It’s Always Us (Abandoned Brothers #3)

Chapter 29

LEX

“Where are we going?”

Mark’s arms slide around me from behind. “One of my major sponsors is throwing a party. That’s tonight, and then the awards are tomorrow. There’s a huge expo, but I’m thinking we take advantage of our time alone.” His lips find the sensitive, ticklish spot right behind my ear. “Shane, Maggie, and the kids are coming in tomorrow, and we’ll catch up with them at the game. Andie’s with Sean, but she’ll be there.”

He pushes my hair away, trailing kisses down my neck.

I can definitely get on board with this part of the plan, especially when my nerves are about to sprout nerves.

When I met Mark at the airport, I climbed aboard the chartered plane, and my excitement to see him veered right into the lane of anxiety.

His hands glide over my belly. “Tonight will be pretty low-key. We’ll make an appearance. Talk to a few people, then—”

I pull away and spin around to face him. “I have to talk to people.” I’m kind of joking, but not really. Just the idea of hanging out with his family makes my palms sweat and my heart skip to a different beat.

He snatches me back, my body fully pressing against his. “Not if you don’t want to. We can pretend you’re mute.”

“Mark, I might actually be a little too good at that.”

“Hmm.” His lips hover over mine.

He’s not making this easy. I want to know exactly what I’m stepping into, but his hands are sliding into my hair, and if I let him, he’ll take me somewhere far away. It’s all clouding my brain when I should be preparing for battle or at least a high-profile presentation, which I. Would. Never. Ever. Do.

But I can’t think about anything at the moment other than his hands, gentle and tender, as he tips my head to just the right angle. His mouth moves slowly over my jaw to my ear like we have all the time in the world. His grip shifts to my hips, taking a firm hold and walking me backward.

“I’ve thought about this every night since I left you.” His lips brush against mine, teasing.

I want to be all in this right now, but my brain is rapid-firing questions that need answering.

My legs bump the edge of the bed, and I hit the pause button. I press against his chest. “Mark,” I whisper.

He pulls away just enough to rest his forehead on mine, his hands slipping under my shirt and around my back.

“I need more details, so I can reel in my freak out. I’m on the edge of panic.” My heart is racing, and my stomach is quivering with the unknown.

He kisses my forehead and then releases me, flopping on the bed. “Come here,” he holds out his arm.

I sit and scoot into the place next to him. He slides his arm around me and pulls me to his chest. “It’s going to be ok. Some friends messaged me. They’re going to meet us there. Guys I haven’t seen in a while. There will probably be a bunch of fans.”

“But they, your friends, don’t know about me . . . about us?”

He doesn’t say anything, so I tip my chin up to peek at him. He grins like he loves this. “Nope.”

I groan. “You punk. You think this is funny.”

“Baby, there is nothing funny about this.” He cups my cheek, holding my face, forcing me to look at him. “You are the only thing that’s been just mine. The most important thing that the rest of the world never knew about and didn’t get to see. Only me.”

“Yeah, well, you’re about to blow the concealed lid wide open. Maybe you should keep me hidden forever.”

He laughs. “There isn’t a chance in hell. It’s you and me from now on. No more hiding.”

I rest my head against his chest, needing his amused calmness to work its way into me. “I should probably start getting ready. ”

He holds me tighter. “In a minute. I just want a minute like this.” His hand spreads over my stomach, my legs tangling with his. “Besides, I’m worried I might lose you in all the clothes you brought.”

It’s my turn to smile. “Yeah, maybe. Krissy went a little crazy, but at least I’m not walking around with my pants unzipped and hanging open.”

“That doesn’t sound like a problem to me.”

I try to roll away from him, but he laughs and tightens his hold.

I grab ahold of his shirt. “I was thinking I wouldn’t go home after this.”

Silence. Complete stillness. Even the rise and fall of his chest halts. Finally, when I’m getting nervous about his oxygen level, he speaks.

“Are you serious?” His voice is soft. “You’re coming back with me? What about . . . ” He doesn’t finish his thought but slides away, propping himself up on his elbow.

