I feel Drew’s deep chuckle. “Go to sleep, crazy.”
And I do. It takes me all of three seconds to completely pass out, which is incredible considering I haven’t been able to sleep in months. With my head rising and falling on Drew’s chest, I sleep like a rock for the second night in a row. I feel safe with him, more than just physically. It’s like my mind exhales and fully quiets with him.
In the morning, the bed is empty when I wake up. There’s a little note on my pillow that says Drew went for a run, but I know he only did it because he’s a wuss and didn’t want Grandaddy to catch us together. I smile at his horrible doctor handwriting scrawled on the paper and then force myself out of bed to get ready to head back to Nashville today.
Over coffee and Oreos, I stare at my grandaddy and his white hair and lined skin. My heart aches. I don’t want to leave him behind anymore. “You know…” I say, trying to tread lightly because I know he’s just as stubborn and independent as me and will easily spook. “Your great-grandchild will be here soon.”
“Is that what that round thing is in your stomach?” He grins and sips his coffee.
“So sarcastic.” I run my finger over the rim of my mug.
“What is it you’re wantin’ to say, sugar. Just spit it out.”
“I want you to consider moving to Nashville.” I pop my eye
s up to his and see the breath physically frozen in his lungs.
He doesn’t say anything right away. Instead, his eyes travel around the house he’s lived in for so long. His memories are here with my granny and letting go will feel like letting her go for good. I’m sensitive to that, but I also know there’s a new little person about to enter this world and I would love more than anything for him or her to get to know the man who raised me. I want him to be a daily part of my child’s life, not just a weekend visit. It would be one thing if I truly thought he was happy here, but I hear the loneliness in his voice during our phone calls.
“Someone once told me there’s no sense in looking back while you’re still moving forward,” I say tenderly. “I know you think you’re too old for change, but you’re just getting started. Come to Nashville. Bring all these pictures with you and hang them on new walls. Granny came with me when I went, and she’ll come with you too.”
He narrows his eyes on me, and a light smile touches his mouth. “I’ll think about it.”
“Good.”
After a small pause, he adds, “Thanks for wanting me around, sugar.”
“Always.” We each pop an Oreo in our mouth to keep from spilling any more emotions.
A few hours and a goodbye where I blubber like an uncontrollable fool to Grandaddy later, Drew and I pull up into his driveway. No sooner than he puts the car in park do I lean across the console and grab the front of his shirt, pulling me to him. I slept great last night, and I’ve had a whole two-hour ride home to let my hormones’ imagination run wild with desire for Drew. I was too tired last night, but I’m not now.
Drew’s eyebrows shoot up as my lips press into his, possessive and wanting.
I intertwine my fingers in the back of his hair and try to turn the heat level up to a thousand. Drew takes in a sharp breath as I coax his lips to part and deepen the kiss. Something he said last night really got to me. There is a very real chance my body is going to be destroyed after this baby comes, and although I don’t particularly relish the idea of being intimate with this huge belly, I also know it’s going to be months before I’m physically able after birth. It’s now or practically never. And no, I’m not being at all dramatic.
Except, Drew pulls away with an awkward smile. “Whoa.” He chuckles, and I move to kiss his cheek and then his neck. “What’s happening right now?”
I answer him by trying to take his shirt off. “What’s it look like?” I kiss his strong jawline.
Drew grabs my hand and stops me, though, pulling away with a slightly panicked look in his eyes. “Jessie…slow down. Let’s…go inside and talk about it first.”
What?
He just put the brakes on. Turned me down. Oh my gosh, Drew doesn’t want to make love to me! Of course he doesn’t—I’m massive! He’s had time to think about it and finally realized making love to an elephant doesn’t sound appealing. What was I thinking?!
Mortification slaps me, and I feel my face burning hot as I lunge for the handle and jump out of the Jeep. Except, I can’t, because I’m so freaking pregnant that I can’t get out quickly. Great. Now my face looks sunburned from the angry blush creeping over my skin, and I have to scoot to the side of the seat and put my hands under my butt to hoist myself up like a sumo wrestler coming home after a match.
“Jessie, wait!” Drew jumps out of his side like a spry leprechaun, and his agility makes me irrationally angry. He rushes around to where I’m climbing the front steps of the house.
“No. It’s fine,” I say, my voice breaking because YEP I’m crying again. “I’m a whale. I get it. You don’t want to have sex with me like this. I don’t blame you—I wouldn’t either.”
I shove my key into the lock, intending to race up to my room and barricade myself inside for the rest of my life. Sure, I’ll have to deliver my baby up there, but it’ll be fine.
“No, no, no. Wait, don’t go inside yet. Let me explain!”
“Save it!” I’m on a dramatic daytime television show now, and if I had a vase of water nearby, I’d throw it in his face. I finally get the key turned in the lock and fling the front door open.
I’m immediately greeted with the sight of at least twenty wide-eyed faces. The room is silent, and I immediately take in the giant banner that reads Oh, Baby, Baby, glittery streamers, a table full of cake and treats, a giant pile of presents, all of my friends, a few ladies who work at the salon, Drew’s parents, and Lucy and Cooper standing in front of everyone with matching nervous smiles.