Laying it Bare After a Loss Page 20

  “It’s breathtaking.” I stared at the immense splendor of nature. “I’m so glad you suggested coming here today.”

  “I love seeing you smile. Your completely joyous smile.”

  While we stood with our gazes transfixed on the spectacular view before us, the water cascading over the outcropping of rocks, I allowed the peaceful serenity to wash over me. My soul needed a day like today. And being with Mitch made me immensely happy, especially when I shared experiences like this with him.

  “I want you to get to see it even closer.” He led me down a few other paths, past other rock outcroppings, before we scaled down a couple of ladders to a suspension bridge which overlooked the falls. “If we had been planning on ditching the bar tonight, we could have brought swimming stuff and hiked farther to get even closer to the falls and also enjoyed the water hole but just seeing the place is good for your first time.”

  “Maybe we can plan a day for all of us to come out here. I’d definitely love to come back. It is gorgeous here.” Watching the rush of water over the falls was mesmerizing. We stood there for a while taking in its grandeur.

  Mitch glanced at his watch. “Wow. I can’t believe I lost track of time. Are you hungry yet? We need to make sure we’re keeping you and the baby fed.”

  “I think in all of the excitement, I forgot about food.” My stomach let out a small rumble. “But I guess now that it has been brought to my attention, I could eat.” I giggled.

  “Well, it’s two o’clock. We need to eat lunch. You’re not feeling lightheaded or anything, are you? I should have brought snacks on the trail with us. We’ve got over an hour hike back to the truck.” He handed me his oversized water bottle and I took a huge drink.

  “No. I’m good. I’ll be fine. I’m just now realizing I’m hungry but we had a good breakfast. And I know you will take great care of me but you don’t have to take care of me. So don’t worry. This has been amazing and soon I’ll get to relax in the back of your truck with some lunch. I’ve never been in the back of a guy’s truck before.” I shot him a saucy smirk.

  “Don’t get me all riled up. We’ll end up getting arrested for indecent exposure in the back of that truck.” He pressed his lips to my forehead. “Let’s head back and I don’t care what you say, if you start feeling strange, you let me know and you can hop on my back.”

  “Deal. But I’ll be fine. I promise.”

  During our hike back, a few bunnies and squirrels scampered across our path on numerous occasions. We didn’t see any deer – which I didn’t expect to since the park was crowded with many people out hiking – and thankfully didn’t run into any bear. That would not have been fun. I’d rather gaze at them from the safety of the other side of an enclosure at a zoo. And by the time we reached his truck, my stomach was growling like an agitated bear. I was pretty sure the people nearby heard the roar.

  After grabbing the cooler and blanket from the back, Mitch quickly dropped the tailgate and spread the blanket in the truck bed.

  Once he helped me climb up, he popped open the cooler. “Grab your sandwich and start eating. I’ll get the drinks and snack stuff opened.”

  I mentally rolled my eyes. Guess I should get used to this. Even though I had said not to, he was going to make a fuss. But deep down, I loved him for it. I didn’t have any of that the first time around.

  “Is your sandwich okay? What else do you need?” He offered me a bottle of water. “I have some sort of twisted juice thing in here too.”

  I must have worn my troubles on my face. I gave him a huge smile. “It’s perfect. I’m amused because you’re fussing over me.”

  “I love you so get over it.” His grin turned playful. Then he ripped open a bag of pretzels and held them out to me.

  After grabbing a handful, I dropped them onto my plate before popping one into my mouth. “This was so much fun. I had a great time; it’s so beautiful and calming here. And sitting in the bed of your truck is a better date than a fancy restaurant. But still take me to those places sometimes.” My lips curled into an impish smile.

  “I’ll give you everything, Trinity. And I love that you enjoy the rugged as well as the sophisticated. We’ll never be bored.”

  “So are we starting with a week at my house or yours?”

  “Yours of course, Cheeky.”

  “Oh, you are so smooth.” I waved my water bottle at him before taking a long swallow.