“I can’t sit and watch the guys work while I do nothing. It’s driving me crazy.” I stare into his brown eyes, which are rimmed in gold. “More than that, I’m just really tired of not being with you.”

He laughs. “Really?! You’re coming with me?!”

I nod. “Unless—”

He holds my face, bringing his close to mine. “Thank you,” he whispers against my lips.

“We need time,” I whisper back.

He presses a soft kiss to my lips. “It’s all I want.” His hand slides up my thigh and over my hip to my butt.

I stare into his eyes, the heat and longing matching my own. I bite my lip, forcing restraint, but I don’t know how much longer I can take it.

I let out a slow breath as he watches me with a hint of a smirk, knowing exactly the effect he has on me. Damn him and his sexiness . “If you want me to go to this sponsor party thing with you, I need to get ready.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not stepping into your world in leggings and a sweatshirt.”

“I really, really like this look.” He pulls my sweatshirt up, revealing my growing belly, his hand gliding over it. “I can’t believe how much they’ve grown. ”

I hold his hand in place, to what I think are little kicks I’ve noticed more each day. The most amazing and crazy feeling in the world. A pure miracle. Two of them. “Can you feel any of that?”

His eyes grow wide and shoot to my stomach. “What?! You can feel them.”

I nod, smiling. “I think so. One of those pamphlets said it’s possible to start feeling them around fifteen or sixteen weeks.” He squints his eyes, trying to concentrate. “If I lay still, I can feel them go crazy after I eat.”

“I want to feel them.”

I guide his hand to the other side, where I feel movement. “Soon, you will. They’re growing by the second. I’m going to be as big as a house.”

“Want me to get you one of those motorized scooters?” I shove him, and he falls back dramatically, laughing. “You’d be hot zooming around. I’d hit on you.”

“Mark, a ninety-year-old woman would think you were hitting on her by just smiling at her.”

“I can’t help it if my charm gets misinterpreted.”

I roll my eyes and try to get up, but he holds me there. “I need to get ready.”

“Stay here.” He pops up and rummages through his suitcase. He returns and sits beside me on the bed, holding out his fist. “Open your hands.” I frown at him, and his grin stretches its limits. “Trust me.”

I side-eye him, cupping my hands. Three silicone bands fall into my palms.

I try to sit up, and he helps me as I inspect them—gold, silver, and black.

“I thought about getting you the real deal, but know you won’t be able to wear it, so I got these. Just the last piece to ensure everyone knows you’re mine.”

I grip his shirt and pull him to me, pressing my lips to his. “Thank you. This is perfect. I love them.” I slip the black one on my finger and hold out my hand. “What about me? Do people get to know you’re mine?”

He hops up again and comes back with a matching black band. “I knew you’d choose black. I got the same.” His face turns serious as he leans in and cups my face. “Lex, you are the only one I want. The only one I’ve ever wanted. I don’t want you to be anyone else. Ok? ”

I tip my head, pressing my cheek into his hand, a truckload of emotions rolling through me. My throat is thick and dry, and I try to swallow. I nod, unable to speak with the way that he’s looking at me. So honest and sincere.

I’ve tried to pretend to be someone I’m not. It didn’t work so well. I guess I’ll have to be ok with letting the world see me.

I reach up and run my fingers along his stubbled jaw. I can do this because the only times in my life I haven’t been scared or felt less than or ashamed is when I’m with him.

______

Mark grabs my hand, weaving his fingers through mine. I follow close behind, wrapping my free hand around his forearm. I’d really like to crawl inside his T-shirt and hide, but it’s snug across his shoulders and chest. There’s no room for me in there.

He stops before we reach a giant man wearing a polo with security across the back. I hear the steady beat of a drum, and distant music fills the air. Cars file past us, stopping only long enough to let people out.

Mark moves us to the side, keeping his back to the arriving people and hiding me. He tips my chin up. “You ok?”

I survey my surroundings without moving my head. His eyes are filled with earnestness and dead set on me. “Um . . . sure. You’re not going to leave me, right?”

He shakes his head. “Nope. You’re stuck with me. Forever.”

