The Beginning of Us (162 page)

It appeared Max had spent a fortune on the ring. He, of course, had the money to do so since he was a Partner at a large firm that practiced all areas of law here in the city.

Ryan’s ring was a single solitaire round shaped diamond that sat on a platinum band with five smaller round diamonds set along the center of the band on each side of the large diamond. 

“Wow, how many carats is it?”

“Two.”

“It’s really beautiful, Ryan. Have you guys set a date yet?”

“Yep, May eleventh, our anniversary.”

“Well, that seems fitting, but that is only eight months away. We better get planning!” 

“And I want you to be my maid of honor, of course.”  I had assumed I would be, but it still made me feel good that she asked.

“I’d be honored,” I said, squealing and giving her another hug. “I can’t wait to throw you your bridal shower and bachelorette!”

I turned to go put my stuff in my bedroom when I heard Ryan ask me a question.

“Um wait a sec, Spence.  Is that a Louis?”

“Oh yeah, it’s my birthday present from Brandon.”

“How did he kn… oh right, Vegas. Wow, he remembered.”

“Yep, I’m lucky you have a big mouth,” I said while winking at her and continuing to walk to my room. “Oh, and he also gave me a key to his condo.”

“Oh my God. That's huge, Spence.”

“I know,” I said while smiling and continuing to my room.

*~*~*

I decided that I wanted to go to MoMo’s for dinner, which was quickly becoming one of our regular places. Since Brandon lived just down the street, he could give us a ride home.

We sat at the bar and we were enjoying our meal when I saw the devil herself walk in.

“Great, Christy is here,” I said to Ryan.

“If she wasn’t pregnant, I would kick her ass for you.”

“If she wasn’t pregnant, you’d have to wait your turn. Oh, let me show you the new text messages.”

I showed Ryan the texts from Christy and Brandon’s reply. We had a good laugh and when we were done, I glanced in Christy’s direction and she was giving us the most evil look. 

“You want to get out of here and head over to Brandon’s?” Ryan asked.

“You know what? I want him to pick us up here.”

“Oh, I love your thinking,” she said as she clapped in agreement.

I grabbed my phone and texted Brandon: 

Me: 
Hey baby, mind picking me and Ryan up from MoMo’s when you’re ready? 

Brandon: 
Of course, I'll be there soon.

The next ten minutes were kind of painful. Christy and her friends eyed Ryan and me as if we were the devil. However, she was the psycho bitch who poked holes in condoms. I wondered if her friends knew the truth.

I saw Christy’s eyes get big and I felt Brandon approach. He leaned down and whispered in my ear, “Trying to make someone jealous, I see.” Before I could reply, Brandon leaned me back and kissed me hard with his left hand behind my head. My butt started to slip off the stool but he wrapped his right hand around my waist and supported me.

“Damn Brandon, knowing you get this worked up over making Christy jealous, I might just need to step up my game,” Ryan said as we broke our kiss.

“You know, Ryan, a few weeks ago Spencer did mention a threesome.”

“Ha! Not sure Max would agree to that you guys,” I said.

After paying our tab, we were about to walk out of the restaurant when we were stopped by Christy.

“Hey Brandon, I need five hundred dollars for my first doctor’s appointment.”

“Christy, we already talked about this. You’re supposed to send me an email listing your expenses and then I’ll mail you a check.”

Like hell you will.
 “Actually Christy, why don’t you send him a copy of the doctor’s bill and then he will send you half?” I knew it wasn’t my place to say anything, but I didn’t like her just demanding things from Brandon.

“I’ve already paid for it, 
Spencer
,” she said with attitude, rolling her eyes at me.

“Trust me, the doctor’s office can and will print you another copy. Have a nice night.” I grabbed Brandon’s hand and we left the restaurant with Christy staring at us.

We started walking towards Brandon’s car that was parked on a side street. “Sorry if I overstepped, but I’m not going to let her just come up to you and demand things anytime she sees you. She’s obviously doing it to cause problems between you and me.”

“No, of course. This whole pregnancy thing has fucked with my head. She knew I would do whatever she wanted.”

“Well, you asked for my help and I will not let her take advantage of you.”

“And that’s why I love you,” Brandon said with another kiss.

“Get a room, you two!” Ryan called as she hurried to Brandon’s car.

*~*~*

“We need to hurry. Spencer will be here soon,” I thought I heard Brandon’s voice say as I unlocked and entered his condo.

“Don’t worry baby, I’ll be fast. You know how you always make me come fast.” 
Was that Christy?

I walked quickly down the hall and entered Brandon’s living room. What I saw froze me in my tracks. Brandon’s bare ass was in the air with Christy’s legs wrapped around his waist. His hips rocked into her as her back squeaked against his leather couch and her finger nails dug into his shoulders.

“Oops, looks like we weren’t fast enough,” Christy said as she saw me over the back of the couch.

“Oh hey, Baby, come join us!” Brandon said. I just stood there, frozen in shock.  I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“Yeah Spencer, we can be one big happy family. Come here, sweetie. I’ve been dying to see what is so special about you,” Christy said as she reached her arm out to me. Brandon continued to rock his hips into her as tears started to roll down my cheeks.

“Aw Baby, don’t cry. This will be good for us. We can all live here and raise the baby together.”

The room began to spin as I dropped to my knees. I started to hyperventilate as the tears continued down my cheeks and pooled on the floor.  

“Aw, Baby, she is sad,” Christy said. 
No, you don’t get to call him Baby!

“What the fuck is going on?” I shouted. I couldn’t see them as my eyes started to blur with tears.

