Changing my life plans for a man is a big deal, but it’s astronomical size when you’ve only been dating him for a short time. I’ve known Porter for a lot of years but I don’t truly know him.
And yet I know I love him.
“I’m asking a lot. I’m well aware of how much, but I know that letting you get away would be the biggest mistake of my life.” He pulls me against him and kisses my bare shoulder. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I don’t want to lose you.”
“Staying is a big deal. You’re asking me to change everything for you.”
“I’m asking you to change everything for us. I’m asking you to want me more than you want whatever you think is here for you.” He kisses my shoulder again. “Austin can wait.”
“Your mom said something along those same lines.”
“You talked to her about leaving Birmingham?”
“Yeah. She told me I should stay and see what happens with us.”
“Don’t you like where this is going?”
“I do. Very much.”
“Then stay. And we can do lots more of this.” He flips me over so I’m lying on my back and kisses the side of my neck. “And this.” He moves lower and kisses the space between my breast. “And lots more of this.” He moves down and kisses my stomach.
“Mmm… I do love me some of this.”
“I’m going to be doing everything within my power to persuade you to stay. If I have to eat your pussy morning, noon, and night to convince you, I will.”
“Porter…” He can be so crude.
“I’m not kidding, Frankie. I’ll do it.”
“I know you’re not kidding.” This man goes down on me every chance he gets. I’m not complaining.
“I have six weeks to convince you to stay. I think I should start my persuasion tactics right now.”
And he does.
“I can’t believe I’m dropping you off. That was the shortest four-day trip I’ve ever taken.”
“I know. And it was really four days for the convention and then two additional days for travel. You could almost count it as six days.”
Porter walks me to the front door, carrying my suitcase. “I’m going to hate being in bed without you tonight.”
“I know. I’m going to miss waking up with you wrapped around me.”
Our house doesn’t have a foyer so entering the front door puts us in the living room where my parents are on the sofa watching television.
“Hey… there’s our girl,” my dad says.
Porter puts my suitcase on the floor. “Returned safely, as promised.”
“I never worried she wouldn’t be. How was the convention?”
“It was great. I learned a lot. Got to see the latest trends.”
“Did you explore Austin while you were there?”
“Not a lot. We went out the first night but the daily itinerary ran until five every day. That didn’t leave a lot of time for sightseeing but at least we got to have dinner at some great restaurants and talk shop.”
“Thank you again for giving Frankie this opportunity.”
“Happy to do it.” Porter steps toward the door. “I will see all of you at Oliver’s party tomorrow night.”
“See you.”
He leaves and it feels unnatural to watch him go without a hug or kiss.
Of course my parents want to hear everything about my travels the minute he’s gone. What I thought about my first flight. The hotel. The conference. I do my best to stretch the truth as far as it’ll go, hoping I won’t need to tell any lies. I know Porter and I are lying by omission, but I don’t want to add any additional untruths to the mix if I can help it.
I’m showered and preparing for bed when my mom taps on my door. “Can I come in for a minute?”
“Sure.”
She shuts the door behind her. She never does that unless she plans on having a conversation that Dad or the boys don’t need to hear.
“What’s going on?”
She sits on the end of my bed, a sign that she has no intention of leaving anytime soon. “I want to talk to you about Porter.”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“What’s going on between you and him?”
It’s one thing to lie by omission, but it’s another to look her in the face and fabricate a story. I can’t do it. “We’re seeing each other.”
“Why haven’t you told us?”
“I was afraid of what you’d say about my entering into a relationship with him when I know I’m leaving in September. And Porter was worried about our relationship causing problems with Daddy. It just felt unnecessary to say anything when we knew it would be over soon.”
“Did you share a room with him on this trip?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“Are you being careful?”
“Yes.”
My mom inhales deeply and releases the breath. “You’re twenty-one, and maybe I should have known, but I didn’t think you were sexually active.”
“You weren’t wrong. I was a virgin until Porter.”
“Oh.”
“I love him.”
“Has he told you that he loves you?”
“Yes. And he’s asked me to stay here with him instead of moving to Austin.”
“Would you do that? Stay for him?”
“It seems irrational to drop everything for a guy when our relationship is still so new. But I love him. And I believe him when he says that he loves me. Which makes it irrational to walk away from something real.”
“You don’t have to make this decision right now. You have a little time.” She isn’t telling me this is a horrible idea. She isn’t telling me I should end things with him.
“He says he’s going to convince me to stay.”
“Your dad and I wouldn’t mind that. You know we don’t want you to move away.”
“Will you please not tell Dad just yet?” I hate asking that of her.
“Your dad and I don’t keep secrets from each other.”
“I know. And I’m not asking you to lie to him or keep a secret. I’m just asking you to put off telling him until I make a decision about where things are going.”
