Torn: Kory & Aimee (Oak Springs Book 5) Page 8

  I slap my hands over my face again and giggle to myself.

  He doesn't say anything and I feel my heart sink. It's negative. I didn't think I'd feel this disappointed. I honestly feel like crying. Even though I built myself up for a negative result, I didn't realize it would hurt this much.

  I remove my hands from my face and breath back my emotions. I lift my head and smile as best I can at Kory, he's looking at me still with the test in his hands.

  I smile slightly and he wraps his arms around me tightly. I rest my head on his chest and sigh. “It's not the end of the world, right? We can keep trying.” I say while rubbing his back as if he needs comforting more than I do.

  “No,” He kisses my head.

  I want to ask him why we can't keep trying, but the disappointment is drowning me. I simply pull away from him and nod in agreement. What's the point of arguing with him? He's changed his mind about the baby, I won't be able to change it back. That's just the way Kory is. I don't think I could take this disappointment again anyway.

  “Look at me,” He tilts my head up with his fingers under my chin and a tear falls from my eye. “No tears.”

  “I'm sorry. I guess I'm a little disappointed.”

  “There's no reason to be, we're pregnant.” He shoves the test into my hand. In shock, I look down at it. Two pink lines. They're faint, but they're there. I look up at him, he's smiling at me, and I just cannot believe it!

  He cups my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb, a huge smile on his face, and I am completely in shock right now. It's as though I can't make my mind register what he's just said to me, or the two pink lines I can clearly see. I have wanted this for so long that it doesn't quite seem real.

  “Sweetheart?”

  I look him in the eyes and I feel like I might burst! “We're having a baby.” It comes out as a whisper, an excited whisper. I laugh as he wipes the tears from my eyes. “I can't believe it, Kory. I never thought it would happen this quickly.”

  “It did and I can't wait to tell everyone!”

  “No!” I laugh out loud. I didn't mean to yell. He's looking at me with narrow eyes. “Baby, I don't want anyone to know just yet. Not till we get past the twelve-week stage. So much can happen in the first trimester. We could lose the baby...” He shakes his head, but I nod mine. “I'm not saying we will, but I don't want to jinx it. So please, for me, can we not say anything until we know for certain that everything is okay?”

  “Anything you want, baby. Are you sure you can keep this huge secret from everyone back home? I mean, we're going home soon.”

  “Are you being serious right now?” He looks at me curiously. “Kory, I kept our marriage secret for six long years. I think I can keep our baby a secret for a few weeks.”

  “Point taken.” I laugh happily as he pulls me into his arms.

  * * *

  All the way home two weeks later, Kory does nothing but talk about the baby and how we're going to decorate one of the spare bedrooms, turn it into a nursery. Then how our mothers are going to go crazy over the baby.

  His mother maybe, mine will be angry with me. Just as she was about my marriage. Not that I can blame her for that. The guilt of keeping it from her is eating away at me, even more so now that I'm home. All I want is to share this with my mom. She's always been there for me. Okay, she's a strict woman, but she's only ever wanted the best for me. I hurt her in a way I can never take back.

  Being home seems different somehow. I've only been gone a few weeks – fourteen – three and a half damn months away from home! – yet everything has changed. My husband is finally home. He kept the house in Seattle for those times he needs to be there for work, but we're finally together just as it always should have been. Even if I do feel somewhere inside of me a little scared that it won't last.

  But I'm not the kind of girl to dwell on what might be, I keep looking forward. If he does leave me again it will be the last time. But I want us to work, I deserve to be loved the way he always swore he loved me. And now we're having a baby!

  The first night home, Kory and I spend it wrapped in each other's arms after unpacking our things. All we wanted to do was relax. The following morning, I make my way into work. I need to check how things have been going with the boutique. I also think I need to give Roya a few days off. The girl has worked wonders since I've been away.

  Of course, the second I walk through the door at 10 am she's around the counter, wrapping her arms around my neck while squealing happily. “I've missed you so much!”

