Next August (19 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

August

Sam and I are at the base of the mountain, ready for the last climb. It’s the last climb because I’m moving. It’s time for me to get on with my life. He’s about to go off to college. Claire is seeing a nice man and talking about getting married. I’ve sold the company to Italian investors, and my Utah house is on the market. Stella was terrified at first, but I promised her, no matter where I am, she’ll have a job with me. I’m ready for the
next c
hapter, but I have to make this last climb with Sam. Sam, who now walks unassisted all the time, and doesn’t need the braces I had made for him. It’s amazing to me what a year can do to a man’s life.

We are at the base of the mountain by nine in the morning. Sam still moves a little slow. It’s just the two of us this time. Sam refuses any extra help. He’s walking great, but I have to admit it scares me a little. I make him climb in front of me and I refuse to take my eyes off him.

It takes us three and a half hours to reach the top. We’re both covered in sweat and our bodies are aching. I pour some water over my head. I’m sprawled out on a rock when a familiar voice catches my attention. I’ll never mistake that voice. I look around. Her back is to me, but I know it’s her. She is talking to Anna.

The two of them are plotting their climb down the rock wall. I stand up and Anna sees me. She whispers to Nash, and she turns her head in my direction. Her eyes widen, and I’m pretty sure her face pales. It’s hard to tell since she’s flushed from the effort of the climb. She’s beautiful, as always. I gulp more water. My mouth is dry, and I don’t want to be tongue-tied this time. I run my hands through my drenched hair. I walk toward them. Nash is holding a coiled rope in front of her. Anna is scowling at me, but Nash has a sweet smile on her face.

“Hi,”I say as I reach her.

“What do you want?” Anna snaps.

“Anna, please,” Nash says. Anna rolls her eyes and walks away.

“Hi.” She holds up one hand, shielding her eyes from the sun.

“You look good.”

“Are you here with Sam?”

“Yea, it’s his first climb without his braces. He did great.” I look her up and down.

“How are you?”

“I’m good. I was going to be in Nashville this week and I was going to look you up.”

“Oh, were you now?”

I run my hand down her arm and that same electrical feeling is still there.” I’ve missed you, Nash. I wanted to see if we could talk. I’ve made a few changes in my life that I think you would like.”

She doesn’t say anything.

“I know it’s taken me some time to work my shit out, but please give me a chance.”

She closes her eyes. “There’s something you need to know.” She unlatches her vest.

“You’re pregnant.” I can’t believe it.

“I don’t need anything from you. I just thought you should know before you said anything else.”

I step close and put my hand on her belly.” You may not need me Nash, but I need you. And this little one.” I kiss her forehead.

“It’s not that simple August. You and I didn’t work….”

I stop her by placing my finger on her lips.” We can work if you will just hear me out, but this is not the time nor the place to talk about it. Can I call you tonight?”

“I don’t know. This is so out of the blue.”

“It's fate, don’t you think? What are the chances of us being on this mountain at the same time and day?”

“I think you’re stalking her again,” says Anna.

“I promise this was a pure coincidence.”

“We really need to head down the mountain, Nash.” Anna’s hands are on her hips.

“Oh my god. Nash, is that really you?” Sam appears out of nowhere and embraces Nash.

“Look at you, doing this all on your own.” She hugs him back.

“Hi, Anna.” Sam smiles at her.

“I had no idea,” says Anna. “You’ve come a long way since the last time I saw you.”

“Thanks to August.”

“This is all you, Sam.” I put my hand on his shoulder. Anna’s face softens a little.

“Anna is right. We do need to start heading down.” Nash adjusts her vest and picks up the rope.

“I will call you if that’s okay.” I’m silently pleading with her. Anna rolls her eyes and tugs Nash away.

Sam leans into me.” Dude, is she pregnant?”

“Can we talk about this later?”

“August is going to be a daddy. Your life really is about to change.”

☀

We stay a little longer, but I keep looking over the edge to keep an eye on Nash. Her climbing skills are phenomenal as always, but I can’t help but be concerned.

As Sam and I descend climb, my mind is only on her. I’ve never really given much thought to having children, but I am genuinely excited.

A baby.

A baby with Nash.

Nash and I are going to have a baby.

I am going to have a son or a daughter, with Nash.

My head is spinning and my heart is full. I will do everything in my power to win her back.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Nashville

“Are you really considering giving him another chance?”

Anna has been on a rant from the moment we got into the car.

“What is so wrong with me hearing him out? You’re the one who thought I should tell him when we found out about this.”

“I know. But it’s been forever, and you haven’t heard from him. What an asshole.”

“I wasn’t innocent. I knew there was a big chance that we would never be able to work out our differences. But, I fell for him hard and I was willing to give it a chance.”

“You gave it a chance. You gave it a bunch of chances. You were on an emotional roller coaster with him. That can’t be good for the baby.”

“I know you’re right, but I still love him and I would love for this little girl to have a daddy.”

