That One Night (That One Series Book 1) (20 page)

Laughing, I get up as well and follow him downstairs, only to find him in a manly hug with my brother.

When Dave spots me, he steps away from Ben and comes over to me, picking me up in a hug.

“Hey, Stinker. Your favorite brother is finally here.”

Ruffling his hair, I sigh. “Thankfully, my only brother. More than one of you and I’d have been committed a long time ago.”

“Okay, I need a shower, food, and sleep—in that order. I’m wiped.” He throws car keys to Ben, who catches them easily. “Here’s your truck, bro.”

“Thanks man.”

I’m still hanging around Dave’s neck, happy my brother is here. It’s the second time since I lived here, and the first time since Archer was born that he’s visiting. I guess it keeps him busy to decide what college to attend next.

For his stay here, we’ve cleared out the fifth and last bedroom in the house that up until now has served as a storage room for everything we didn’t need, as we hadn’t dared to venture into the attic. Well, to be honest it was mostly Ben clearing it out and making it halfway decent so Dave wouldn’t run screaming from the house. We found a cheap bed online that we ordered for him, along with a wardrobe, nightstand, and dresser. Ben insisted on paying, apparently making money with renting out his grandmother’s house in Tucson. It only then occurred to me that he has paid for everything he needed in order to work on the house. When I mentioned it, he waved me off, winking at me. He said he’s got to earn his keep somehow.

“I’ll fix Dave a man’s breakfast, while you show him his room.” Ben walks past me toward the kitchen, giving me a quick kiss in passing.

Dave looks back and forth between us, a stupid grin on his face.

“Have you two finally worked your shit out?”

“Yeah.” I roll my eyes, grabbing his duffle bag. “Follow me, jerkface.”

I show him to his room, stopping in the bathroom to show him his shelf and towels, before I disappear into my room to feed Archer and give Dave the chance to freshen up after the ride.

I breastfeed Archer less and less now, and weaning seems to work perfectly. But this morning I decide to give it another go. We settle in the arm chair, but about a minute after he latched on, I cry out in pain. “Motherfuck!” Removing him from my boob, I look at the crime scene. A little blood is visible on the surface and my nipple is throbbing. I cover up, lifting Archer who seems confused about the commotion. “That’s it. The milk bar is out of business.”

With that, we make our way downstairs.

“Can you make Archer a bottle, please?” I ask Ben, while sitting Archer into his high chair.

“I assumed you’re going to breastfeed him this morning.”

“No,
your
son just bit me.” I make sure to emphasize the word ‘your’.

Ben walks over, laughing. “Let me see.”

I try to bat his hands away, but he’s too quick for that, lowering my top and looking at my poor nipple. He looks up at me with a cheeky grin on his lips that makes his eyes crinkle.

“Want me to kiss it better?”

Just as I’m about to retort, we hear my brother gagging behind us.

“I think I’m going to barf. Is my sister’s tit out of sight?” He stands there, with his hand covering his eyes.

I pack up the goods again, swatting Ben’s hand away when he tries to grope me, and punching Dave for good measure.

We eat breakfast together, talking about Dave’s trip here. Apparently it was long, and he didn’t meet any women, which made it even longer. I leave the guys to chat for a bit while changing Archer into a different set of clothes and hopping in the shower. Just when I get back down, Viv is coming through the door, looking tired.

“Rough night?” I ask her, grabbing a cup to pour her some coffee.

“Oh, don’t even ask.” She nearly slurs the words from exhaustion.

“I can give you a rough night if you want.” Dave wiggles his eyebrows at her.

“Dave, you remember Viv, probably the only person to see more vaginas than you,” I reintroduce them.

“Well, I sure as hell was inside more of them than her,” he chimes up, but is quickly shot down by Viv’s retort. She might be exhausted, but that rarely stops her.

“Wouldn’t be so sure, hot stuff. I regularly have my hand up one of those.” She clicks her tongue and walks off with her coffee mug and a smirk on her face, leaving Dave speechless.

***

Later that day, the guys play football in the snow, because, you know, that’s the manly thing to do. That is until they are frozen to the bone and come into the house whining for something warm to drink. Leaving my little comfortable cave in the sunroom, where Archer and I had been parked for the past hour or so, I decide to make them some eggnog to ring in the season. By evening, we’re all sprawled out in the living room, Archer in the play pen while we talk about our teenage adventures, which leads to me learning a few things about my brother and Ben, as well as a few of my high school girlfriends that I’d have rather stayed oblivious to.

Suddenly Dave pipes up, interrupting our trip down memory lane. “Oh, I forgot the gifts from mom and dad in the car. And Drake gave me something for you, Stinker.”

Instantly, Ben’s eyes bore into me. “Drake, the biker?”

“Yep, he told me to give her a Christmas present. Hold on, I’ll get them.”

