Redeem Me: Oakville Series:Book Four (28 page)

Chelsie

I
roll over as I wake from the most beautiful dream, expecting to run my hands all over Angel. When my hand lands on the vacant pillow, my heart drops. I miss him so much. This big bed is so cold and lonely. I want to be home in my bed, wrapped in Angel’s arms. I miss his strong arms around me. I won’t be able to make it without him. I need him too much. My cell phone beeps and I reach over to see who sent a text. It’s from Angel.

Please let me see you, sweet pea. We need to talk. I miss you. I love you.

I have to admit, he really seems to be trying, but I can’t tell if it’s genuine. Does he really love me and need me, or does he just like the idea of it? He’s never had a relationship before. Not that I can say anything, I haven’t either, I’m scared that he feels obligated more than real love. I’m the first girl he’s had a relationship with, he’s the first guy I’ve slept with, and boom! We’re having twins. This isn’t how things are supposed to go. We both need time away to make sure we want the same things. I won’t have him waking up one day realizing he threw away the life he really wanted for a family he resents.

It’s too early to think this much. I’m so fucking confused and have no idea what to do. The only thing I am sure of right now is I’m starving. I’m always starving lately. This whole eating for three thing is becoming a full-time job. These two are constantly making me want food. Today they seem to want chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, toast, and bacon. Picking up the phone next to the bed, I dial down to room service. After ordering a crazy amount of food, I jump in the shower.

While standing under the spray, I decide to make it much cooler. Every time I touch the loofah to my skin, I imagine Angel’s hands gliding all over my body. I miss his touch almost as much as I miss him. My appetite isn’t the only thing these hormones have thrown into overdrive. I’m hungry and horny twenty-four seven. It’s crazy. A knock sounds on the door. I grab the robe hanging outside of the shower, cover myself, and scurry for the door.

I open the door, expecting to see a waiter with my breakfast, but Amber stands there instead. I must look disappointed.

“Wow. Nice to see you, too, pregs,” Amber says with a laugh as she walks past me. “You thought I was food, didn’t you?” she asks, taking a seat on the sofa.

“You know me a little too well.”

“Yes, I do, but I’ve also been pregnant.” She pats the seat next to her. I close the door and take a seat. She has her serious, motherly face on. I don’t know if I’m up to serious, motherly Amber today.

“You have that
I want to talk to you
look on your face and I don’t think I’m up for any serious talks today,” I warn. I’m not trying to be a bitch, but I’m not ready. There’s still too much I have to figure out.

“Holly already slapped your boyfriend for smarting off to her today, don’t make me slap you, too.”

“She slapped Angel?” I ask. Oh, how I wish I could’ve been there to see that. That must’ve been absolutely hilarious. “Why?”

“He didn’t want to listen to what his friends had to say,” she says with a smirk. “We all love you and want to help you both. Our hearts aren’t involved, so it’s easier for us to have perspective on what’s going on.” She has me there. Maybe some advice wouldn’t hurt. After all, my mind can’t make heads or tails of the situation. I have no idea what to do.

There’s a knock at the door and the babies begin to kick. They want food. Amber jumps up and gets the door. A minute later, she’s wheeling the loaded cart over to me. She lifts the covers off the plates one by one and shakes her head.

“Did you order one of everything, pregs?”

“No. I thought about it, though.”

I offer her some breakfast and we eat in silence. I know this won’t last long. She’s letting me enjoy my food, then she’ll pounce. I hope she doesn’t try to talk me into going back home. I’m not sure that’s the right thing to do right now. There are so many questions I need answered, so many things I’m unsure of.

My cell phone rings again, and I growl, giving it a death stare. I’m ready to hurl it from the balcony. He’s called five times since Amber has been here. Each time, I let it go to voicemail, and each time, she looks at me disapprovingly.

“Why are you completely shutting him out? The man is trying to reach out and you keep cutting him off at the knees.”

“I’m not ready to talk yet. If I hear his voice, I’ll want to go running back to him no matter what he has to say. Right now, his desperation to get me back could just be a knee-jerk reaction. He needs time to make sure he really wants to be with us.” Amber looks at me with big, sad eyes. Everyone has been giving me this “poor Chelsie” look, and I hate it. I’m not some poor, helpless little girl. I know what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. “Ya’ll need to let me—let
us
figure this out ourselves.”

“Okay, pregs. I get what you’re saying. I want to say one thing, then I won’t open my mouth about it again,” Amber says, her voice stern. I know better than to argue with her when she gets like this, so I nod, telling her to go ahead. I’ll let her say whatever it is she needs to say and hopefully that will be it. “Angel loves you and you love him. Don’t let this go on for too long. He really looks like a pile of dog shit. I’ve never seen him this broken. And no offense, but you don’t look much better. Just know, I’m here if you need me.” She reaches over and pulls me into a hug. She’s right, I can’t dodge him forever. Eventually, I’ll have to face him and hear what he has to say. I’m just terrified that he’s going to come to realize a white picket fence and family is not his idea of happily ever after—even if it is mine.

Chelsie

I’
ve done nothing but mope around this hotel room crying and eating for the last two weeks. I’m too afraid to leave, scared I might run into Angel again. Amber and Holly are the only ones who know where I am. They swore to keep it a secret, no matter how much he begs. I’m doing the right thing. I know I am, but if I see him right now, I’ll cave.

