The Jackpot Screwer: Enemies to Lovers (Love In Dayton Valley Book 2) Read online

  Soft lips kissed mine and then a breath whispered over my skin as he sighed.

  “What was it about?” he asked, taking the mug from between us and placing it on the nightstand. “I know it’s not about a gold band on your finger.” He lifted my hand and kissed the exact finger where that band would sit.

  “You were really pissed at me, weren’t you?”

  Carter’s head went back, and he exhaled through his nose. I thought he was going to let loose on my ass, but instead when his gaze met mine again, it was with a gorgeous smile. It was full of warmth and love and not for the first time I wondered how the hell I deserved him.

  “I was pissed,” he replied. “Pissed that it was coming from nowhere and a little pissed that you chose that moment to bring it all up. It was kind of a big deal for Hunt and Ellie, asking us to be in the bridal party.”

  I gasped because he was right, and I’d been too selfish to realize it. “Oh my God, I feel like such a bitch. I didn’t even think about it being their night.”

  “They paid for a fancy dinner, fancy wine and not just you, but both of us, ruined it for them. I shouldn’t have left, but I’d had a real shit day and it was one thing too many.”

  “Why, what happened?” I edged closer and wound an arm around his waist, loving the feel of warm skin under my fingertips.

  “Had to put a young dog to sleep and she was the couple’s baby, because they can’t have a kid.” He looked down at my stomach and smiled but the eyes that met mine were conflicted.

  “It’s not your fault that they can’t have kids, Carter. Or that you had to euthanize their dog.”

  “I know, but I couldn’t help but think.” He placed his hands over our baby. “We didn’t actually welcome this little one wholeheartedly, did we? We were given this amazing gift, Lollipop and we both acted like a kid that asked for a PlayStation for Christmas and got a coloring book.”

  “Only for a short time,” I offered. “We soon got on board.”

  “I guess. So, what was last night about? ‘Cause, like I said, I know it wasn’t about a wedding.”

  I took a deep breath and placed my hands over Carter’s which were still on my belly. “I feel like I’ve been a real bitch from the moment that little plastic thing told me I was pregnant. I pushed you away because I didn’t have faith in you, and that was wrong. Then just as we get back on track I act like a crazy spoiled bitch. Ruining Hunter and Ellie’s night too.”

  “I know what I said, but I do doubt you spoiled their night, Lollipop. They’re so wrapped up in each other, and you know Hunter will love the fact that you being pissed at me makes him look good. He’s so self-centered he probably didn’t even realize what was going on.”

  I rolled my eyes, knowing that he loved Hunter and that was the only reason he gave him so much shit.

  “You know that’s not true.” I sighed and ran my fingers over his forearm, fascinated to watch his fine hairs stand on end. “He was real quiet after you left. He didn’t even eat desert and you know how much he loves pie.”

  Carter groaned. “If that’s an analogy of him and my sister fucking then I no longer want my oatmeal.”

  “No,” I cried, with a smile. “It isn’t.”

  Resting my forehead on his shoulder, I wished that I could turn back the clock to just before we walked into the restaurant the night before.

  “Carter,” I said without lifting my head. “I’m so sorry. I’ve turned crazy since I’ve been pregnant.”

  “Just a little, Lollipop.” He gave a soft laugh and then lifted my head with a finger under my chin. “Tell me.”

  “I was jealous,” I finally admitted. “They’re just starting out; new house, wedding, and it feels like we skipped all that bit. Not that the baby isn’t exciting, because it is, so exciting. I can’t wait for us to be a family, I really can’t. I just… well, I worry that we’re missing out on so much.”

  “Jumping ahead to being parents without the excitement of a wedding?”

  I shrugged. “Kind of, it’s not the wedding, you know that’s not what I’m into. I’m scared that we’ve jumped the important parts and maybe you’re only with me for the baby. I’ll never know whether you wanted to be with me for me.”