“She can have a daddy without you being involved with him.”

I cover my face with my hands. How did this all turn out this way? It’s like a bad dream, and the baby is the only happy part of the vision. Anna pulls over on the side of the Interstate.

“I want you to be happy,” she says.” If you really think that August is the one that will make you happy, then I will support you. But know this, if he hurts you again, I will go to jail.” She pats my hand and I laugh.

“You would kill him wouldn’t you?”

“Don’t test me.”

☀

I sleep the rest of the ride back to the hotel. This little one makes me exhausted.

My back hurts, and I just want to put my feet up. “I’m going to get us something to eat while you rest.” Anna heads out the door.

I wash my face and put on a fuzzy robe. The silence is relaxing. I’m grateful to Anna for caring so much, but I need a break. I don’t get much of one because my phone rings. It vibrates against the bathroom counter. August’s face appears. I love this picture of him. I snapped it the night we went bowling with Sam and Claire. He looks so carefree and young.

“Hello,” I say.

“Hey beautiful, I was afraid you weren’t going to answer.”

“Tell her congratulations.” Sam is yelling in the background.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t wait until I got back to call you.” He whispers.

“It’s okay. Tell Sam thank you.”

“When are you going to be back in Tennessee?”

“I’ll be back by tomorrow night.”

“Can I come see you?”

“Yes.” I take a deep breath. I’m really going to let him back in. “I don’t live with my parents anymore…. wait, do you already know where I live?”

“No, I gave up stalking you.”

“Wow, you really have changed. I’ll text you my address.”

“Goodnight, Nash.”

“Goodnight, August.”

☀

“If I keep eating like this I’m going to be huge.” I say as I stuff my face with Pizza.”

“You’re eating for two now. Besides, I think you burned enough calories today.” Anna slurps her Coke.

“He called me already.”

“He moves quickly. When are you going to see him?”

“Tomorrow night.”

She frowns.” So soon? You two jumped into this crazy relationship so quickly last time. You barely had the chance to get to know one another.”

“You’re right we did, but I was just so drawn to him. I still am. I get butterflies when I’m around him.”

“Are you sure that’s not waves of nausea?”

“You are awful. I don’t know why we are even friends.”

But we laugh anyway. I know exactly why we’re friends. Because no one makes me laugh when I’m sad like Anna. I hope I do the same for her.

☀

The ride home from Utah was long, and I’m anxious about seeing August. I drag my bags through my front door, but Anna doesn’t have hers.

“Aren’t you staying here tonight?” I ask.

“No way, no how. I’m going to crash at your parents’ house. You and August need some time alone.”

She’s right, but I can’t help but be a little nervous about being alone with him. I know how he makes my body react. My hormones are raging, and I need to focus on keeping my hands off of him. He should be here in about an hour. I take a quick shower and put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

Before I even have my hair blown out, I hear a knock on the door. I run a brush through it and trot to the door with my heart racing. I open it, and there is August with a bunch of flowers. He’s wearing jeans and his red Ford t-shirt.

“These are beautiful. Thank you.” I take the flowers from him and place them on the table as he saunters into my house. I watch him out of the corner of my eye. He is sexy as sin.

“Your hair is still wet. Did I come too early?” He twirls a small section of my hair.

“No, I was running behind. You’re right on time.” I motion for him to sit on the couch.

“I like your place. It fits you.” He says looking around.

“It’s perfect for the two of us,”I say as I rub my little baby bump.

“How far along are you?”

“Four and a half months.”

“Is there anything you need?”

“No.”
I need you.
That’s what I want to tell him.

He is quiet for a moment.

“I sold my company.”

I’m glad I’m sitting down. I would have fallen over from shock.” You did what?”

He gets up and starts pacing.” I thought a lot about the things you said to me. My business has never really made me happy. It was for survival. I don’t want to just survive anymore. I want to be happy. Everything is out in the open now. No more secrets. I have even sold my house in Utah.” He stops and faces me.

“You sold your house?” I can’t seem to do anything but parrot what he is saying.

“Yes. And tomorrow I want to take you by our new house.”

“Wait. I have a house. You can’t just come in here and take control again. We haven’t spoken in months, and here you come, declaring we have a new home. It doesn’t work that way. We have things we need to work out. And your control issue is one of them.”

He kneels down in front of me.” Let me start over.” He takes my hands in his.” I love you. I have never needed or wanted someone so bad in my life. I was an ass to ever let you go. I bought a house here in Nashville, and after I have persuaded you that I am a changed man, I would love for you and this little one to live with me and make our house a home. I was coming back for you before I knew anything about this baby. He or she is an added bonus. I will work on my control issues, but I’ve given everything else up for you. I even traded in my Jaguar for a pickup truck.”

“She.”

He smiles so big.” It’s a girl?”

“Yes. A girl.”

He takes me in his arms and his mouth consumes me. God, I have missed this. The taste of him overwhelms my senses, but I pull back from him.

