Baller's Baby - A Bad Boy Romance (16 page)

Not like
this.

Never
like this.

"Hey,
baby. It's not your fault," I reply, pulling her to her feet and into
my arms.

I don’t
care that my that my shoulder is throbbing, and right this second, it feels
like it's about to fucking fall off. I need to hold her close. I need to feel
her body against mine and let her know that everything is going to be okay.

Chapter
Thirty-Five

Skila

People
are rushing around everywhere.

I don’t
know what happened.

One
minute, Camryn was fine and things were going smoothly, and then he snaps.
Blood covers the floor, puddling around my feet. I think he split his head
open. I’m not sure. One of the orderlies lifts Cam to his feet and another
offers support. He is dazed and disoriented, but his gaze latches onto me.

“Sky?”
he asks, glancing around the room.

It's
almost like he doesn't recall anything that happened in the last few minutes—hell,
maybe even the last day or longer, it's hard to tell. Kiptyn is talking to the
receptionist at the counter. His hands are flying through the air while he
speaks, and I can tell from here that he’s getting angrier by the second, but I
don't know why. My stomach rolls again, and I retch. Nothing comes up. I’ve
already lost the contents of my stomach. I have nothing left to give.

“Sky?”
Cam asks again. His voice is gaining an edge of hysteria to it that worries me.
I don't want him to freak out again, but I don't know how to keep it from
happening either.

“Yeah,
Cam?” I ask, taking short, shallow breaths. I ignore the blood on the soles of
my shoes. Someone is working at cleaning it all up right now, but each step I
take closer to Cam leaves bloody foot trails. These people are going to hate us
before we even get him checked in.

“What’s
going on, Sky? Where are we?”

“Do you
not remember anything, Cam? We’re at the mental hospital. You need help, Cam.”

His eyes
dart around the room as he takes a step back from me. Hurt and betrayal cross
his eyes before he shuts down in front of me again. I watch as the shutters
come down, closing off all emotion. Kip walks up behind me at that moment and
places his hand on the small of my back.

“We have
a problem,” he says.

“What?”

Good Lord,
I can't handle any more problems tonight. I need to go home and relax. I'm not
even supposed to be out of the bed right now. Bed rest does not include chasing
my boyfriends’ brothers across the house or calling the police or driving to
the mental hospital. This is too much.

“Apparently,
I can't sign him in here. I need two signatures to admit him. We both have to
be related to him, and unless he decides to stay on his own, we have to take
him back with us.”

“No. No.
No. He needs this, Kip.”

“I know,
Sky.”

“I’ll
stay,” Camryn says, surprising us both.

I forgot
he was standing there, so when he spoke up, I jumped into the air and almost
slipped and fell on my ass thanks to the water and blood on the floor. Kip just
stares at his brother, unsure of what to say. Neither of us expected him to be
willing to stay after the way he reacted when we brought him in the front door.

“Great. That's
really good, Cam. I’m proud of you.” I say, because I feel like someone needs
to say something.

“I need
to talk to Skila alone for a minute before I sign in,” Cam says, looking at Kip
for permission. Kip glances at me, asking me if it's okay. I shrug my shoulder,
and then Kip nods to his brother and walks away, leaving me alone.

“I'll
stay on one condition, Skila. I want you to promise me that you will sign the
termination papers and that you will file them tomorrow morning.”

The air
in my lungs evaporates. I never expected this, not in a million years. I still
don't understand why he is so adamant about not being a part of his own child's
life. It breaks my heart to even think about it.

“Why,
Camryn? Why do you not want to be a part of his life? I don't get it.”

“I do,
Sky. I'll always be a part of his life, but not as his father. I can’t be that
man right now. If you look at this with your mind and not your mother's heart,
you’ll see that I'm not what is best for him. I can't even take care of myself
right now. I need you to do this for me. I need to know that he’s taken care of
so that I can focus on me. Please, Skila.”

Silent
tears are streaming down my face when he finishes. I never thought about how he
felt and what he needed. I was only concerned with why he didn't want my baby.
I understand now.

“Okay,
I'll do it, but you promise me that you’ll be there for him when you get
better,” I say, choking back a sob.

“I
promise, Sky. Thank you so much for this, for everything. He’s such a lucky
little boy to have you as his momma.”

As he
pulls me in for a hug, I let go of all the anger and hurt I’ve felt for Cam. A
weight is lifted off me, and for the first time in over seven months, I can
breathe again. I have hope for a future that I didn't have before. Camryn
releases me and walks me back to Kip, who is standing next to the burly looking
nurse.