  “Cheeky, you were mine pretty much from the start. Now with the baby, you are so far past mine, there’s no undoing it. So I’ll be doing everything I can to make sure you are comfortable with each of our next steps. And I will never play games with you – not like that anyway.” He winked at me. “I know what I want as the end game but I would never manipulate you to get it. I’m up front with what I want and will do everything I can to make it happen but not at the expense of making you uncomfortable or feel as if you were blindsided or taken advantage of in any way. I love you and people don’t do that to those they love.”

  “I’ve never worried that you would manipulate me, ever. I’m just not used to feeling as if I’m someone’s world. And you make me feel like that. But I still think you’re smooth.” My roguish smile returned to my lips.

  “And you are still Cheeky. Come here.”

  With my plate holding my half eaten sandwich and pretzels and bottle of water, I scooted over to sit in front of Mitch. He wrapped one of his arms around me while we finished eating. Then about a half an hour later, we packed up and jumped into his truck.

  “Those apples were the juiciest I’ve ever had. Where did you get them?” I twisted in my seat to look over at him.

  He took his eyes off of the road for a brief second and smirked. “I have a buddy whose parents own an orchard. I get a lot of fruit from them. So expect to see a lot of fresh fruits. I’ll be making sure you are eating well. And yes, once again, I am making a fuss over you.” From his profile, I detected his smirk widening.

  “Even though you can’t see it, I’m rolling my eyes at you.”

  He shrugged, his grin almost touching his ears.

  When we pulled in at his place a little after five thirty, I rubbed my hand on my still pretty full belly. “I hope your pieces of salmon are small or I’ll just eat half. I’m not real hungry right now. Maybe I’ll eat a snack before we go to bed then.”

  He jerked his head over to me and his eyes burned a brilliant green. “I know what I plan to snack on before bed.”

  My cheeks flared. “Why did that embarrass me? It’s not like you haven’t devoured me before?”

  “I don’t think you’re embarrassed as much as it’s making you warm imagining me making a feast out of you.” He shifted on his seat. “Okay, karma just boomeranged back to me in record time. My cheeks aren’t flushing but other parts are heating up.” Mitch hopped out of the truck and grabbed the cooler.

  I followed him up to his door. “Do you mind if I grab a shower before we eat? That will give me a chance to get a little hungrier and I definitely don’t want to go out all sweaty and sticky. I love the outdoors but I want to be comfortable at the bar.”

  He let us into his place. “While you get done, I’ll put the salmon in the oven to rewarm. Yell out to me when you are finished. Then after I shower, we can eat before we head out. But first I’ll text Jace and let him know we might be a little late but that we are coming.”

  While he pulled his phone out of his pocket, I padded down to his room. After peeling my sticky clothes from my body, I hopped into the shower. I loved doing things outdoors but it always felt so good to wash the muggy from my skin afterward. Once I was dried, I tugged on the peach sundress I had packed and yelled out to Mitch. I was combing through my hair when he stepped inside the room.

  He shot me a disappointed look. “I see you played it safe and got dressed before I came back. A bummer but a smart idea. We wouldn’t have made it to the bar had you been naked when I came in here.” He winked at me before strolling into the bathroom.
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  I finished my hair and applied a little makeup before making my way to his kitchen. I busied myself with setting the bar for us and grabbing some drinks. Since he still hadn’t joined me, I rummaged through his cupboards and freezer. Not being nosy but checking out what he usually kept in stock because now with our new arrangement we would have more time to cook meals instead of ordering in so much and I wanted to help out in that department. He liked to take care of me but I wanted a partnership. If we didn’t establish that from the start, there was a huge risk he would grow to resent my ‘laziness.’ And I was far from lazy, but if he continued to always be the one taking care of things, it would manifest into looking as if I was content being a freeloader. And I didn’t want that marring the wonderful thing we had going on between us.

  “Caught you red handed.” Mitch’s amused voice startled me and I squealed and dropped the box of brown rice I had been holding onto the floor. “So you’re hungrier than you admitted.”