“We can’t do this.” I am breathless.

“You mean we can’t be together? Or I can’t make love to you?” He is frowning.

“I want us to go slower this time. So there will be no sex until we get some things sorted out.”

“Now that I have kissed, you I don’t think I can do that.” His mouth is on my neck.

“I’m serious. I want us to date and get to know one another first.”

“I know every inch of you.” He hisses in my ear.

I pull his head back to look at him.” I’m serious, August. No sex.”

“For how long?” He is pouting and it is positively
adorable
.

“Until our wedding night.”

“So, we’re getting married tomorrow?”

“No. We’re not getting married until I know that I can trust you. Until we are both able to make some compromises.”

“I’m done compromising. I will give you and this little girl whatever you want.” He lays his head on my belly and kisses it.

He is not going to make this very easy. My damn fingers are already itching to touch him.

“Can I stay here tonight?”

“You can stay in the guestroom. You will not sneak in my room in the middle of the night.”

“What if I promise to be a complete gentleman and just hold you and our daughter?”

“Do you think you can do that?”

“Do you still have your Hello Kitty nightshirt?”

I look at him confused.” Yes.”

“Wear it and then I can do it.”

“I knew you hated that shirt.” I swat his chest.

☀

He lets me get changed before he crawls into bed. He draws me to him and places his hand protectively on my belly. He whispers in my ear.” I love you and this little girl. I will prove to you that I’m the man you need.” He kisses the top of my head and tucks me into him further. I choose to ignore the erection I can feel poking me in the back. This is definitely not going to be easy.

I miss waking up to his handsome face. He is sound asleep sprawled out in his shorts. No covers. I want to touch him so badly, but I don’t dare, so I admire his body. I feel like a peeping tom. His chest is so defined, and his arms are muscular from climbing. I like the stubble of beard on his face. There is not much that I don’t love about him. I hope our baby has his complexion and dark hair with my blue eyes. She will be beautiful. August may never let her leave the house.

I can’t help myself. I softly place my hand on his abdomen. He stirs and says my name but doesn’t wake. I trace my fingers down his goody trail and his cock grows firmer. My eyes get big watching him.

“Did we get married last night? I don’t remember it.” He’s teasing me, so I remove my hand.

“I’m not complaining,” he says. “You can wake me anytime with your hands on my body.” He rolls on his side to face me. His head is propped on his hand.

“Sorry,” I say. “I just wanted to make sure you were real.”

He looks at his cock and then back at me.” I’m real alright.” He has a mischievous smile.

I pull the sheet up and bite at it.” This is going to be really hard.”

“Umm…I think it is already hard.” He laughs and pushes toward me.

“Stop. You’re not helping.” I laugh at him. I hop out of bed.” I need a cold shower.”

“Oh, can I watch?” He is all smiles. I like him this way. This is the August I love. The silly, sexy, sweet August.

“Why don’t you get up and make us some coffee?”

☀

I come out of the shower and I can smell bacon cooking. I am terrified at the thought of August cooking, so I quickly dress. He might burn the house down.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

He looks at the pan and then looks back at me.” I thought I was cooking bacon?”

“Have you ever cooked bacon before?” I say as I walk up beside him.

“I read the instructions. I’ve watched Stella do it.” He says smugly.” Now go sit down and let me finish.” He shoos me out with the spatula.

I sit down at the small table in the kitchen and watch him. He is so animated. He looks at his phone when he is mixing the eggs. I walk up behind him and grab it.” You’re texting Stella?”

“I need all the help I can get to impress you. Now give me back my phone before whatever I am mixing becomes inedible.”

I stand on my tippy toes and kiss his nose.” You are so adorable.

He points at his shirt. There are cows and pigs cavorting all over it. It’s ridiculous, and I think of how for the first few months I knew him, I couldn’t even get him to wear a Ford t-shirt. Now here he is, covered in farm animals and splattered grease.

“Only for you baby,” he says. “Only for you.”

☀

He really did buy a pickup truck. Not your typical beat up pickup truck. It is dark gray and loaded with everything imaginable. We are both quiet as he drives. I think maybe he’s nervous about showing me the house. He drives through a covered bridge and up the side of a mountain and stops in front of a log cabin home. The land is beautiful. Part of it is mountainous, and part is green pasture. A river runs through the land.

“This is beautiful.” He takes my hand and leads me to the front porch. I’m in awe when he opens the door. It’s simply decorated with nice leather furniture. The ceilings are high and there is a mezzanine overlooking the living room. The kitchen opens up the back of the house. A farm style table takes up one entire corner of the room. He walks me up the polished wooden staircase to a beautiful open master bedroom. A balcony overlooks the property, and the bathroom is massive. The shower walls are built with blocks. A fireplace separates the bedroom from the bathroom.

He breaks the silence.” There are two more bedrooms downstairs. One of them would make a great nursery. Stella and her husband will stay in the other one until I have their cabin built out back.”