  “I've missed you, too,” I say while pulling away from her.

  She takes my hand and drags me over to the leather couch in the seating area I have set up for customers and those that come into the boutique with them.

  “I can't believe you ran off with my brother!”

  I laugh at the wide-eyed, mock shocked expression on her face.

  “I didn't run off with him, he kidnapped me.” Again, I laugh at the expression on her face. “Don't worry, it wasn't as bad as it seemed. He just wanted me to listen to him.”

  “I am so confused.” She rubs her hands over her beautiful face, and I smile again. “So, Kory kidnapped you? You stayed with him as his prisoner?”

  I chuckle.

  “No.” I adjust the skirt of my blue dress and sit straighter in my seat.

  Roya unconsciously plays with the Peter Pan collar of her sleeveless green blouse, which looks amazing with the tight blue jeans she's wearing. The shirt – one of her own creations – is tucked into her jeans, and she's sporting a very thin belt through the loops of her jeans. Her blonde hair is tied up in a messy bun atop her head. Her makeup in light and makes her blue eyes so much brighter. She looks so much like Kory it stifles me sometimes.

  When she first came to town and came to my boutique looking for a job, I knew there was something about her that I couldn't put my finger on. She reminded me of someone. But it was one of those things where you don't think about it too much because you just can't figure it out.

  She sounded like Callie when she spoke, but there was a hint of an accent there. I liked her instantly and I gave her the job. She's amazing at what she does, and every design she brings me takes my breath away. Not to mention her knack for designing some of the most erotic lingerie I, and every customer that places an order with us has ever seen.

  When Roya arrived here she was struggling to keep her head afloat. Then she told me about her little boy and how sick he'd been, and I just knew I had to help her. Little Jaxson is the most pleasant little man I have ever met.

  Roya had no idea that Jaxson's father, Bryton, was living here in town with his older brother, Chase Braxton, husband of one of my best friends, Emilie. Of course, it wasn't long before Bryton made Roya see that they belonged together. And now they're happily married and raising little Jaxson in the best way they can. Which, in my opinion, is perfect.

  I was the one who finally found out the real reason Roya had moved to Oak Springs, but I still to this day can't believe I didn't work it out sooner. Sidney, Kory's mother, sat in the boutique, drinking coffee with me while she waited for my mother. I walked into my office at the back of the store to grab some material I wanted to show Sidney. I wanted her opinion. Something I used to do a lot of. I found Roya with an old newspaper clipping in her hand. A clipping that documented the hell Sidney and Keller went through when their thirteen-month-old daughter was abducted from their garden. Little Abigail Harper was never found.

  It hit me like a ton of bricks to the head that Roya Nixon was, in fact, Abigail Harper. She'd come to Oak Springs to find her real family. But she'd been sidetracked after bumping into Bryton Sawyer. I admired her for putting her son's needs above her own. But right then, I knew I couldn't let Sidney suffer a second longer with wondering what happened to her baby girl.

  So, of course, I made Roya sit while Sidney told her the story of how baby Abigail was taken and what it did to her and her family. Once she was done, I made Roya tell her exactly
who she was.

  And that was that. Abigail Harper was home with her family, renamed Roya Abigail Harper. At least until she became Roya Abigail Sawyer a few short months later. She's been my best friend ever since.

  “I wasn't his prisoner. I'm his wife, he just wanted me to listen to him.”

  “And you did?”

  “Yes,” I roll my eyes with a smile on my face, “I listened to him. He told me that he wants us to make a real go of things. No secrets, no hiding our relationship from anyone. He's even moved home with me.”

  “Wait, what?!” She practically yells in excitement. Roya loves Kory. She told me once, that before she'd even met him, she knew he'd be her hero.

  Kory was eleven when Roya was born and he doted on her. When she was taken it broke his little heart and he spent years in therapy because of it. Even as an adult he couldn't seem to let himself get close to anyone.