Brandon pulled out of Christy and came over to kneel down beside me in all his glory. “Baby, Christy and I talked and I told her that I didn’t want to leave you. So we came up with the plan for us all to be together. You will get me Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Christy will have me Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. I will continue to have my poker nights on Wednesdays.”

“What?  You’ve got to be joking,” I whispered raggedly, another sob catching in my throat.

“It’s a win-win Spencer,” Christy said. I looked up and wiped the tears from my eyes and I saw her huge grin.

“Like hell it is!” I said while shaking my head vigorously. “This is not what I want, not at all!”

“Baby, don’t be like this,” Brandon said as he brushed his fingers against my wet cheek. I cringed away, not even wanting him to touch me after his hands had been all over her.

All I could say, over and over again, was no. This could not be happening. “Baby, why are you crying?” Brandon said as he continued to brush his fingers across my cheek.

“No, this isn’t real, it’s not. It can’t be,” I kept saying to myself.  

“Shh Baby, don’t cry, I’m here,” Brandon said.

I shook my head, still crying, “No, no, no, no, no…”

“Spencer, wake up, you’re having a bad dream.” 

“No, no, no, no, no…”

“Spencer, Baby, please wake up.”

I gasped as I opened my eyes to see Brandon leaning over me. 

“Shh, it’s okay. You were having a bad dream, I’m here.” I blinked at Brandon, trying to focus on his face. I had been crying as I slept through that awful dream and tears filled my eyes once more. 

It was dark except for the light that was on my right side. I looked over and noticed it was from the lamp on my nightstand. “Baby, you’re safe. I’m here.” Brandon brushed his hand on my cheek.

“It…it was just a dream?”

“Yes, whatever it was, it was just a dream. You’re safe.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and tugged him down to me. “It was just a dream,” I repeated as realization started to become clear.

“Do you want to tell me about it?” 

I told Brandon about my dream as he brushed his hand over my hair. “Baby, it was just a dream. I can guarantee you that will never happen. If I could, I would never see or talk to her again. I told you once before and I will tell you over and over. You are everything I could ever possibly want or need.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Over the next few weeks, I helped Ryan as she started to plan her wedding. Since she had been dreaming and fantasizing about her big day for most of her life, she had almost all of the details already planned out. We went dress and flower shopping, I helped send out save the date notices and we started planning her Bridal Shower and Bachelorette party. 

Brandon and I continued our routine of working out four nights a week at his gym with one night always ending in the couple’s massage room. My body loved the special treatment it was now getting once a week. Since Ryan and Max were back together and almost inseparable, we now spent most nights at Brandon’s place. To my relief, I hadn’t seen Christy again or received anymore texts from her. Maybe she was finally content enough to leave me alone now that she was getting Brandon’s financial support.  

Tonight was Ryan and Max's engagement party at her parent's house. Ryan's parents lived in Atherton, which was about a forty minute drive from our house. Her parents had a six bedroom, five and a half bathroom mansion that sat on almost two acres of land. It was a New England style home with a gated entrance, three-car garage, tennis courts, a pool, and adjoining pool house.

When you entered the two-story home, you were greeted by a grand staircase. Each time I walked in the house, I envisioned Ryan as a teenager walking down in her prom dress to meet her date. Their kitchen was similar to ours, except triple the size.  

The kitchen led to a tiled stucco patio that had a giant fountain in the center. Beyond the patio was a large pool surrounded by a large, long yard that stretched the length of the house. Just beyond the pool was the pool house that also served as their workout room.

 Ryan and Max invited their closest friends and family to the party. However, there were still about one hundred people in attendance. Ryan invited Jason and Becca, I was really looking forward to hanging out with them. I hadn't seen them since the night of Becca’s show when Christy dropped the baby news bomb on us. 

“You’re not drinking tonight?” I asked Becca, who was out by the pool.

“No...”
      

“Oh, why not? The champagne is really good. Ryan’s parents always get the good stuff.”

“Jason and I are trying to have a baby.”

“Oh my God, that is fantastic!”

“Sorry, I thought Brandon would tell you. Maybe Jason told him not to until we knew for sure.”

“That's okay, I’m so happy for you!” I said while I gave her a hug. “It's actually perfect because your and Brandon's kids can grow up together.”

“I know, I’m excited. I know Brandon isn't and I certainly can’t blame you for not being, but I think you’ve been very supportive and he will be a good father.”

“I think so, too. Just wish it wasn't Christy's baby. Has he told you about the texts?”

“Yeah, Jason told me. I would be livid if it were me,” she said as she sipped her water.

“Well I'm not thrilled about them, but I truly lov...like Brandon and want what's best for him and want him in my life.”

“I know you love him. I can see it when you two are together. I’ve never seen him this happy in the...twelve years I’ve known him.”

Brandon and Jason walked up as Becca and I were talking. I excused us so I could introduce Brandon to Ryan and Max's parents and a few friends from college who I rarely saw nowadays. I showed Brandon around the house and Ryan's childhood room. There were posters of boy bands, famous actors and movie stars on her walls. Volleyball and tennis trophies rested on top of shelves that held an array of books. Her parents kept her room exactly how she left it before college.

I turned to leave and reached out to grab Brandon's hand as he tugged me back. I stumbled into him, but he cushioned the embrace.  I looked up into his eyes to question what he was doing when I saw the look in his eyes.

“Oh no, we are not doing it in here,” I said as I tried to push him away. Not saying a word, he reached over and locked the door. “Babe, we 
cannot
 have sex in Ryan's childhood bedroom!” 

“You're wearing the dress again,” he said as his eyes lowered to my legs.