Page 97 of Rough
Laughing, I pull away and run down the stairs, calling Lucy to follow me as I step out into the warm sun. With a smile, I head out to the barn knowing he’s absolutely right.
Epilogue
Betsy
~ 2 years later ~
“I’d like to do a dinner or somethin’ with all of you tomorrow night. It’ll be two years since Donny passed, and I think it’d be nice to celebrate him.”
Tucking my phone between my shoulder, I stick my tongue out and stand on my toes to try to reach for a coffee mug on the middle shelf. I can’t quite reach, and I grunt out in frustration, then turn my body sideways and lean that way, the tips of my fingers just grazing the handle.
Renee pauses, then asks, “What ARE you doin’, Betsy?”
“Tryin’ to get my coffee cup down, but my fuc—freakin’ stomach is in the way. Why the hell do they build shelves at this particular height? Everyone is against me.”
Am I having a pity party? You bet your ass I am, but all the guys are outside, and I can finally sneak half a cup in and finish off what’s left in the pot. Renee hums something, but I’m too focused. The guys have been watching me like a hawk for the last four months since we found out I was pregnant. I’m almostnineteen weeks, and finally, the little booger is making themself known with tickling bubbles low in my abdomen.
“Yes!” I hiss out, finally winning my hard fought for mug, and happily start doctoring up the beautifully scented coffee. “But yeah, I think doing a dinner is a fantastic idea. Want me to make anything?”
Smiling happily to myself, I move over to my table and wrap my hands around the cup, inhaling deeply, then frown. “Momma?”
“Hmm, yes dear?”
“The hell are you doing? Do you want me to make somethin’ or not?”
She sounds distracted and my stomach sinks, but not in a ‘I’m pregnant’ sort of way. I stare at the dark liquid with pain, agony squashing me and shoving me into a pit of despair.
“How ‘bout your sheet cake?”
Gritting my teeth, I snap at my mother-in-law. “You’re tellin’ them, aren’t you?” I hear her inhale, knowing for a fact she is, and slam my hand on the top of my table. “Youare!You’re a damn traitor, Renee! I specifically asked my doctor if coffee was allowed, and they said I can have one cup a day.A day, Renee. Yourson,” I hiss out the word like it’s an insult, “and his merry band of men are the ones who’ve got it stuck in their heads that it’s not safe.”
“They love you.”
That’s it, no other excuse, so I angrily push my mug away and cross my arms to wait for the fathers of our child to come storming inside. Renee is giggling through the phone, but I ignore her until I hear boots stomping up my front porch.
“I’m gonna have to let you go. The calvary has arrived. You just bought yourself avanillasheet cake. No chocolate for you.” My words are sniffed, and she only tells me she loves me before hanging up the phone.
Remy is the first to enter the kitchen, his cell fisted in his hand as he lets his gaze fly all over the kitchen before zeroing in on the untouched mug in front of me. Opening his mouth to scold me, I raise a hand to stop him. “I didn’t drink it thanks to you three brutes and your tattling momma.”
Clyde and Wilder slip into the room and Clyde moves right next to me, but I lean away from his arm and look at the floor. I’m so angry and tired and cranky. All I wanted was a few sips of coffee and they’ve ruined it for me forever.
Sniffling, I wipe away the damn tear that skates down my cheek, then glare at the wetness on my hand. “I hate bein’ pregnant. I hatethis!” I yell, holding up a hand to show them my tear.
Wilder sighs and picks me up from the table to snuggle me. Looking over at Remy, who looks heartbroken in the wake of his anger at my coffee stealing. “Man, they said she can have a little. It’ll be fine and I hate seein’ her this upset,” Wilder pleads.
Grinding his teeth, Remy nods once and heads to the cabinet and easily grabs a travel mug from the top shelf. “I also hate that I can’t reach shit in this house.” I state bluntly. Clyde bursts out laughing when I add another ridiculous complaint to my long,longlist over the past few months.
Remy’s soft smile as he eyes me is enough to settle me down. I know I’m being cantankerous and need to relax. He pours my pathetic amount of coffee into the mug, then adds a bit more to give me a full cup. I could fucking kiss this man right now. Screwing on the lid, he hands it to me and I cradle it against my chest while in Wilder’s arms.
“Sorry, darlin’. I just worry.”
Nodding, I look down. “I know. I really do, but I’ll be fine if I keep it in moderation.”
He bends over me and presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth. “You’re right. Wanna go lay in the sun for a bit? The boys are here and can handle shit for the afternoon.”
“Yes!” I shout, then wriggle from Wilder’s arms. “Let’s ride out to the pond.” I can feel their eyes on me, but no one says a word. Grinning to myself, I slip my feet into my boots and wave at them to follow. They hate that I can’t ride just as much as I do. “Or we can take the truck.”
“Truck,” Clyde grunts out, and I spin around to grin at them.