“I can keep it to myself for the time being. But you shouldn’t tarry. The longer you put it off, the more likely he is to find out on his own. And I can promise you that it would go much smoother if this news came from you and Porter.”
“I know. Do you think that Dad will be okay with Porter being so much older than me?”
“How much older?”
“He’s thirty.”
“That’s definitely older. But you’ve always been an old soul. I can’t imagine you dating a boy your age. I think your dad will be okay with it as long as he treats you well.”
“He’s so good to me. And his family is too. They are lovely.”
“You’ve already met his family?”
She clearly wasn’t expecting that.
“Yes. His mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and I’ve been speaking with her over the phone about her treatment. She asked him to bring me home last weekend. His parents, his brother and his wife, his sister and her husband and their children were there. They treated me like I was part of their family. It felt right.”
“When it’s right, it’s right. I don’t think you felt that way for no reason. It’s very possible that he’s the one. And personally, I can’t wait to see what happens.”
“Me either.”
I’m miserable. Not that this surprise birthday party isn’t awesome. The coordinator did a fantastic job. It’s that I’m in misery watching Porter across the room talking to this woman and that woman.
“Hey, Frankie. Having a good time?” It’s Jason, one of Iron City’s delivery truck drivers. Cute guy about my age but not my type.
“Oh yeah. Fun party.”
“It’s cool they invited everyone from the brewery.”
“That was nice.”
“Your dad looks like he’s having a g
ood time.”
I look at my mom and dad on the dance floor and they are cutting a rug. “My parents love to dance.”
“I can see that. Would you care to dance with me?”
All I’m doing is standing against the wall while Porter makes the rounds, talking to every female in the room but me. So why the hell not?
The band is playing their rendition of “Come On Eileen.” Not bad. “Sure. I like this song.”
Jason cups his hand over mine, puts his hand around my waist, and does this weird rocking sideways motion. This guy must not go clubbing, or he’d know this is not a couple song, and you sure don’t dance like one to a song like this.
My mom and dad are outdancing me. For real. And my dad is laughing his ass off about it.
“Shut up, old man.” I have nothing to work with here.
I’m grateful when the song ends, but the next one is slow. The Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand by You.” And the dude doesn’t let go. “Up for another dance?”
“Sure.” One more won’t hurt.
He pulls me closer, and my natural reaction is to lean away. “You dating anyone?”
“Yeah.” Your boss. And he’s standing behind you looking very pissed off.
“May I cut in?”
“Sure.” Jason stops and passes me off to the boss man.
Porter puts his arms around my waist and pulls me much closer than he should. He cups his hand around mine and brings them to rest between our chests. A very romantic position for us to be in. “A boss and his intern shouldn’t be dancing like this.”
“Don’t care.”
“People are going to take notice.”
“Let them take notice.”
I look at my parents, and they’re in their own little world, paying zero attention to Porter and me.
“You look beautiful. And it’s fucking killing me that I have to keep my hands off you.”
“You didn’t look like it was bothering you too much when you were talking to all of those women.”
“All of those women?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I wasn’t on the dance floor holding any of them.”
“He asked me to dance, and it was a fast song. In the club, we bounce to the remix of that song. I never dreamed that he would grab me like that.”
Porter lowers his face until our lips are nearly touching. “You’re mine. I’m not going to let another man touch you like that. And if I have to blow our cover to put a stop to it, I will.”
“Cage the rage. Nothing happened.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I lose my mind when I see another man put his hands on you. I hate it.”
“No one is putting his hands on me. Only you.”
“I’m so damn ready to get you alone. I’m counting down the minutes until I can get you out of this dress.”
“Do you want me to meet you at your place when this is over?”
“Yeah. Do you think you can spend the night?”
“I’d love to, but I should probably go home after being gone all week.”
“I missed having you in bed with me last night.”
“I know. I missed being next to you too.”
“I want you with me every night.”
“I wish I could be.”
“There are ways to make it happen.”
“Like what? Getting married?” I chuckle. “Because that’s the only way my dad is going to go along with his little girl being bedded by you every night.”
Porter doesn’t laugh. Or smile. “Well… I’ve already made the decision that you’re mine, and no other man will have you.”
That sounds an awful lot like he’s hinting at marriage. “What are you saying?”
“What do you want me to be saying?”
I’m too scared to say the words.
“You take all the time you need to come up with what you’d like me to be saying. And when you decide what that is, you let me know.”
The song ends and Porter leaves me standing on the dance floor. Stupefied. With maybe some sort of hint of a marriage proposal hanging in the air.
I’m not certain. But we’re damn sure going to discuss this later tonight.
19
Porter Beckman
I find Oliver upstairs with some of our Iron City clients. “Hey, man. I’m going to take off.”
“So early?”
“It was a long week at that conference. I need to crash and catch up on my rest.”