I bite my lip to hide my nervous smile.

His large hands find the sides of my growing belly and hips. “You look incredible. I’m going to have to thank Krissy when I meet her.”

I peek at my form-fitting black dress and low-top sneakers. My stomach is getting so big that I have to lean a little to see my feet.

He lowers his mouth to my ear. “This pregnant with my babies thing definitely works for you.” He kisses the corner of my mouth, and heat surges from my head to my toes.

If offered, I’d be totally down with heading right back to the hotel.

He takes hold of my hand. “Let’s do this. Just ignore all the people taking pictures.” I whimper, and he grins, making me want to hit and kiss him at the same time. “You trust me, right? ”

I nod, not even having to think about it. Mark takes my hand again, interlacing our fingers and holding tight as he pulls me toward the entrance. The bouncer, recognizing him, lets us walk right through. We stop for Mark to pose for pictures in front of a backdrop advertising his beverage of choice.

Women on their way in call out his name, trying to get his attention. I can’t even blame them. He’s beautiful. His smooth olive-tan skin and dark hair with those few strands that never want to stay in place. His perfect white teeth, under that devilishly handsome smile, but it’s different from the one that’s only for me.

He winks, and I smile back. He’s always been a bit of a rebel, but with a gooey center, I’m beginning to believe he’s held aside only for me. I want that to be true. I want to be the only one who gets that part of him. It’s selfish, and I’m undeserving of that kind of reserved intimacy, but I want it.

I want it so badly that a slight ache forms in my chest at the thought of it not being true. The ache quickly slides into a growing pit in my gut, where the truth resides, and I wonder if the past should remain where it is. Tucked far away from the one I aim to never let it touch again.

After a few rounds of clicks and flashes, Mark leads us through the crowd of people to the bar under a large metal awning. A band performs on a small stage, and a few hundred people are spread around high-top tables, laughing and having a good time.

Mark slides his arm around me, putting me between him and the bar while he orders water. I raise an eyebrow.

“I only have a beer now and then. Usually, only with Shane and Sean.”

I nod, understanding and incredibly proud that he only drinks when his brothers are watching. I push up on my toes to kiss him. Just a quick peck, but he grins like we made out.

I bite back my own, quickly feeling eyes on us as if we’re rare tropical fish in a pretty aquarium. People who’ve been drinking do a remarkably terrible job of being sly. Whispers are unguarded, phones are popping out, and people are shuffling around to get closer.

He braces his arms on either side of me, bringing his head down closer to mine. “Just ignore it. It’ll get better in a few minutes. ”

This is a brand-new side of Mark that I’ve never seen. He’s calm, cool, and collected. The cockiness is still ever present, but it’s self-assured and sexy as hell. “Does it ever get old?”

He shrugs, unbothered. Confidence pours from him, but it’s different from the unshy, bold guy I fell in love with. He’s a man who lives his life with everyone watching, and he’s totally comfortable with himself. The allure is real, and my skin tingles with desire.

“I’m used to it, but you and this . . . ” His hand slides over my belly. “It’s going to cause a stir. That part is new for me, so we’ll see. I have no problem telling people to back off if it becomes too much.”

Mark’s hand moves around close to my butt as he settles against the bar.

“Maybe we should cool the PDA. I feel like everyone is watching us.”

He leans close, kissing my cheek. “That’s because they are watching, and I’m all about PDA. Only with you.”

I think about that. I tortured myself, scrolling through pictures of Mark with other women, but they weren’t anything other than him standing next to them, with an arm around their shoulders.

He pulls away, leaving his arm around me. “You’re here with me. I didn’t believe this would ever happen. I’m taking every advantage of it and making it perfectly clear where I stand.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re full of yourself.” But I love it. I take hold of his shirt. “Did I ever tell you that you’re trouble?”

“Yes, many times, and I know you’re non-dramatic ass secretly loves it.” He leans to kiss me but stops when we hear a loud, deep voice bellow.

“Sand-berg.”

