Page 28 of Cold as (N)ice

“I’ve got you…”

“I feel like such a traitor,” he whispered thickly. “I wasn’t even looking for another team, and it was like everything spiraled out of control.”

“I understand that feeling…”

“I know – and I’ll be… I’ll do everything I can to be part of your lives.”

“I just don’t want to be alone again. It’s so hard those first few months, those first years,” she reiterated softly, her nose stinging with emotion. This was the first time that she’d really touched on what it was like with Stephen. “There were so many appointments, so many tests, checkups, follow-ups, and… and there was the feedings every two hours. I was a zombie – and alone.”

“You won’t be this time,” he promised, hugging her tightly. “I’ve never changed a diaper but…”

Irene laughed tearfully – and heard him join in a moment later. Gosh, it felt so good to simply cry it out and laugh with someone who got just how screwed up this world was. Yeah, theywere on a rollercoaster, but at least they were being flung around in the same car, on the same vomit-comet. Barrett leaned back, withdrawing from the hug, and smiled softly at her before wiping his eyes.

“This didn’t happen,” he whispered in a hushed voice. “I’ve got an image to uphold.”

“I’m not good for your ego, remember?” she smiled and saw him do the same. They stood there, looking at each other for several moments, and finally, both sighed making them laugh once more at the strange similarities.

“Tell ya’ what, wife…” he mocked playfully. “Since Stephen is out and sawing logs over on the couch, why don’t you two stay this evening and just sleep here.”

“I’m not sleeping with you,” she said growing serious.

“I wasn’t leading toward that, but since you brought it up – it’s not like you can get any pregnant-er…”

“Wow. Pregnant-er?”

“Pregnanted? Dual-pregnicated?”

“Oh my gosh, would you just hush while you’re ahead?”

“I’m ahead?”

“No, you’re slow and falling behind – but I thought I’d be nice.”

“Heaven help me if this is the nice version of you.”

“Heads up – heaven’s not listening,” she smarted off bitterly, and that caused him to pause as he looked at her in surprise. “What?”

“Maybe you should take a look around before you say things like that,” he chided openly. “You have a brilliant kid who is healthy, you’ve been given a chance to have another one, you have a roof over your head, food in your stomach, and a person at your side willing to take anything and everything ‘on’ in exchange for your friendship only. Some would say that Heavenislistening and delivering.”

Barrett hesitated and looked at her once more, crossing his arms over his chest and smirking. “And I could use a dose of my own medicine because I just realized while everything in my life is falling apart… I need to open my own eyes. I have a job that pays ridiculously, a roof over my head, the best cup of coffee in the world from a woman who’s promised to stick with me through thick and thin, a stepson who’s amazing, and a child on the way. For a guy who had nothing – it turns out that I’ve got a lot, and I need to change my outlook to ‘forward’ instead of ‘backward’. I’m going to bed, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“It’s our wedding night.”

“You’re not getting any of this,” he retorted, waving his hands up and down his torso in a mocking gesture. “This is all for me – and you can’t touch a thing until we establish some rules later on down the road. Good night.”

And walked off.

“Wait, Barrett…” she hesitated and saw him glance over his shoulder. “Where am I supposed to sleep?”

There was no guest room… yet. She felt weird ordering furniture for a person without having any input into what he liked or what kind of styles he preferred. She certainly didn’t want to order something rustic if he liked sleek, modern lines. The couch had seen better days, and Stephen was indeed snoring over there. Tomorrow was Saturday, and he didn’t have school, so she could easily stay the night – if there was a place to sleep.

“Figure it out,” he replied and walked off, turning into the bedroom… and left the door open.

“I’m not sleeping with you!” she hollered again – grateful it wouldn’t disturb her son.

“I didn’t ask you to,” he hollered back.

Standing there, she huffed angrily and marched down the hallway to remove a blanket from the linen closet for Stephen. As she stood there, pulling out a buttery soft quilt that she fellin love with, she glanced to her side toward the open doorway. Barrett’s back was toward her as he slowly pulled his T-shirt over his head and tossed it into the hamper before walking toward the bathroom just out of sight.

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