  I think deep down that's what kept him from being with me until now. Or maybe there was something more to it. I haven't asked. If I'm honest, I'm scared of what the answer will be if I do.

  “My brother's home?”

  “For good,” I say, squeezing her hand.

  “Oh my god!” She squeals happily, and I shake my head with a smile on my face. “You have to come to the bar tonight.”

  “No, I don't.”

  “Yes! Oh, please come. My mom's taking care of Jaxson for a couple hours so Bryton and I can have dinner. Then we're meeting the gang at the bar. You and Kory should come. Please?”

  Gah, why does she have to look at me with those puppy dog eyes?

  “Fine, but I have to meet with my parents and yours first.” God help me.

  Thirteen

  Aimee

  I'm so nervous I might throw up. Kory asked his mom to ask my parents to meet us at his parent's house. We're not going to tell them about the baby yet, but we fully intend to tell them that we're making a go of our marriage. I just hope my parents have calmed down. Especially my mom. God, she was so angry with me. I've never seen her like that before.

  When I was growing up, she was always so calm and passive. She hardly ever raised her voice, but she was so strong. She was a rock for Sidney when Roya was abducted. I thought she was some kind of superhero back then. Everything she did helped me see my mother for the beautiful person she is.

  Yes, she was strict, but she always made me feel invincible.

  But as I sit on Sidney's humongous couch next to my husband, my parents opposite me on another of the smaller couches, and Kory's parents sitting in the armchairs beneath the window, I feel very fucking small.

  “It's good to see you,” I say with a smile in my mother's direction, she doesn't smile back. She won't even look at me, that hurts.

  I lace my fingers with Kory's and he kisses my head tenderly. I'm trying not to cry, but this hurts. Although, my dad has spoken to me. Or at least he did when he greeted us.

  Kory is so lucky, his parents are the same with him as they've always been.

  “You're really home for good?”

  “Yes, Mom.” Kory smiles at his mother.

  Both our mothers are dressed so elegantly in on the knee dresses. My mothers is light green, long-sleeved dress. Sidney's a navy blue sweater dress. Me? I'm dressed in nothing fancy. Jeans and a baggy knitted sweater. I've tied my hair up in a bun, and in all honesty, I look like a scruff. But I don't feel very well right now. I didn't have the energy to dress up or even do my makeup. I'm already suffering morning sickness.

  Kory looks as hot as he always does, even in his black jeans a T-shirt. His blonde hair is slicked back, and he smells amazing as always.

  “Aimee and I want this to work. Yes, we did the wrong thing by keeping our marriage from you. No... I did the wrong thing by making her. But I had my reasons. Legal reasons. It's all over with now and I'm home.”

  “And how long is that going to last?” I open my mouth to answer my mother, but Kory squeezes my hand, letting me know he'll do the talking here. So I'll let him.

  “Always. I married Aimee because I love her. My job prevented us from being together,” But still he won't tell me why. “That's over now. I am one hundred percent committed to my wife. You can either support us or stay the hell out of our lives. The choice is yours.”

  I can't believe he just said that to my mother! She says nothing, just shoots daggers at Kory.

  “We support you, darling.” His mother smiles at him. “Both of you.” She smiles at me next and I smile back. Kory's father never says much.

  Town sheriff and he says nothing?

  Amusing, right?

  “I'm not happy about the way you went about this.” I worry my lip while listening to my father. “But you are my daughter and I love you. You're a grown woman and I can't tell you what to do or who to love. I just want you to be happy, Aimee.”

  “I am happy, Daddy. More than you could know right now.” He tips his head and says no more about it.

  “Happy.” My mother huffs without looking at me. She's looking anywhere but at me. “Lying to her parents for six damn years! If you think for one second that I'll accept this, that I'll forgive you, either of you, then you are sadly mistaken!”

  “Jenny, this isn't the way,” Sidney tells her.

