travis whispers, giving me a look of concern.

“So far, so good. Just to be safe, where’s the bathroom?”

“Just on the other side of the stairs is a small half bath. If that one’s in use, there’s another up the stairs, second door on the left.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“Boys, I believe it is your turn to clean up. The girls and I are going outside to sit around the fire. You can all join us when you’re done cleaning up and making the to-go bags,” Mrs. Stevens announces before vacating her chair. “Shall we, ladies?”

Avery, Erin, and Brooklyn immediately follow her towards the kitchen and out the backdoor while all the men left at the table grumble loudly. I sit there for a moment, not really sure if I’m supposed to follow them or stay with Travis and help clean up. I’d happily offer to help him. I’ve quickly realized that he’s my rock in this time of uncertainty, and just being near him helps keep me calm and relaxed.

Mrs. Stevens reaches the back door and turns towards me. “That means you too, dear. Come outside with us.”

When I reach the backdoor, I can’t help but panic a little at the thought of being outside alone again with his mom and sisters. “I’d be more than happy to help the guys clean up. I didn’t help cook any of that delicious food. I’d be happy to do my part.”

“Oh, nonsense, dear. The boys can handle it, and you really don’t want to be around when they all start in on each other. In fact, they’re probably already arguing over who’s going to do what. They all hate clean up which is precisely why I chose that moment after dinner to announce they would all be doing it before I walked away. If you would have stayed in there, you would be doing it all by yourself,” she said with a knowing smile.

“It wouldn’t have bothered me, Mrs. Stevens. It was a delicious meal, really. I would have been happy to have helped,” I reply as I take a seat on a cozy outdoor seat for two.

“Elizabeth, please,” she says with a smile.

The fire is blazing, warm and comforting. The girls all jump into comfortable conversations. Avery recaps her recent honeymoon trip while Erin discusses a new Teen Read program she’s about to start at the town public library.

“Josselyn, did I hear you say that you’re looking for a job?” Mrs. Stevens asks.

“Um, why yes. Yes, I am.”

“I’m good friends with the family who owns the diner in town. I heard yesterday when I was getting my hair done that they are down a waitress. I’m sure they would love to have someone with your experience.”

“Oh, that would be great. Maybe I’ll stop by tomorrow and fill out an application.”

“I’ll give Jane a call tomorrow morning and let her know you’re coming in. She’s a sweetheart to work for, I’m sure.”

“Thank you for the lead. I appreciate it,” I reply as the back door opens. The guys all file out, arguing over who gets the last of those yummy rolls to take home.

“Travis, you’re not taking the damn rolls home. You got them the last time. If you argue with me anymore, I’m going to punch you straight in the face,” Nate hollers as he walks out the door.

Mrs. Stevens exhales loudly and shakes her head.

Travis walks over and flops down in the two-man chair with me and I can instantly feel heat radiating off his large body. An involuntary shudder tears through my body, but not from the cold. At the closeness to this man. I can smell his soap. I can feel his leg brush against mine.

Travis hands me a gray sweatshirt. “I thought you might be chilly so I grabbed this from my truck.”

As I slip the sweatshirt over my head, my senses are assaulted by the scent of Travis. I feel him everywhere like a warm embrace wrapping securely around me.

“Better?” he asks with a smile.

“Better. Thank you,” I say as I return his smile. His family seems to fade away as we stare at each other. His crystal blue eyes are boring straight into me; straight into my soul. I fight the urge to snuggle closer to him. I want him to wrap his arms around me and hold me tightly.

As if sensing my needs, Travis grabs a hold of me and pulls me back into his embrace. His arm wraps protectively around my shoulder, encompassing me in his warmth and protection. I feel almost lightheaded and dizzy from the contact. He’s so close, touching me from shoulder to ankle.