While Dave plods out to the car, Ben’s stare gets a bit uncomfortable.

“Drake, your ex?”

“I guess so,” I shrug innocently.

Dave comes in, throwing a box my way. I unpack it under Ben’s scrutiny and if I’m not fully mistaken I hear him growl. I’d be a liar if I said that I didn’t like his possessive attitude. And I’d be even more of a liar if I said I’m not going to toy with it.

In the box I first find a plush motorbike, all black and grey.

“Awww, he sent a toy for Archer. How sweet,” I coo, getting up to give the toy to Archer, but Ben intercepts me, taking it out of my hands.

“Why is Drake giving things to Archer?”

I detect a hint of jealousy in his words and it gives me a rush.

“Chill Ben. I ran into him at the mall over Thanksgiving when I was out with Archer.”

“Do you still talk to him, babe?”

“Oh, you jealous?” I smile up at him sweetly until I notice his clenched jaw and his narrowed eyes, shooting daggers my way. “No, I hadn’t seen him in forever before the run-in at the mall. No reason to get your panties in a twist.”

“Man, you forgot to beat your chest and grunt.” Dave never misses a chance to make a comment.

Snort-laughing, I put my hand on Ben’s arm. “He’s got a point. It happens rarely, but he’s got a point.”

“What else did the asshole send?” He steps past me to the box, looking into it, when he suddenly growls. “What the fuck?” He turns around, a bra hanging around his finger. Giving him a puzzled look, I rummage through the box, finding a note.

“I was cleaning out my house and found this. If I’m not mistaken, it’s yours. Thought you might want it back.”

I hand the note to Ben, rolling my eyes when he actually swears. “Fucker. I’m gonna hang him by the balls.”

“Dramatic much? It’s not my bra. You should leave the violence and bloodshed to the boyfriend of whoever’s bra this is.”

He plops down next to me on the couch, flinging the bra back in the box.

“I don’t like the guy.”

“I know, babe. I know.” I gently pat his thigh, trying hard to smother another bout of laughter that is about to erupt.

When he comes to my room that night, he kisses me with so much abandon; it feels like he’s trying to mark his territory. And judging by the hickey I’m sporting the next morning, that is exactly what he has done.

Two days later, Christmas morning finally rolls around. I wake up to Ben holding Archer, snuggled up in the armchair.

“Look who’s awake. Now you can open your presents,” he croons into Archer’s ear. I have the suspicion Archer wasn’t the one that woke Ben up with the need to unwrap gifts.

“You take Archer and I’ll get everyone else. Meet you downstairs.” He kisses me, before shoving Archer into my arms. “Merry Christmas, babe.” Within the blink of an eye he’s out the door to wake up Dave and Viv. And he isn’t quiet about it either.

We gather around the tree, sitting on the floor, Archer on my lap. He’s trying to chew on one of the packages and I highly doubt he’ll be interested in the content. One by one we open our gifts. Viv loves her game and is barely coherent while she examines the contents of the limited edition. Dave gets a voucher for the tattoo parlor that Viv frequents; he’s wanted to add to the few tattoos he already has, and that our parents know nothing about. An additional present is a box of 100 condoms, courtesy of me. I’ve gotten used to the black sheep status in the family, no reason for him to go and ruin it.

“Thanks, Stinker,” he throws the box to Ben, “but I think it’s better if you two have them. There’s no need for Archer to get a sibling just yet.”

Ben doesn’t even blink, before throwing it back. “Sorry bro, they’re not my size. I need XXL.”

I look at him, my eyebrows arched. “Cocky much?”

He slowly licks his lips, before looking down at his crotch and then back up at me. “Yep. You should know, babe.”

I quickly look down, biting my lip, trying to not think about his cock, but I fail miserably.

My brother manages to douse any kind of amorous feelings in an instant, when he turns to Viv.

“So what do you say, sweetheart? Want to put them to good use?” He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively at her. “They should last us for the holidays.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, hot stuff.” Viv’s smile is sweet as a peach as they stare each other down. Something passes between them, but I decide to ignore it. I don’t even want to think about it.

“Okay, enough of that, ‘cause...gross,” I say with mock disgust.

We all laugh before we turn to Archer, who has single-handedly destroyed the wrapping paper from Viv’s present with his drool.

“Now it’s your turn, little monkey.” Ben takes him on his lap and starts opening the present, a nice wooden rocking horse for toddlers, fully equipped with safety bars around the seat. We all put our money together to get this gift.

Archer looks at it for a second, before he tries to lick it. Ben lifts him up and sets him into the seat, giving it a little push. “Cool isn’t it?”

And Archer really seems to find it fun as every time the horse moves he erupts into a fit of giggles. Dave hands us my parents’ gifts for Archer, which are really nice and it seems they’ve paid attention to the things I suggested. But right now he doesn’t care much about the adorable building blocks he’s got. He’s too busy rocking and munching on some wrapping paper. Therefore, the toddler band shirts that Dave got him get ignored too.

