Layton let out a loud laugh. “Are you practicing baby talk, Whit?”
Whitley crinkled up her nose in a cute way and nodded her head. “Think about dinner. You have two pregnant women who want to eat,” she called over her shoulder as she walked into the house.
We had decided on barbeque, so we headed into town. Layton and I talked about the ranch as Whit and Court talked about some baby store in Austin they wanted to go to. We were walking into Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que when I heard a familiar voice calling my name from behind us. My heart started pounding as I turned around to see my father standing there.
“Well, if it isn’t my oldest son, Reed. Reed, this is Candace. Candace, this is my oldest son, Reed.”
Is he really introducing me to his girlfriend? I haven’t seen him in months.
“Reed, aren’t you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?”
I just stood there, frozen. I would never understand how he could make me feel like a ten-year-old in trouble.
Courtney walked up to him and said, “I’m Courtney Moore, Reed’s wife.”
“Blake Moore. It’s a pleasure, Courtney.” He smiled at Courtney and then looked back at me. “Married, huh?” He glanced back at Courtney and laughed. “My son treating you good?”
Courtney hooked her arm through mine and gave my arm a squeeze. “Like a princess, but then again, he is my Prince Charming.”
When she smiled at me, I instantly felt better.
Layton’s voice filled my head. You’re not like your father, Reed.
I glanced at the girl on his arm. She was a different girl than the last one I’d seen him with a few months ago.
“If you’ll excuse us, we were just about to order.”
“How’s your mother?” he asked as I went to turn around.
I glared back at him and said, “Why would you care? You walked out on her and your three kids years ago. You left us with nothing, and Mom struggled for years to turn things around while you were out having yourself a good time. You didn’t seem to care how she was back then, so why care now?”
His face dropped, and he pulled his head back, like he was surprised I had talked to him that way.
“You know, it’s probably a good thing you left us,” I said.
He didn’t say anything for a few seconds as he just stared at me. “Why’s that?” he asked.
“Because you showed me the type of man I never want to be. That’s about the only good thing that came from you.” I grabbed Courtney’s hand as I turned and walked away.
The farther I walked away, the better I felt. Something had happened just then, and I wasn’t really sure what it was, but it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
Layton slapped me on the back and said, “Fucking awesome. About time.” He turned and wrapped his arms around Whitley as we waited in line.
I peeked down at Courtney. She was looking up at me, smiling.
“What?” I asked as I pulled her closer to me.
She snuggled her head into my body and said, “It looks like we both buried the ghosts that haunted our dreams.”
I nodded my head and placed my hand on her stomach. “Nothing but happy memories from here on out, angel.” I reached down and gently kissed her on the lips.
She let out a sigh and said, “Total swoon-worthy moment with the whole hand on the pregnant stomach and all.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “Damn, I’m getting good at this.”
“Mmhmm. I wouldn’t say good…better maybe,” she said with a wink and a crooked smile.
I leaned down, put my lips up to her ear, and let out a hot breath. I saw her whole body shudder, and I instantly felt my dick jump. “Wait until I get you home later. I’m going to swoon the hell out of you in bed.”