It’s taking all the will I have to stay away from him. I wake up at night hoping to find him sleeping next to me. When I notice he isn’t, I cry myself back to sleep. Every time I feel these babies move, my heart breaks. What if he does decide to walk away from all of us? I couldn’t expect him to settle down and be a family man, it’s so far from who and what he wants to be. I had to give him the chance to make his own choice. I don’t want him to wake up ten years from now hating me because he didn’t live the life he wanted.

My cell phone rings, but I don’t bother answering it when I hear Angel’s ringtone. He calls three times a day and usually sends a dozen or so texts. I know I should answer it, but I just can’t talk to him right now. If I hear his voice, I’ll want to be in his arms. This whole situation is killing me. I’m still so confused.

A knock on the door startles me, causing me to jump. Did he find me? I run to the door, my pulse quickening from the possibility. I get a glimpse of myself in the mirror and cringe. I look terrible. Oh well, too late to do anything about it now. I pull the door open with a little too much enthusiasm.

“Excited to see us, pregs?” Amber laughs. I can feel the frown on my face from the disappointment.

“By the look on her face, we’re the last people she wants to see,” Holly says. Tears well up in my eyes and I try to stop them, but it’s no use. I’m no match for these damn hormones. The floodgates open and they aren’t closing anytime soon. Amber and Holly each grab an arm and lead me to the bed.

“Aw, sweetie. What’s with the waterworks?” Amber asks, trying to wipe some of my tears away. I open my mouth to speak, but the only thing that comes out is a loud sob followed by incoherent babble. Patiently, they wait and let me get it all out. Holly hands me some tissues.

“I love you and all, but the tears and snot you’ve got going on just isn’t appealing,” Holly quips. Amber tries not to laugh, but it’s no use. Soon, all three of us are laughing uncontrollably. I have to admit, it feels good. I haven’t done a whole lot of laughing lately.

“Now, that’s how I like to see you, pregs,” Amber says. “Shouldn’t you be dressed already?” I look down at my ratty t-shirt and yoga pants and back to them, confused.

“Dressed for what?” I question, puzzled. I have no plans to leave the comfort of my pity cave. I’m not ready to go out and adult today. Actually, I don’t plan to anytime in the near future. I’m perfectly content to stay here and mope around eating room service.

“You have a serious case of pregnancy brain. Doctor’s appointment in forty minutes, remember?” Holly states. I slap my forehead with my palm. How could I forget my appointment today? I’m losing my damn mind.

“I forgot all about it. Give me fifteen minutes and I’ll be ready,” I tell them and rush into the bathroom for a shower. I think I’ve broken the record for getting ready. No makeup, t-shirt, yoga pants, and my hair thrown up in a ponytail isn’t my look of choice, but it will have to do.

We pull into the plaza where the doctor’s office is and I suddenly feel sad and guilty. Guilty because Angel’s not here to experience this with me, and sad because I don’t think he wants to be. He knew about this appointment. It was set up before I left. Damn it! Why can’t I make up my mind on what I want? I think I wanted him to fight for me, but I haven’t made that easy for him.

“Earth to pregs. We’re here,” Amber teases. Snapping out of my depressing thoughts, I grab my purse and get out of the car. The three of us walk down the sidewalk toward the doctor’s office when the bitch brigade comes out of a shop. They aren’t paying any attention and run right into me. I stumble back and Holly and Amber both reach out to stabilize me. I do not need this shit today—especially when I look like hell and weigh more than a fucking whale. Riley looks me up and down, an evil smirk on her face.

“No wonder Angel came to me in The Keys. Look at you. Pathetic,” Riley snarls. “So, did you like our little video? It was pretty fucking hot, right?” My blood is boiling and my hands are shaking. There is a rage building inside of me so big, it frightens me.

“I bet that’s not even Angel’s baby. You probably figured it was the only way you could hold on to a man as hot as him,” Jamie spits out. These bitches have gone too far and I can’t do a damn thing about it. Oh, how I wish I could. I can see myself tackling those douche canoes and pummeling the shit out of them.

I look over at Amber and Holly, who seem to be having a silent conversation only they can understand. They both nod at each other and devilish smirks appear on their faces. Then, like a flash, they both throw punches at the same time. Amber clocks Jamie right in the eye with a loud thud. Holly connects with Riley’s nose and the crunch of it breaking gives me chills. I’m glad these two are on my side. Both girls go flying to the ground, Jamie holding her eye and whining like the little bitch she is. Riley’s too busy trying to stop the blood gushing from her nose to do anything else.

“Did you really think that old ass video was going to work? To Angel, you were just a free piece of ass he had at his disposal. He loves Chelsie and
HIS
babies. You are nothing to him,” Amber announces in a tone so harsh, it has me cowering.

“If either of you even look at Chelsie sideways or try to interfere with her and Angel’s relationship, this little ass kicking you just received will feel like a fucking walk in the park. I held back just now, next time I won’t,” Holly asserts. Both girls get to their feet slowly. Once standing, they just stare at us open-mouthed. I can’t stand the sight of them anymore.

“What the fuck are you waiting for, a written invitation? Get out of my sight now before I hit you myself,” I warn. The girls scramble, bumping into each other in their rush to leave. Holly grabs Jamie’s shoulders, turns her in the right direction, and gives her a swift kick in the ass to help her on her way. Holly gives Riley a
you’re next
look and she scurries off, following Jamie.