  Carter chuckled softly and caressed my cheek. “Don’t ever think for one moment that I only want you because you’re providing me with a child. That is absolutely not the truth. You are the fucking love of my life and okay, so we’ve moved ahead a little quick, but we’re about to enter the most awesome phase of our lives.” His lips brushed against mine and I felt tears prick at my lashes. “When I ask you to marry me, it’ll be when I know beyond doubt, that you know beyond doubt that I love you more than anything else. When all the crazy hormones have gone, you’ll realize your absolute fucking worth, Lollipop. Okay?”

  With a single tear rolling down my cheek, I nodded. “Okay.”

  “Good. Now, you ready for your breakfast?”

  “Okay, but I think I’d better call Ellie and apologize first.”

  Carter waved me away. “Nah, don’t fuss it. Hunt’s ruined my year, we just spoiled one damn night for him.”

  “How’s he ruined your year?” I asked, brushing his hair from his eyes.

  “Marrying my sister. Totally broke the best friend code.”

  “Like you were ever protective of Ellie,” I scoffed.

  “God no, it just means now I’m going to have to spend more time with her than ever before. You have any idea how fucking shit that thought is?” He stood and gave me a brief kiss. “Okay, now come on, breakfast is ready.”

  With a cocky grin, he turned to leave and as I watched his ass, I knew I was the luckiest woman alive.

  We had only six more weeks to go before our lives changed forever. Then baby Maples would arrive. Whether that was a boy or a girl, who knew or cared. I was just about ready to pee myself with the excitement of it all.

  Things had been good between me and Bronte in the weeks since she’d freaked out about us not being engaged. Amazing in fact. We were finally free and clear of any insecurities and pretty much ready to become parents.

  The shopping trip for the stroller had been something of an experience. Surely a stroller is a stroller? Apparently not. Bronte took almost two fucking hours to decide on something that wasn’t too gender specific, too low, too high or too difficult to get into the trunk of her stupid tiny car. It even had to… well, stroll a certain way. I thought she’d decided on one but then the wheels didn’t quite turn as she wanted them to. Wheels are wheels, right?

  Apart from the stroller, which was at her mom and dad’s house, because apparently it was bad luck to have it at our apartment, everything else was ready. All we had to do was relax for the next month and a half. So, we were having our folks over for dinner, because there’s nothing more relaxing than organizing that.

  “Hey, Lollipop,” I called. “You want something to drink?”

  She popped her head around our bedroom door. “No thank you. But can you come fasten me up though. I can’t reach the zipper.”

  “Who puts zippers in pregnancy wear?” I replied as I moved down the hall toward her.

  “Probably a male designer who’s never been pregnant,” she complained sulkily.

  “So, I kind of have to ask why the hell you bought it?” I followed her into the bedroom and died inside. The room looked like a bunch of toddlers had been in there playing dress-up. There were clothes everywhere, on the bed, on the floor and on the dresser. “Couldn’t decide what to wear, hey?”

  “I’ll clean it all up, I promise. I just couldn’t find anything I didn’t look fat in.”

  “You don’t look fat,” I said, dropping a kiss to the back of her neck as I slowly pulled the zipper up. “You look beautiful.”

  Bronte sighed contentedly and took my hand, putting it onto her stomach. “I love you for saying it, but I’m seriously fat.”

  We stood like that for a few seconds, embracing in the silence, when it was broke
n by Bronte hissing and grabbing my hand tightly over the baby.

  “Ah shit.” Her fingers clenched mine to the point of pain.

  “You okay?” I turned her around to face me. “What’s wrong?”

  With her eyes closed, Bronte shook her head. “No, I’m fine. It just took me by surprise. I think it was those Braxton Hicks they told us about at the childbirth class.

  Blue eyes flicked open and stared at me. There was a hint of tears and I was more than a little worried that Bronte was brushing things off too easily.

  “Lollipop, you think we need to call Dr. Baskin?”

  She shook her head and loosened her hold on me. “Nope, it’s gone now.”

  Watching her warily, I ran a hand over her stomach but felt no movement of any kind.

  “Honestly, Carter, I’m fine. Now go and let me finish getting ready.” Giving me a quick kiss, she then moved away to apply some lipstick in the mirror.

  She seemed at ease, but I was determined to watch her carefully for the rest of the night.

