Page 4 of The Jackpot Screwer
“Yeah well,” he cried, stamping a foot. “I may just do that.”
“Like to see you try.”
“Don’t tempt me, Lollipop.”
We weren’t getting anywhere, and I knew that knowing us as I did, we could end up arguing until Hunter’s rooster crowed. I wanted Carter gone before my mom and youngest brother, Austen, got home from visiting with my Aunt Willoughby – yeah, my mom got her love of the classics from Grandma who named both her daughters after Jane Austen heroes no less. And, for all I’d said about telling them, I actually wasn’t ready to tell my parents, or anyone, about the baby.
“Listen,” I said, knowing that I needed to placate Carter. “I think we both need to sleep on this. I’m not going to tell my folks yet, I’m only nine weeks, so anything could happen.”
Carter’s eyes went immediately to my belly where my hands rested. “You’re being careful though?”
“Yes, Carter, I’m being careful.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, suddenly feeling more tired than I ever remembered. “Let’s just keep it between us for now.”
“And what about us?” he asked, straightening to his full height and pulling back his shoulders.
I had to be honest with him, but I also had to think about what was to come. “You know how I feel about you, but it’s not just me now. I need to think of the baby.”
“And you don’t think I will,” he answered.
I shrugged. “We’ve been having fun and while it was going somewhere, me moving in may not be an option any longer. It won’t just be me, so I need you to be sure that you’re okay with that.”
Carter silently contemplated what I’d said and then nodded. “Okay. You win, for now, but I’ll prove to you this is something I’m committed to.”
I breathed out a relieved sigh. “Good. That’s all I want.”
He watched me carefully and rubbed at his chin.
“What?”
“So, while we’re taking things slow, do we still get to have sex? Because I’ve got to tell you Lollipop your tits look a-maz-ing.”
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I worried that Carter Maples wasn’t up to the job of being my baby daddy.
Nursing my bottle of beer, I sighed heavily until Hunter punctuated it with a groan.
“What?” I snapped my head up and gave him the dead eye.
“I’m just sick of hearing you sighing instead of doing something about the fact she dumped you.”
“There’s nothing that can be done, dickhead.”
“Well, if you damn well told me why she dumped you, I might be able to help.”
The door to an almost empty Stars & Stripes swung open and Jacob Crowne walked in, looking even more downcast than I did. Hunter and I were sitting at the bar in easy view and Jacob gave us a chin lift as he walked over.
“Hey, guys.”
Hunter and I replied in kind as Penny approached Jacob.
“Usual?”
Jacob nodded solemnly.
“Don’t often see you in here on a Saturday afternoon, you’re usually busy at the shop,” she said as she pulled him a draft of beer.
“Yeah, well.” His nostrils flared with a heavy breath. “Let’s just say it’s women problems.”
Penny arched her brows and took the money that Jacob was offering to her.
