"So you finally moved out of Mom and Dad's, huh?" Knox doesn't waste a minute before he starts teasing his sister. "You two gonna admit being together now?"
Kaitlyn shoots him a death glare. "Why don't you mind your own damn business?"
"As your big brothers, you are our business," Kane offers. "We thought you'd live at home until you got married."
"Which at this rate...you'll be fifty," Knox bellows.
Kaitlyn kicks him with her boot underneath the table.
He loudly hisses. "That was my fuckin' shin."
I enjoy watching her get even with them when they push her too far.
"How do you expect me to take dating seriously if I have to tell guys I still live at home?" she fires back. The thought of her bringing someone home has me stabbing a piece of sausage with my fork.
"Pretty sure they're not gonna like you livin' with another man, either," Kane interjects.
Kaitlyn rolls her eyes. "You two look like y'all have been bathin’ in horse shit all day and still managed to find wives, so I'd say my chances are about the same."
We haven't talked about the possibility of one of us dating other people after the baby, but I have no desire to be with anyone other than Kaitlyn, and she’s not interested. I came to terms with that fact a long-ass time ago.
Kaitlyn: GET YOUR ASS HOME NOW! IT'S O-TIME!!!!
I swallow down the lump in my throat as I re-read her text.
Holy shit, this is really happening.
I've been on high alert ever since she told me her cycle started. Over the past couple of weeks, we've formed a nice routine.
We briefly see each other in the mornings while getting ready for work and making coffee. Sometimes we meet at the B&B for brunch, and then once we're home, we eat dinner together and hang out. Now that the paperwork and permits have been filed for the horse rescue, it’s been the center of our conversations. Jackson's already got the blueprints for the stables being drawn, too, so they can start building soon. We still watch our shows every Wednesday, but now we've started two new series on Mondays and Thursdays.
I look back down at my phone and send her a response.
Payton: On my way.
After I’ve replied, I try to think of an excuse to send Knox for my abrupt departure. He's on the other side of the barn, so I get in my truck before texting him.
Payton: Running home real quick to get some meds for a headache.
Knox: Hurry back, or I'm putting you on double shit duty.
I grunt, locking my phone instead of telling him to fuck off. Like that bastard has any room to talk. He's left for hours at a time to meet Hadleigh. Pressing down on the gas, I rush home as fast as I can.
As soon as I walk into the house, I find Kaitlyn in the kitchen chugging back vodka.
"Are you okay?" I grab the bottle, screwing the top on.
"I'm too anxious to do this sober," she admits.
"Kate, we can wait till tonight if you..."
"No! I don't want to waste any time or miss my window. It's just been a while for me, and the last guy who was down there made a comment about my thighs being too thick, so I haven't felt super—"
"Are you fuckin' kidding me?" I nearly throw the bottle across the room. She's never talked about anyone she's been with, but hearing she wasn’t treated right has my nostrils flaring. Unacceptable.
"What're you doing?" She startles when I grab her hand and lead her toward her room.
"I'm about to show you how a real man appreciates a woman."