  “I don’t know why you can’t tell us what names you’ve decided on,” Darcy said, sitting back in her seat at our small dining table. “I still like Burlington after Great-Grandpa.”

  Bronte rolled her eyes. “Mom, I’m not calling a child of mine Burlington.” She rubbed her back and I noted that it was the third time she had in the last half hour. “It’ll get called Burly or something else just as stupid.”

  “I always thought James was a good name,” Jim offered.

  “People might think I’m naming it after Jim Wickerson, or worse Jimmy Foster.”

  My jaw tightened at the thought of our douchebag fire chief, but I chose to stay silent for once.

  “But why, I’m your dad? Of course, you’d be naming it after me,” Jim argued.

  “Hey, hold your horses,” my dad cried. “Other grandpa here.”

  “Exactly,” Bronte sighed. “It’d have to be James-Henry or Henry-James and that’s too much of a mouthful, and whose name would go first, and we don’t even know if we’re having a boy yet.”

  “You okay?” I asked when I saw her try to hide a wince.

  “Hmm. Anyone want more coffee?”

  “You sit, honey, I’ll get it,” Mom said and gave Bronte’s arm a rub. “One more cup and then we’ll all go.”

  “It’s still early,” Dad protested.

  “Honey, Bronte needs her rest.” Mom got up from the table and squeezed past his chair. It was all a little snug, seeing as we only had room for a small table.

  “I’m fine,” Bronte protested.

  She didn’t look fine, I had to be honest. Her face was as pale as the china we’d eaten from and there wasn’t much color in her lips either. I leaned into her and placed an arm around her shoulder and as I did, she grimaced again.

  “Lollipop, what’s wrong. Tell me.”

  Eyes brimming with tears looked up at me and her bottom lip trembled. “There’s something wrong. I’m sure of it. I’ve been having pain all day, but for the last hour or so it has gotten worse.”

  Panic kicked me in the gut as I watched a tear roll down her cheek. We were so close, yet too damn far away. The baby couldn’t be coming. Not yet, it wasn’t time.

  “Mom,” I cried, my eyes still on Bronte. “Call Dr. Baskin and tell him we’re going to the hospital. Numbers on the refrigerator. Call Nancy too, she’ll take Mani.”

  “What?” Darcy cried and pushed up from her chair to get to Bronte. “Sweetheart, what’s happening?”

  “I have so much pain, Momma,” she sobbed. “My back hurts and my stomach is hard and keeps tensing and... ah shit. I know I can’t be, but I think they’re contractions.”

  Bronte’s hand reached out and grabbed my shirt, pulling me to her and screwing the cotton between her fingers.

  “Okay, sweetheart. Let’s get you out of the chair.” Darcy nodded to Jim who had moved to her side with my dad. “You two get her on her feet. Carter, honey, you go get her bag.”

  “Bag,” I repeated. “Bag, where’s the bag?”

  “My side of the bed. Next to the nightstand,” Bronte gritted out.

  Scrambling to my feet and almost sending my chair toppling over, I rushed toward the hallway to get to the bedroom. Mom was talking on the phone, pacing up and down while she did. I had never wanted a hug from her so much in all my life. Wasting no time though, I ran into the bedroom and went straight for the small suitcase that Bronte had packed a little over a week ago. I’d given her shit about it being far too early, but she’d insisted. Like she’d had some damn premonition or something.

  I grabbed the case and ran back down the hallway, through the kitchen, the living room and then out the door. I started banging on the buttons for the elevator when my door swung open and Dad came out.

  “Son, you forget something?”

  I looked down at the bag, felt my pocket for my keys and cursed. “No keys. Fuck.”

  “Well, yeah, you’ll need keys,” he dangled them in front of me, “but I think you need Bronte too.”

  “Baby, it hurts so much.” Bronte was being helped by Jim and Darcy, while Mom followed close behind with Mani on his leash.

  I took the two steps to her and pulled her into my arms. “Okay, Lollipop, it’s going to be okay. We’ll be at the hospital soon.”

  “Dr. Baskin will meet you there,” Mom said, her voice cracking. “We’ll all be right behind you, I texted Nancy and she’s okay to take Mani.”

