Page 189 of Debts and Desires
“We should’ve taken that lamb,” he finally said. I busted out laughing, my mind clearing the heavy thoughts away.
“Carter?”
“Yes, baby?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, Buttercup.”
81. MONSTERS AMONG US
April 17
Today I was nineteen weeks along and completely exhausted. We were eight days away from the twenty-week appointment where we would find out what we were having, and I was beside myself. Which tired me out more. It was just one of those days where I wanted to nap and relax.
Of course, Carter said it was because I overdid it the night before when I justhadto finish painting the nursery despite having months to finish it. I told him to kiss my ass, but instead it got spanked. Before leaving for work, he promised he’d be home earlier and would bring some food from the diner. I pouted, wanting food from Pete’s instead.
“You need to stop eating so many damn wings or you’re going to birth a chicken,” he said.
“You’re saying if our baby comes out as a chicken, you wouldn’t love them?” I asked, making him roll his eyes. “That’s horrible, Carter, and you should apologize by bringing me more wings.” I grinned wide as he attacked me with tickles and kisses.
“I’d love our baby, no matter what.”
“Even if it came out as a chicken?”
“Even if it came out as a chicken. Though I can’t promise theanimals wouldn’t try to eat ‘em.” We laughed. He gave me another kiss and headed out, but not before he turned and told me, “There’s already a box of wings in the fridge.” I didn’t know how he got it or even when. I was just happy to have them. I thanked him by getting up and giving him another kiss.
And a blowjob that made him late.
The rest of the morning I spent in bed. I was woken up by a phone call with both Mia and Cassie, finalizing some of the baby shower stuff. It wasn’t for a while, but they were excited. So was I.
BJ, Mac, and I were cuddled up on the couch when I heard a vehicle pulling in the drive. Assuming it was probably another one of the many packages for the nursery being delivered, I didn’t budge. But Mac did. He sat up, the hairs on his back raised. BJ took that moment to skitter into the kitchen.
I knew by the low growl now rumbling beside me who was at the door, but I peeked out the window to be sure.
Ever so quietly, I got up. But my gut had me going a different direction first. As quick and as quietly as I could, I grabbed a knife from the kitchen, hiding it under the pillow on the recliner. Then, pulling out my phone, I turned the camera on and positioned it on the stairs just as another knock sounded. I made sure the angle was right, showing most of the room in the viewfinder and hit record.
I was terrified and hoped it didn’t go that far. But after what he had done at our last meeting…
“I know you’re in there!” Another knock and Mac was losing his shit. I didn’t want him to scare off Jed from talking, or be too loud that we couldn’t hear anything, so I let him out on the back porch. With a deep breath, I steeled myself as I headed for the door, opening it. I stared up at the broken, disheveled man.
“Jed,” I greeted.
“Miss Emogen. What alovelysurprise. I hear congratulations are in order,” he sneered, looking at my belly. “Is Levi home?”
“You know he isn’t, or you wouldn’t be here. What do you want?”
“A lot of things.”
“Come back later, then. I’m sure he’dloveto speak to you.” I went to shut the door, but Jed moved fast, his foot blocking the bottom portion while his hands stopped the door.
“I never said I wanted any of those things fromhim.”
Try as I might, I couldn’t hold him back. He pushed his way in, kicking the door shut behind him. Mac started scratching at the back door, little warning barks coming from him. I regretted putting him out there. I regretted opening the door. I didn’t know what to do. It’s not like I could grab my phone, it was recording. And I didn’t want to just grab the knife because it would look like I was planning on attacking him. Which, I guess I was, technically.
Jed walked further in, looking around. He swayed slightly, seemingly drunk again, as his eyes landed on my stomach once more.
“You ruined everythin’,” he spat.
