Exposed (Let Me Love You #3)

Chapter 29

29

GOAT FRIENDS

MATT

N oah offers to use my camera to take some photos for us, so we do a few posed photos with family in the backyard. He’s the most reserved of our group, and I suspect he volunteered for that job so he doesn’t have to socialize as much. No matter the reason, I’m a huge photography guy, so I’m grateful to have someone to capture the memories from today.

After all of this is over with the custody battle, my priority will be Simon. I don’t know how things will shake out with Pepper and I, but you never know. This may be the only time I get married.

Mamie ushers us inside to eat, and I take Simon in my arms and cuddle him into my chest.

Hope, Shy, Aerica and Indy gather around Pepper. She looks at me like a deer in headlights, and I want to give her reassurance that she’s fine by herself with them.

These are the best girls she could be friends with, so I’ll give her a quick boost of support, then let her be on her own.

“Hey, ladies,” I smile as I step up and put an arm around my wife’s waist.

“You’re a princess. Hope was, too, at her wedding. I can’t wait until I get to be a princess,” Indy smiles dreamily at Pepper.

I kiss Pepper on the top of her head, then squeeze her hand before walking away.

As I go, I hear Aerica tell Indy, “You’re already a princess, angel. You don’t need to get married to be one.”

I’ve heard Aerica say a couple of times that Shane was her soul mate, and she doesn’t believe life gives us two soul mates. That’s above my pay grade to know if that’s true or not, but I hope she can find a way to open herself up again.

“Hey, man,” Deacon grabs both of my shoulders from behind and shakes me lightly. “Congrats.”

I turn to face him and he grabs my hand and pulls me in for a clap on the back.

“Thanks, D.”

Noah slides up next to us. “Congrats, Matt.” He adds quietly, “Have you heard from Rick28?”

“Dude, it’s his wedding day,” Deacon says.

“Yeah, and his wife needs help.” Noah’s serious demeanor only lightens up for Hope. He calls himself a realist, but I think he’s a pessimist. Either way, he quickly grows on you. Hope is head over heels in love with him, and I’m loyal to the big, growly guy.

“True that,” Deacon lifts his chin toward me. “What can we do?”

“Rick28 said he’s finishing a job and will get back to us in the next couple of days,” I reply.

“I’ll look for a backup in case this guy falls through,” Noah offers.

“Good idea,” I agree. “I’ll do the same.”

“The more important thing today…” Deacon smirks. “It’s your wedding night. We’ll take Simon tonight, so you and Pepper can have time alone.”

“Seriously?” Pepper and I have fooled around a few more times, but it’s always while Simon is napping or sleeping at night. We’ve never gotten to be together without me knowing Simon is close by and may wake up at any moment.

“We’ll pack everything he needs. I’ve gotten plenty of experience from helping raise Indy,” Deacon assures me.

“I’ve never spent the whole night away from him.” Well, since I got him a couple of weeks ago, but it already feels like I’ve had him forever. My life is irrevocably bonded to his.

I look over to the group of girls. Time alone with Pepper would be a dream. My friendship with Hope has been strong ever since we were kids, and I trust her implicitly.

“We’ll guard him with our lives. Deacon and Shy’s room joins ours with a door. He’ll have four personal bodyguards,” Noah adds.

“Yeah. You need to practice for when you knock up Hope,” Deacon smiles and playfully hits Noah in the chest.

Noah’s face pales momentarily.

“You’ll rock at dad life, man,” Deacon shakes Noah’s shoulder.

“Hope so,” Noah replies.

“Point me toward the room where you keep Simon’s stuff,” Deacon instructs.

“I’ll help you.”

“No, dude. Stay with your wife. I can find Simon’s pocket knife and nerf guns to bring with him,” he quips, his brown eyes filled with mirth.

“Yeah, they’re next to his coffee maker by the crib,” I joke back.

“Can you imagine a baby hopped up on caffeine?” Deacon laughs and punches my shoulder.

“I don’t want to,” I shake my head. “His stuff is in my room. There’s a pack and play in my closet you can take. His favorite panda bear is on my bed. You’ll need his formula, his bottles, the water warmer, clothes, diapers, wipes….It’s a ton of stuff. Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I brought a duffel to put everything in. This isn’t my first rodeo, kid.” Deacon clicks his tongue and gives me a playful slap to my cheek.

He may be two years younger than me, but he has way more experience with kids since he’s helping raise Indy.

An idea for Pepper and me pops in my head.

“What’s the weather forecast tonight?” I ask.

Noah does a quick search on his phone. “Mild. No precipitation.”

“You’re already planning something dirty aren’t you? Atta boy,” Deacon pats me on the back, and I rub my fingers over my jaw.

“I’m always planning something dirty,” I smirk, and Deacon chuckles.

“Tomorrow morning, call us when you guys wake up, and we’ll meet you back here,” Noah suggests.

“That works. Oh, and Pepper made a schedule for his feeding times.” I point to the fridge.

“I’ll take a photo of it,” Deacon salutes me.

Tomorrow, I’ll tell them about the custody battle. Hopefully, they have ideas for how we can find cold, hard evidence that the Trumans would be unfit guardians for Simon.

I beeline toward Papi holding Simon. If he’s going to be gone tonight, I want my cuddles now. Plus, he probably has to poop before he goes, and Lord knows he only does that when I’m holding him.