  At that moment Nancy’s door opened and she and Minnesota stepped into the hallway.

  “Good luck, buddy.” Minnesota slapped my back, while Mom handed over Mani to Nancy.

  I looked between everyone gathered outside our apartment and bit my lip to stem the cry of fear that threatened to escape. I had to hold it together for Bronte. She didn’t need me losing it, no matter how much I wanted to crumple in a heap of uneasiness.

  “Elevator is here, son.” Dad got the other side of Bronte and helped me get her into the lift. Once we were in, he held the door open for Darcy to join us, so she could replace him at Bronte’s side.

  “We’ll see you down there.” Dad gave me a tight smile and I gave him a chin lift in return as he threw me my keys.

  “Okay, sweetheart,” Darcy said as the doors closed. “Let’s get you to hospital.”

  “But, Mom, it’s too early.” Bronte’s hand tightened around mine and I guessed there was another pain—a contraction—hitting her.

  “That baby will be healthy and strong. It’s going to be fine.” She glanced at me and though it was quick, I saw the panic in her eyes.

  “It’s all good, Lollipop,” I said. “Everything is all good.”

  “It’s too early right, doc?” I asked as Dr. Baskin led me from the room where he’d left Bronte with Annalise, the Doula we’d been working with at our childbirth classes. Darcy had called her on our way over and seeing her waiting outside for us had been a huge relief.

  “It’s a little early, yes but baby is definitely coming. There’s no getting away from that fact I’m afraid.”

  Dropping my gaze to the floor, I ran a hand over the back of my head, wondering how the fuck I was going to keep it together. Dr. Baskin placed a hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

  “Baby is a good size, Carter but we may have some respiratory issues. Unfortunately, we won’t know until it’s here.” He led me further away from the door and my stomach lurched, threatening to bring back the dinner Bronte had cooked earlier.

  “What is it?” I asked, feeling my legs shake.

  “I just want you to be aware that we’ll have to take the baby straight away. Annalise is explaining it all to Bronte now, but I think we’re going to need you to keep a tight hold of her and keep her calm.”

  “We can’t hold him first?”

  “A few minutes but then we’ll really need to get the tests done in case treatment is needed. Okay?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, okay.”

  “Good. Now you get
in there with Bronte and just act like it’s a normal birth, no issues, keeping it nice and calm. Everything is going well, so far all signs are good, so Annalise will beep me when it’s time.”

  With one last tight smile, he walked away leaving me in the hallway feeling out of my depth and with no idea what to do. Looking up and down the hallway, watching out for what I had no fucking clue, I was relieved to see Mom and Darcy approaching me.

  “Hey, honey.” Mom pulled me into the hug I was desperate for. “You all set?”

  She kissed my cheek and then let me go, only for Darcy to drag me into her arms.

  “You can both do this,” she said softly. “I know my baby girl and she’ll be just great.”

  “I know,” I breathed out shakily. “I’m just not so sure I will.”

  “Honey, you came into this world triumphantly, screaming your lungs out—okay, you were covered in poop, but you were loud and strong. So, of course, you can do this.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” I rolled my eyes and took a step away. “I need to get in there.”

  “Give her our love,” Darcy replied. “And we’ll all be waiting. Hunter and Ellie are here too.”

  Emotion prickled at my throat. Hunter was my best friend and even though I gave her shit, I loved my sister, to have them waiting helped ease my heart a little. As Mom turned to leave, I grabbed her arm.

  “Mom, what if—”

  She held her hand up and shook her head, biting on a quivering bottom lip. “Not gonna happen, baby. Now go be there for Bronte and bring our grandchild into this world.”

  When I pushed back into the delivery room, Annalise gave me a bright smile and moved away from Bronte’s side.

  “Just who she’s been asking for.” As I passed her, she gave my back a quick rub. “I’ll be just over here when you need me.”

  Placing herself in a chair just away from the bed, I stood in her place and took Bronte’s hand in mine.

  “You okay. Any pain?”

  She nodded with a wince and a little whimper. “It hurts so bad.”

  Fuck she blew me away. It hurt bad yet all she’d done was a tiny little cry. “You’re a warrior, Lollipop, you know that.”