Page 67 of Close to Falling

“I’m taking a bath,” I tell River.

“Okay,” he says as he removes his shoes and socks. I walk into the bathroom and flick the light on. Walking over to the tub, I turn the water on and sit on the edge. I run my hand under the faucet and adjust the knobs until I get the temperature right—warm enough for comfort, but not hot enough to hurt my growing tiny love. I walk over to the sink and lift my shirt up over my head. Turning sideways, I check out my stomach and rub my fingers over it. It’s not big yet, but it will be. I run my hands over my breasts and wonder how big they are going to get. Taking in a deep breath, I remove the rest of my clothes before I light some candles and turn the light off. Sinking into the water, I close my eyes and lean my head back. I hear the door open and look over.

“Hey,” River says.

“Hey,” I reply softly. I watch him walk over to me, grabbing his shirt from behind his neck and lifting it over his head.

“Getting in, too?” I ask.

“If you don’t care.” He looks down, showing me dimples and bright green eyes. The candles flicker off his handsome face, and I wonder what I did to deserve him. His hands rest on the front of his belt like he is really checking to see if I care before he gets undressed.

“Of course, I don’t,” I say as I pull my legs up, and he removes his clothes and sinks down into the bath with me. He grabs my legs and lays them on top of his chest, softly rubbing until he leans down and kisses each of my toes. I lie back and close my eyes again, just enjoying time with him and loving how good this water feels. My hands have a mind of their own as they rub over my stomach.

“Thought of any names yet?” River asks.

“I thought about Enzo for a boy and Piper for a girl. What about you?”

“I like whatever you like,” he says, rubbing my heel. I curl my toes because this feels too good. He kisses my ankle and runs his hands down my calf. My eyes close again, and I roll my head to the side as he massages my feet and legs. “I love you, B.”

I make some noise, but I’m too tired to speak.

“Let’s get you out of the tub,” he says before he stands to get out. He wraps a towel around his waist before he leans down and scoops me up, putting me down on my feet as he grabs a towel and puts it around me. I take it and dry off before walking to our room. He tosses me a nightgown, and I trade out my towel, climbing onto the bed and getting under the covers. I smile when River wraps his arm around me and gently pulls me close to him, feeling his lips on my neck before sleep takes over.

***

“Watch,” Fisher says as he gets going fast and jumps up onto a curve. We all turn to look, and I clap when he lands perfectly. I hear Rozz and River talking quietly about something, but I don’t know what they are saying.

“So, are you up for a new show in a few months?” Sarah asks, grabbing my attention.

“Yeah, I’ve got a few pieces made up already.”

“Okay, well, I’m going to get it lined up.”

“I wouldn’t know what to do without you.” I smile and wrap my arm around her shoulders.

“I know,” she says. Landon runs over to Fisher and asks if he can show him something. Fisher loves Landon. He thinks he is the coolest because he is a surfer dude and into the same things as him. Those two can talk for hours. I look up at the beautiful green leaves growing on the trees and the pretty flowers on the side of the road. The smell of fried food makes my stomach growl as we make our way into the spring festival. River hears it and smiles down at me.

“Hungry?”

“Starving,” I say, rubbing my belly.

“Me, too,” Sarah says. “Come on, kids!” she yells to Landon and Fisher.

***

Fisher has ridden everything that’s not for the little kids, and I’ve eaten my weight in junk. We watch the fireworks before we leave, and River puts his arm around me when we head back to his truck. “Did you get enough food?” he asks me.

“You know I did,” I say. “I’m stuffed.”

“Good,” he replies, pulling me to him and kissing the side of my hair. We tell everyone goodbye, and he opens the truck door for me. The ride back is comfortable silence, and I stare out the window until I think about Rozz and River talking earlier.

“What were you and Rozz chatting about?” I ask, looking over at him. He darts his eyes my way before he looks back at the road.

“You don’t miss anything, do you?”

“Not when it comes to you,” I reply. He gives me a half-smile, but it goes away as his eyebrows bunch and his lips turn into a straight line.

“It’s nothing you need to worry yourself over, baby.”

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