“Take
care of her, brother. She’s one in a million,” he says, pulling Kip in for a
tight, brotherly hug.

“I will,
bro, always. You go get better and come back home.”

“That's
the plan, man.”

Camryn
finishes his paperwork, and the nurse leads him through the double doors. I
wave bye one last time and then take Kip’s hand and walk back out of the
hospital. I'm beyond ready to get home, take a shower, and then crawl into bed.
This day has been hell. Pure flipping hell, but that's okay. It was also great.
Kiptyn found out his brother was alive. That thought alone makes my heart sing.
Even though Camryn came back a different person than he was when he left, he’s
alive and he’s getting the help he needs to become the person he needs to be
once again. I meant what I said earlier. I'm proud of him.

It’s
going to take a lot of getting used to, having him back around. I had just
gotten used to the idea of his being gone, and now he’s back. I still can’t
believe it. So far, the only thing we’ve learned is that Cam wasn’t on the
Humvee, but it still doesn’t make sense. Why did they tell us he was dead if
they didn’t have proof? Do those bombs destroy everything so badly that they
just assume everything and everyone is gone? And where was he for the last few
months? One thing is for certain: for every question we’ve answered, another
ten have replaced it. I don’t know if we’ll ever have all the answers we need
or want, but we have Cam, and that’s what really matters. A lot of families
don’t get their soldiers back.

“Let's
go home, baby.” Yes, let's go home.

Chapter
Thirty-Six

Kiptyn

Skila is
in the shower, washing away the day's exhaustion. I want to join her, but I
think we both know better than to push our boundaries. Even though we’re both
exhausted, there is no way I'd be able to keep my hands off her if I stepped in
that shower with her. Besides, there’s something much more important that I
need to handle right now.

Lighting
the last of ten candles, I set them all around the bedroom, illuminating the
space with soft lighting. I turn on Spotify and play some slow music on the
lowest volume possible. I don’t want the music to take away from what I need to
say to Skila, but simply to add a romantic feel to the room. I hear the shower
shut off a moment later, and Sky steps out wrapped in nothing more than a silk
robe. She’s the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life.

“What’s
all this?” she asks, looking around the room. I know she’s beyond tired, and I
want to lay her down in bed and let her sleep for ages, but I need to talk to
her first.

“Sky, my
beautiful, amazing Sky. Come here, baby. Let me talk to you.” I pull her closer
to me, easing her down on the bed. She reclines against the pillows and looks
up at me, questioning me with her chocolate eyes.

“Tonight,
I was scared to death. I was terrified I was going to lose you. I didn't know what
was happening, and my only thought was fuck . . . I’ve never told her I love
her. Skila, I may not be the best person in this world, and I'll make my share
of mistakes, but the one thing I can promise you is that not a day will go by
that I'll not love you.”

“I love
you too, Kiptyn. I have for a while now. I was just afraid of pushing you away
if I told you. I should have had more faith in you.”

“Come
here, baby. Let me hold you.”

 
I pull her closer to my side, relishing the
feel of her body against my own, and all of a sudden, I see things perfectly
clear. I can't believe I never thought of this before now.

“I never
want to be without you again. I don't know how I survived a day before you. I
feel like my every breath comes straight from you. Marry me, Skila. Marry me.”

“Kip,
are you serious?”

“Yes.
Marry me. Plan whatever you want for the wedding, I don't care, but I want you
to be my bride as soon as possible. Two weeks from today? Say yes, Skila,” I
beg her. I need to make her my wife. I need to have her as mine. All mine,
forever.

“Yes.
Yes, Kiptyn.” She throws her arms around my neck, squeezing the life from me.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Skila

I snuggle up in the fuzzy blanket, thinking
about all that had transpired. I find myself humming
Love and Marriage
—you know, from
Married with Children
—and giggle to myself. I close my eyes and
smile, feeling the soft fluttering of my son turning what feels like cartwheels
in my belly. I'm lost in the moment when I feel the bed dip a bit. I turn to
find Kip smiling widely. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Well, I was thinking about the
nursery. I think we should go with a more neutral color. I know you had your
heart set on blue, but what happens when we decide we want another?" I can
feel the blood beginning to flush my cheeks at the thought.

"You're jumping the gun a bit there,
aren't you?"

"No. Just
thinking ahead. You never know what fate has in mind for us." I'm
speechless, which is rare.