Mark turns his head, and I see one huge dude walking toward us with a posse in tow. His hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and his smile is blinding. He looks familiar, but I can’t place what team he plays for. The giant man nears, and he and Mark slap hands, moving into a man hug.

Mark is tall. He’s 6’4”, and I barely meet his shoulder with shoes on. This guy is taller. He’s huge and greets Mark with a smile that matches his size. I watch as his eyes shift to me. He stares while Mark hugs the other guys.

I stand like a suspect in an interrogation room who won’t talk. I’d like to sip my water and pretend I’m completely normal. I want to be unfazed by all this, but I’m certain it will slip from my sweaty hand, and I’ll make more of a scene than I already am by just being here . . . with Mark.

The big dude continues to eye me but then bumps Mark on the shoulder. “Who’s this pretty little thing you’ve been trying to hide?”

I want to roll my eyes, but the jolly giant’s smile tells me he didn’t mean it in a gross, dickhead way.

Mark’s arm slips back around me, and there’s that damn smirk again that has me ready to get back to the PDA.

“This, boys, is my wife, Lex. Lex, this is Macgowen, Cush, Frank, and Jacobs.”

“You, bastard. You’re married?” Macgowen grabs his shoulder. “When and why the hell wasn’t I invited?”

I can only watch these men interact. It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen Mark in his element, and these guys appear to be his friends, ones I’ve never met. It reminds me of all I’ve missed.

“A bit ago,” Mark answers. “We wanted it to be private.” He kisses my temple as his hand spreads over my stomach, then his eyes flick to mine. A smile appears like he’s the holder of the last secret. “We’re having twins.”

Macgowen’s eyes grow wide. “No shit. Sandberg is gonna be a dad.” The other guys let out a loud round of manly cheers, all congratulating us. Macgowen moves forward and sweeps me into his massive arms, hugging me. I don’t know this man, but I go with it before I fall into awkward, overstimulated uncomfortableness.

When he releases me, I scoot right back next to Mark, and as if he knows I need it, his hand rests low on my hip, keeping close contact.

They talk shop on the latest trades and moves, and Mark’s posture stiffens. He restrains from providing details about his status and quickly changes the subject. It all tells me he’s more stressed about it than he’s been letting on.

“How about you, Lex? What do you do besides putting up with this handful?”

All eyes in our small circle are on me. My babies and I want to puke up my few sips of water.

Here it comes. The furrowed brows. Then, the comments, followed by the jokes. As if this is my lucky day, a few more people push into our group .

I recognize the guys as some of Mark’s now former teammates. The woman with them is, of course, the daughter of the owner of the New York Liberties, Rochelle Gibson. The same woman, I suspect, was very much after Mark, and by the way she eyes his arm around me, my suspicion is spot on.

Her long, dark hair is slicked back into a tight ponytail, and she’s wearing a dress that covers about as much as one of my bandanas. I wonder if she’s ever worried about something slipping or popping out. Probably not. She’s tall and beautiful but in that too-perfect kind of way.

Mark ignores the newcomers and answers Macgowen’s question for me. “Lex is a mechanic.”

The group eyes me. “Really?” Macgowan says. “What do you work on?”

Mark laughs. “The shorter list would be, what doesn’t she work on?”

“I grew up in a garage,” I add, wanting these people to know I can actually speak.

One of the other guys in the group, Cush maybe, says, “I test-drove a McLaren 720.”

I can talk cars all day and all night. So, ok then. “The Brits know how to make a sweet-looking car. All luxury and style. But do you want to drive a computer or a vehicle?”

“All right, now,” he says as the guys laugh, but the condescension I was waiting for isn’t there.

“Who’s this?” One of his former teammates asks, gesturing to me with his chin.

Mark’s body goes rigid, his fingers digging into my hip.

Something tells me this cocky jerk isn’t one of Mark’s friends, and with the way the chick next to him is staring at me, I’m certain they don’t have anything nice to say.

For some reason, I don’t find myself intimidated. Maybe it’s the confident man standing next to me. Perhaps it’s because I’ve dealt with people like this before. People who look down on me as if I can’t possibly have anything to offer. Either way, it’s new, and it feels damn good.