  I squatted down to pick up the box, immensely relieved it wasn’t open. “Jeez, I worried you’d think I was trying to steal all of your pantry items. Or that I was being nosy and shouldn’t be going through your things.” I stood and put the rice back in his cupboard.

  His strong arms came around my waist. “We may not be living together, but that’s just a technicality. My home is your home.” He pressed a kiss to my neck. “But were you looking to rob me blind?” His smirk tickled behind my ear.

  “Even though I wasn’t exactly doing something wrong, I kinda felt like it but you always manage to make me feel better. Whether I’m sad or embarrassed.” I twisted in his embrace to wrap my arms around his neck. “I love you, Mitch. I’m so glad Charity had to go meet Jace that night. It wasn’t one of my stellar moments but without that I might never have met you or you could have met someone else before I got the nerve to introduce myself.”

  He stared at me for a beat. His green eyes shining with affection. “I would have never been happy with anyone else.” He pressed his lips to mine in a gentle kiss before leaning his forehead onto mine. “We need to eat and then get out of here before I remind you just how happy I am with you, right on this bar.”

  His words made me shiver. I stepped back. “Is the salmon ready?”

  “It should be. I’ll grab it now.” Snatching a pot holder from a drawer, he opened the oven and pulled out two foil wrapped items and placed them on the hot pads on the bar. “Did you want something else to go with the salmon?”

  “No, I’m not really all that hungry.” I sat down on one of the stools.

  “So you were trying to rob me blind then?” His lips pulled into an amused smile again.

  “Yes, because I was sure to pull a high profit on the street with all of your rice and macaroni and cheese.” I tilted my head at him. “I was checking to see what staples you usually kept since we can start making dinner more often now rather than eating takeout. And I want to get some ideas together so I can cook too.”

  “I see no problem with that.” He plopped down beside me. “You can cook right? I mean, like it’s at least edible.” He bumped his shoulder into mine.

  “I guess you’ll find out.”

  “Always so Cheeky.”

  Once we finished eating and cleaned up our small mess, we walked out to his truck and headed to the bar.

  His friends were already seated at a huge table around their usual spot since we were almost a half an hour late. When Jace caught our eye, he waved us over.

  I sat down in the empty chair beside Charity and Mitch sat down beside me.

  “So, did you guys have fun at the Falls?” Charity took a pull on her beer.

  “It was beautiful. We have to go back as a group and make an entire day of it.”

  “I’m up for a trip out there.” Flynn stuffed a cheese dipped pretzel into his mouth.

  The others at the table murmured their agreement.

  “Do you want to order something to eat or are you good with the selection?” Mitch gestured to the several baskets of appetizers. This group sure knew how to eat.

  “I can pick at this stuff and we’ll see as the night goes on if I want something else.”

  “What do you want to drink?” Mitch draped his arm along the back of my chair.

  “Why don’t you have a beer, Trinity? You haven’t had one in weeks. You know you can treat yourself and have a beer once in a while. You’re not an alcoholic.” Charity saluted me with her mug.

  “Not a good idea right now.”

  “Seriously, Trin, you’ll be fine. I promise.” My best friend pointed her chip at me before popping it into her mouth.

  “It won’t be a good idea for about the next nine months.”

  The entire table froze for a split second – it was rather comical – but Charity was the first to reanimate followed very closely by the rest of our friends.

  She shot forward in her seat and wrapped me tightly in her arms. “Oh my God! I’m so happy for you, Trinity. I mean you’re excited about this, right?” She whispered the question into my ear.

  “I’m ecstatic.” My mouth curved into such a big smile, my face hurt.

  “Congratulations, Man.” Each of Mitch’s buddies nodded in his direction, toasting him with their beers.

  Apryl sat in her seat, speechless, with tears rolling down her cheeks.

  “What the hell is up with you?” Callie set her beer down. “Why are you so emotional and sitting there crying? You’re not pregnant too, are you?” Callie giggled.

  “What?” Apryl seemed to come back to herself. “No. At least I don’t think so.” Her face scrunched in consideration. Then she shook her head.