  They start arguing and I block them out. I did this, I caused all of this, and I won't forgive myself for it. My mother won't either. In all honesty, I doubt my father has or will. The thought of losing them completely is killing me inside and I don't know how to deal with.

  We stay only fifteen minutes more before I tell Kory I want to leave. My mother won't even look at me and I can't take it any longer. If she wants to act like I don't exist, then that's up to her, but I won't sit around and be ignored any longer. I'm a grown woman, it's my life, Kory is my husband, the father of my child.

  She'll come around eventually.

  I hope.

  * * *

  I haven't said much since meeting with our parents. Kory took me home and we showered and changed ready to meet our friends at the bar.

  I'm wearing a navy blue, long-sleeved, wrap around dress, with blue heels. My hair is loose the way Kory likes it, and my makeup is light.

  I look okay, I guess. I could have made more of an effort, but I couldn't be bothered.

  Kory is wearing dress pants and a gray button-down shirt. He looks hot. I could ravage him looking like this.

  As we drive into town, Kory keeps his hand on my knee, squeezing every now and again. I don't want to tell him that I'm feeling out of sorts. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I feel really hot. And it's not even hot outside it's November.

  I don't know if I've worked myself up over my mother or what, but I feel like I could cry my heart out right now.

  “Are you okay, sweetheart?” I turn to face him and smile while nodding my head.

  We've just parked the car and we should be making our way inside, but here I am not wanting to move. My limbs feel heavy. But I won't tell him that.

  “Are you sure, baby? We can just home if you'd rather.”

  “No,” I smile. “Let's go in. We don't have to stay long. In fact, I don't want to stay long. I'm quite tired.” I giggle to ward off the tears that want to escape.

  Are these pregnancy hormones?

  It's not a nice feeling if it is.

  “I'd rather just take you home, Aimee. I don't want you exhausting yourself.”

  I roll my eyes playfully and get out of the car. He gets out and rushes around to me and takes my hand. He's not happy that I'm making him go in there, but I promised Roya.

  The second we walk in the place all of our friend's cheer. How embarrassing! I can feel my face getting red, and I know Kory is instantly uncomfortable. He hates being the center of attention. And I feel awful because I told him he had to come tonight.

  I turn to him and mouth, Sorry. He just smiles and kisses me, letting me know that he's not angry with me and I should enjoy myself.

  I'll try.

&n
bsp; Callie drags me away from Kory and toward the girls while Sonny drags Kory toward the men. Since when did we decide to drink separately?

  “I got you a vodka.” Lora hands me the drink, which I'll have to pretend to drink. “Come on, knock it back you're behind by three.”

  Crap, how am I going to get out of this?

  “Thanks, but I drank so much last night I don't think I could handle another night of being drunk.” I chuckle as Roya snatches the vodka from my hand and knocks it back.

  Lora eyes me suspiciously. No one else seems to disbelieve me, but my best friend has never been stupid. She always knows when something is going on. Yet, she says nothing.

  “So, how's married life?”

  “It's really good.” I smile to myself. It couldn't be better, in fact. Della smiles in my direction.

  Emilee hands me a lemonade and I thank her. I need to get used to this. No more alcohol for me for the foreseeable. But I don't mind.

  It's actually quite fun being with the girls again, I hadn't realized just how much I'd missed them all. A few of the girls go off to dance on the small dance floor, leaving me with Lora, Della, and Paige. Each one is looking at me like I have something to hide. I mean, I do, but they can't possibly know, right?

  “I've never seen Kory look so at ease.”

  “I'm not sure he's really at ease, Del. But he's trying for me.” He really is. I knew he didn't want to come here, he doesn't feel like he has anything in common with these people. But they are our friends. His as much as mine now, and I need him to get along with them just as I do.

  I guess he feels a little uncomfortable being here with his sisters, what guy wouldn't? But he's with his brother-in-laws. It's time he got to know them properly.