"Kiptyn, how
about we make it through this one before we talk about more? Besides the
nursery, we have a wedding to plan."

"About that. I
think my grandma has her heart set on setting all that up."

"When did you
tell her?"

"About five
minutes ago. I thought you were sleeping." I can't help but smile.

"You know my nana
is crazy, but I bet she'd like to put her two cents in." Kip nods and
wraps his arms around me, pulling me to him.

"You know, I
meant everything I said, and I couldn't be happier."

"I know. Now
quit changing the subject. I think a cute multi-sports theme would be adorable
for the baby's nursery."

"I'm cool with
sports," he says, kissing my cheek.

"Good, so it's
decided then?"

"Umm . . . not
exactly."

"What does that
mean?"

"I have a
designer coming tomorrow to talk to you."

"What? Kip, I
want us to do it. I don't want some stranger trying to tell me what my baby
needs."

"Baby, chill. I
can cancel, you know. I just figured with the wedding and all, you might need
some help."

"Well I guess
some help would be nice, but no pushy broad. I'm hormonal and would rather not
go to prison for snapping. I might only be five foot four, but my attitude is
six foot three," I reply, realizing I sound utterly insane. He bites his
lip to hide the grin that threatens to cross his lips.

"I love you,
Skila. Every little crazy thing you say makes me fall more every day." He
snuggles up against me, resting his chin on my shoulder. "So, are you ok
with your nana and my grandma planning this wedding? She said she would run
everything by you first, but she does tend to go overboard."

I smile and shake my
head. "It's fine, but Nana is a bit . . . how do I put this mildly?
Wild."

"Wild, you say?"

"Yeah, she likes the Henny and devil’s tobacco quite a
bit."

"I can't wait to meet her. I bet she's fun," he
whispers before placing a soft kiss on my shoulder.

"You know, I never imagined you to be so sweet. It’s
almost surreal to be here with you holding me."

"Believe me, baby, I'm real. I'm here, and I have no
intentions of going anywhere."

I close my eyes and breathe deeply. I'm allowing myself to
relax and melt into him as I drift off into a peaceful slumber.

A stinging sensation in my side rouses me,
and I look at the clock. Three in the morning. I softly curse under my breath
as I shift to adjust my torso and to alleviate the pain.

"You ok?" Kip asks groggily.

"Yeah. I think. My side is burning, and
my leg feels numb," I reply, sitting up slowly and rotating my ankle,
trying to bring the feeling back. He jumps up and crawls off the edge of the
bed, turning on the lamp and sitting at my feet.

"Are you sure you're ok? Your ankles are swollen pretty
badly."

"Yeah. They are, but that's not what's bothering me.
Would you rub my side? Please?"

He nods and stands up, leaning over me and softly stroking my
side. I groan, and he pauses. "You know, you really shouldn't make those
noises. Do you know what that does to me?" I laugh, because it’s pretty
damn obvious.

"Yeah. I know. Sorry. It was almost an instant
relief."

"How about I draw you a warm
bath?" He asks, a sly grin creeping across his face.

"Sure, but no funny business. You know
what the doctor said."

"Yes. I know. I'll try to behave, okay?"

"Fine. I'll waddle in there in a
minute." He laughs and rubs my belly before taking off to the bathroom.
Standing up, I slowly make my way to the bathroom. The smell of lavender begins
to permeate the room. I step in to find the tub filled with bubbles and rose
petals and the soft flicker of candles lighting the room

"Why, Mr. Price, are you trying to
spoil me?" I blurt out with a giggle.

"What if I am? You’re mine, baby,
forever and always. If there is ever anything I can do or give you to help you,
then I will. I promise you that."

"Thank you. You’re
too good to be true," I reply, dropping my robe to the floor. My shadow
dances across the wall, and I realize just how big my belly has gotten.

 
"Looks like you have a basketball stuffed
in there," he says with a wink.

"Asshole,"
I mutter as he helps me into the tub. The warm, fragrant water envelops me, and
I can feel every muscle in my body turn to mush. Kip craws into the oversized
tub and sits behind me, pulling me against his chest. I can feel his attraction
for me pressed against my back, but he doesn’t try to seduce me. Instead, he
soaks the loofah in my favorite fragrance and gently rubs it along my shoulders
and down my arms. When he’s done washing my body, he pulls me back against him
and wraps his arms around me, cradling me safely between his long legs. I rest
my head against his chest and let the water relax my muscles and ease the pain
in my side.

“I love
you, Kip.”

“I love
you more.”