  “Apryl?” Twisting in his seat, Flynn cupped her cheek and stared into her eyes, astonishment and a whole lot of love swimming in his blue gray orbs. “Do you think?”

  “No. I’m pretty sure I’m not. But seriously every girl at this table is fucking a virile guy.” Sipping on her beer, she shifted her gaze to each of her best friends. “Even using condoms, if one of their swimmers detects even a small weakness in the latex, he is like ‘fuck you you assholes she’s mine and I’m gonna fertilize the shit out of her.’” She air quoted the comment as she deepened her voice.

  The guys burst into guy splitting laughter while the girls rolled their eyes and giggled.

  Then she aimed her mug at everyone. “And then he shoots off like a heat seeking missile and you all know he will be successful. Besides, condoms aren’t one hundred percent.”

  “The ones I use definitely aren’t.” I mumbled but Mitch heard it since his arm dropped to my shoulder and he pulled me closer to press a kiss to my temple.

  “You definitely hang out with guys too much.” Sawyer was still wearing a huge ass grin but he had gotten his laughter under control. “But I can’t deny one word you uttered there, Apryl. It’s only a matter of time before Callie or Charity is sporting a round belly or you again.”

  Callie’s eyes widened but Charity and Apryl just smirked.

  “You still didn’t answer why you are crying like a big baby then.” Callie settled back in her seat, with Sawyer’s arm around her.

  “I’m so happy for Mitch and Trinity. I don’t need to rehash the past but you guys are my best friends and I love you all and I want the best for each and every one of you. And I’m just so ecstatic Mitch found such happiness with Trinity.”

  Mitch shot Apryl a heartfelt smile. The gesture warming my own heart.

  “You’re going to be a great mom again.” Charity reached for the pitcher of beer but then froze. “We’ll have to start thinking about a baby shower and stuff. Us girls can plan one for you. You have a couple friends at work we can invite.” She tried to shoot me a private apologetic glance.

  But it was too late to take back the accidental blurt. Apryl dropped her pretzel onto her plate, her eyes wide.

  “Wait. What? You’re not old enough to have a grown child. Do I want to hear this story? Actually you may not want to share it anyway and
that’s okay. We’ll talk about baby shower stuff or the guys can distract us with male topics since I’m sure they’re not interested in baby things, just making babies. Sorry, I’m babbling.”

  I took in a deep breath. “It’s okay. And I’m not mad at Charity’s big mouth.” I blew her a kiss. “But you guys will have to hear about it sooner or later. I don’t like talking about it at all, but being with Mitch has helped me immensely to deal with the loss of my son.”

  Mouths gaped open at my confession. But our friends quickly schooled their features.

  “It will help you understand when I have a bad day and I’m sure I’ll still have some of those.” I shared my story of how I met Donovan and the resulting pregnancy, fight for custody, and then subsequent loss of my child. By the time I was done, the girls had red tear stained faces and the guys at the table had barely restrained anger in their expressions. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to dampen the evening and even though this wasn’t the best place to talk about this, I feel like you guys should know about it.” I wiped my cheeks with my napkin. “But now someone needs to lighten the mood. We came here for fun.”

  “It’s okay. I’m sure one of the guys will say something indecent soon. But we’re here for you. I know we’ve only known you for a little over a month but you mean something to Mitch and you mean something to us.” Apryl swiped the back of her hand across her cheeks. “Thank you for sharing that with us. For trusting us with that part of you. I know it wasn’t easy.” She gave me a sad smile.

  But thankfully, after a bit of awkwardness, Sawyer revived the ‘entertaining vibe’ at the table when he enlightened us with a crazy story about their neighbor’s naked antics in his backyard, while Callie rolled her eyes.

  About two hours later, the group headed out to the parking lot.

  Charity walked over to Mitch’s truck with us and gave me a hug. “I’m so sorry I let the cat out of the bag. But you seem so much better now. I’m so thrilled for you. You too Mitch.” She yelled over my shoulder. “It’s going to be perfect this time around. We’ll go baby shopping in a month and then, I’m serious, we will plan a spectacular shower for you.”