Then it’s Ben’s turn, and he first opens the gift from the gang, being genuinely thrilled about all the different tools.

I hand him my present then. He opens it and a smile flashes across his face. His Adam’s apple bobs up and down when he swallows hard.

“You remember?” he asks and points at the wolf.

“How could I forget?”

He tries the belt on, putting the tools in their place. And seeing him in his jeans hanging low on his hips, his black shirt and the tool belt on, is every woman’s fantasy come true. I’m fairly sure a few porn movies start that way. I ogle him without any shame and it doesn’t go unnoticed. When he leans down to give me a thank you kiss, he whispers into my ear, “How wet are you for me right now?”

My breath hitches and I bite my lip to keep the whimper locked inside. I don’t need to answer; the look on his face tells me he knows exactly how turned on I am.

“I’ve got another present for you.” I hand him a small package, watching him unwrap it. I can tell the exact moment that he sees what’s inside. His eyes well up a bit and he clears his voice, trying to shake off the emotions. To see how much it means to him makes me emotional in return. I point to the wooden frame he is holding with the picture of him and Archer in the wing chair in my bedroom and the words “Bestest Daddy In The World” engraved into the top part of the frame. “You are.”

From the corner of my eyes I see Dave smiling in approval, while Viv looks like she’s melting.

Ben leans over to kiss me again before he ruffles Archer’s hair and gives him a kiss.

I’m thrilled about the present from the gang, a new set of essential oils that I plan to read up on as soon as I can. And Dave’s present is also awesome, a spiritual magazine subscription.

But it’s when I open Ben’s present that the breath whooshes out of me. I’m speechless and can’t help staring at it, gently running my trembling fingers over the beautiful wooden, heart-shaped pendant with a key hole in the middle. Its light wood is carved, revealing darker wood on the inside. The carving is elaborate in its detail, the design weaving its way all around the heart. I swallow hard, incapable of forming words. The fact that he would spend all his time in the shed, making this for me—nothing in the world could mean as much. The time, work, and perseverance he was willing to put into creating something so perfect for me makes the fact that he hasn’t told me he loves me meaningless.

“Open it.” He gently nudges my side.

I take the key he has made and put in the locket, opening it up to find a picture of Archer on one side, the other one still empty, but for a piece of paper. Without a doubt I know whose picture belongs in there, my heart so full of happiness I feel like it’ll explode in my chest. Tears well up in my eyes and my lower lip wobbles. I unfold the paper, finding Ben’s unruly writing. “I hope one day you’ll be ready to give me the key.” Clutching the pendant to my chest, I fling myself into Ben’s arms, sobbing.

“This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever gotten. I love it,” I sob onto his shoulder, hugging him close, sniffling away. “Thank you.”

“Glad you like it, babe.” He runs his hand through my hair, gently tugging at it so I look at him.

“I don’t like it. I love it!” I manage to say between sobs.

He looks down at my face, a gentle, loving look in his eyes. “Then stop crying.” He softly flicks my nose, making me giggle.

“Can you help me put it on, please?” I ask him, handing him the pendant on its brown leather band before turning my back to him. He puts it around my neck, leaving his hands on my shoulders when he’s finished, pulling me back so I lean into him.

“Okay, I need booze. This was a bit too much of a hallmark moment,” Dave jokes as he gets up to get some eggnog.

Until it’s time for Christmas dinner, we all hang out, chatting, while Dave and Viv try out her new game. Ben and I just watch them, my feet in his lap and my hand clasped around the pendant, thinking about the words on his note. He wants a key to my heart. Besides Archer, this is the single most amazing gift I’ve ever gotten.

Dave volunteers to pick up Vince and Mrs. Walsh for dinner, so while he’s gone Viv plays with Archer and his building blocks, and Ben and I set the table. When everyone arrives, I’m surprised to see that Vince isn’t alone.

“Kiddo, this is Marge. I think you remember her.” He pulls the woman towards him, making my jaw hit the floor.

“We’re seeing each other,” he announces and then strolls to the table with her. Sheepishly, I follow behind.

“Hi, Marge. Sorry for…ummm…the stuff I said.”

“No need to apologize. I knew then that he must be special.” She squeezes Vince’s hand, making him chuckle like a teenage boy.
Oh dear.

I feel really emotional during dinner, not only because of Ben’s gift, but because of the people around me. It’s family—not by blood, but by choice. And that is worth so much more. I only wish Dean and Alex were here as well to celebrate with us.

After dinner, Vince, Marge, and Mrs. Walsh leave, followed by Viv and Dave. They make up a story about needing a few drinks to wash down the dinner, but I think they just want to give Ben and me some time alone, which is appreciated. There is still one more thing I have for him. One gift that will hopefully show him what I feel.