“I’m glad you came.”
“Your girlfriend did a great job putting it together.” I knew he was going to start fucking that redheaded baker living next door. And damn if it’s not working out well for him.
“She did. I hope she’s not too tired later on to celebrate my birthday with a little one-on-one.”
It’s nice to see Oliver happy with someone after the way Eden hurt him.
“I bet you don’t have to worry about that.” We do the half-hug-guy-handshake thing. “Happy birthday, man.”
I’ve had a few drinks so I’m taking advantage of the car service. My phone vibrates in my pocket and I take it out, fully expecting to see some kind of sexy text from my girl.
Not what I get.
Mom: Call me ASAP.
I immediately know something bad has happened.
She answers on the first ring. “What’s wrong?”
“Bethany has had some complications with the pregnancy.”
Oh God, no. Please do not tell me that something has happened to her or the baby.
“She went to the hospital because she was bleeding, and they had to take her to the OR for an emergency C-section. She’s still back there, and they haven’t told us anything yet.”
My heart immediately aches for my brother. I can’t imagine being in that situation, especially after losing so many pregnancies and struggling to conceive this baby, and not knowing what is happening to your wife and child.
“I need to go home to get my truck, and I’ll be on my way.”
“I’ll tell Cade you’re coming.”
“Call me as soon as you know what’s happening.”
“I will. And I know you’re going to be anxious to get here, but please drive carefully.”
“You know I will, Mom.”
The second I end the call with her, realization strikes: I’ve had drinks. I can’t drive to Mobile. Okay, but that’s not going to keep me from being with my family at a time like this. I lean forward so the driver can hear me. “Do you know if Ken is working the event for Iron City tonight?”
“I believe he is.”
Good. I’m certain I can depend on him if Frankie isn’t able to drive me. I pass a cash tip to the driver before getting out.
“Thank you, sir. Much appreciation.”
Porter: Where are you?
Frankie: Almost at your condo.
I’m throwing some clothes in a bag when Frankie comes into the bedroom. “What’s going on?”
“Something happened to the baby and the doctor is doing an emergency C-section on Bethany. I have to go, but I had several beers at the party, and I can’t drive. Can you take me?”
“Of course I’ll take you.”
Frankie is that girl—the one who doesn’t let you down.
“Do we have time to run by my house and let me pick up some clothes, or do we need to get on the road right now?”
“We can go by and get your things. And I guess try to explain why I’d ask you to drive me home.”
“Well, I was going to tell you later tonight about the discussion I had with my mom about you and me.”
“She knows.”
“Yeah.”
“I knew she did. I could see it on her face. What did she say?”
“It’s fine. I asked her to keep it to herself until I figure out if I’m staying or going.”
I don’t miss a beat stuffing clothes into my bag. “You’re mine and you’re staying. I’m not letting you go.” My possessive, bossy, overbearing words could pi
ss her off, but I don’t care. I want her to know where we stand.
“Can you drive my truck?”
“I have no idea. I guess we’ll find out.”
She scoots the seat forward as far as it’ll go, and she looks like a small child sitting behind the wheel. I might think it’s cute if I weren’t so worried.
We go by Frankie’s house, and she’s in and out in under fifteen minutes. I have no idea what she told her parents, and I don’t ask. I’m too consumed with worry for Cade, Bethany, and their child.
“I don’t know how Cade will react if something happens to Bethany or the baby.” It isn’t fair for anyone to have so much loss.
“You have to believe that they’re going to be okay.”
“I want to believe that.” But there’ve been so many times when it wasn’t okay.
Frankie places her arm on the console of the lowered seat and offers her hand. I don’t hesitate to take it. “I’m relieved that you’re going with me.” I want her by my side if something bad happens.
“I’m glad you want me to be there with you.”
I look back at the time I called Mom, and it’s been almost an hour since we spoke. Surely, she knows something by now. “I don’t know why she hasn’t called. She said she would call as soon as she heard.”
“They may be slow in notifying the family of what’s going on. She may not know anything yet.” Frankie squeezes my hand. “I’m sure it’s okay and you’re an uncle again. Maybe to a sweet niece this time.”
“I hope so. I’d love to see Cade wrapped around a little girl’s finger.”
“We girls certainly learn how to do that with our daddies at an early age.”
“I know. Not only was Reagan the baby, she was also the only girl. Dad did anything she wanted him to do.”
“Same here. My daddy will do anything for me.”
I jolt when my phone rings. “Hey. What’s going on?”
My mother’s voice is clear and calm. “Bethany and the baby are both okay. She had a six-pound, two-ounce baby girl and her name is Anna Cade.”
My heart swells with happiness for my brother. And I may even have a few tears pooling in my eyes.
I turn to Frankie. “I have a niece named Anna Cade, and she’s okay.”