Broken (35 page)

He leaned forward and said, “Courtney, this is Anna MacBeth, a friend of ours from high school. She just moved back to town. Anna, this is Courtney Will, Whitley’s best friend, and Mitch’s, um…”

Courtney forced a smile. “Mitch’s girlfriend.” She glared at Reed before turning toward Anna and smiling. “Hey, Anna. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hi, Courtney. How are you liking Llano?” Anna asked as she grabbed Reed’s hand.

I looked back at Courtney, who was now looking down at their hands.

Ah shit, this is not looking good.

“I love it. Some things I could do without though,” Court said as she looked directly at Reed.

Reed snapped his head up and looked at Courtney. He laughed and then turned to Anna and said something to her, causing her to laugh.

I leaned over and hit Layton in the leg. He yelled out.

“Shit, I’m sorry, Layton! Is your leg sore?” I asked.

He was rubbing his leg. He glanced over toward Anna and then back at me. “Yeah…I must have hit it on something.”

I leaned up and whispered in his ear, “I think we might have a problem.”

He looked at me with a questioning look. “What?”

“I think Anna might have picked up on the tension between Reed and Court. And, um…Court seems to be slightly jealous even though her and Mitch just slept together last night.”

Layton pulled his head back and looked at me. “No shit!” he said with a smile on his face.

“Uncle Layton is swearing, and Whitley is telling secrets! I get more ice cream!” Kate called out.

Everyone started laughing.

I couldn’t help but notice Anna glaring at Courtney.

Yep, she certainly noticed something between Reed and Court.

Just then, I felt the hairs on my back stand up. I looked around.

“You okay, babe?” Layton asked.

“Yeah, I’ve just had the strangest feeling that someone has been watching me all day. It’s nothing. I’m being paranoid over nothing.”

We spent the rest of the game laughing, drinking, and buying Kate more ice cream than she needed. I couldn’t believe how much Layton and Reed got into the football game. Reed’s younger brother played on the team, and Anna’s sister was a cheerleader.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if little Anna down there was a cheerleader herself. She looks like the type.”

I looked at Courtney and rolled me eyes.

As the night went on, Reed and Anna were hanging on each other more and more. At one point, I swore Reed has his hand up her shirt.

I glanced at them, and they were kissing each other as Anna was sitting in Reed’s lap. When she pulled away, she moved her ass and lifted her eyebrows.

“Oh, please.” Court rolled her eyes. “I think I’m going to puke. What a slut. I mean, Kate is sitting right next to them. Show a bit of restraint, for fuck’s sake.”

Layton hit Reed on the shoulder and pointed to Kate. Anna got up and moved to sit next to Reed.

“I need a beer or ten.” Courtney got up and made her way down the bleachers.

Reed jumped up and asked, “Does anyone want anything?”

“Ice cream!” Kate yelled.

“No more ice cream, Kate. I think we’re going to be heading out of here shortly,” Layton said as he hugged Kate and looked up at Reed.

Reed made his way down the bleachers and went in the same direction as Court. I glanced over toward Anna, but she was busy talking to Kate.

About fifteen minutes later, Courtney came walking back up the bleachers. I could tell she was upset, and it almost looked like she was about to cry.

When she sat down, I asked, “Hey, are you okay?”

“I hate him so much,” she whispered.

I didn’t even need to ask whom she meant. Reed came walking up and looked directly at Courtney before turning and smiling at Anna. He handed her a Frito pie and a beer.

“Layton, I think I’m ready to leave,” I said.

He jumped up and grabbed Kate’s hand. Clearly, he had been ready to leave for some time now.

“Say good-bye to Reed, Kate. We’re leaving now,” Layton said as he reached and shook Reed’s hand. “I’ll call you tomorrow. I’m gonna need help with the cattle if you’re free.”

Reed nodded. “Yeah. You know I’m always ready when you are.”

Kate gave Reed a long hug good-bye before taking Layton’s hand.

I reached down to hug Courtney good-bye. “Will you be at home this weekend?” I asked with a wink.

She shook her head. “I’ll probably see you out at the ranch. I don’t want to be alone this weekend with this weird feeling I’m having.”

I gave her a weak smile. A part of me thought she just didn’t want to be alone, thinking about Reed with Anna.

“Okay. See ya tomorrow, Lollipop.”

I stood in the kitchen, making pancakes, as Kate went on and on about how she was going to marry Reed when she grew up. She even had their kids’ names picked out.

“Don’t you think Reed might be a little bit too…oh, I don’t know…old for you, Kate? I mean I know you just turned six and all.” I asked with a wink.

She shrugged her shoulders. “Well, until something better comes along, I’m going to marry him.”

I let out a laugh as I flipped her pancake. I glanced up to see a grumpy Layton walking into the kitchen.

“Hey, Uncle Layton! Whitley is making us pancakes for breakfast.”

Layton attempted to smile at Kate before looking up at me. I knew he was pissed at me. I could see it in his eyes. Kate had begged to sleep with us in Layton’s bed last night, and I’d given in and said she could. I knew Layton was disappointed.

“Happy birthday, munchkin,” Layton grumbled.

“Are you a grumpy bug today, Uncle Layton?” Kate asked.

“Yes. Yes, I am, Kate. I’m grumpy because I got no sleep last night. You kept kicking me in your sleep while pulling off my covers and laughing all night.”

I frowned as I glanced down at Kate whose little smile had faded.

Damn it, Layton. You hurt her feelings.

“But I thought—” Kate started to say.

“You know the rules, Kate. You’re not allowed to sleep in any other bed besides your own. Now, your mother is going to be pissed at me because Whitley here gave in to you last night and let you sleep with us.”

My mouth dropped open, and Kate’s little head just hung down.

“Why didn’t you tell me her mother had a rule about that, Layton?”

He spun around and looked at me. “I told you no, Whitley. I told you she couldn’t sleep with us, and you still said she could. I didn’t realize I had to give a full blown-out reason.”

I started to butter Kate’s pancake. I looked at her and smiled.

When I set it in front of her, she shook her head. “I’m not hungry anymore.”

“Eat your pancake, Kate. You know your mom likes you to eat breakfast. Whitley, can I talk to you outside?”

I leaned down and smiled at Kate. “I didn’t know your mom had a rule, Kate. If you know that you’re breaking a rule and I don’t…you can’t just go along with it, okay? That’s still breaking the rule.”

Kate nodded and gave me a weak smile. She reached for the syrup as I stood and followed Layton outside. I was ready for him to lay into me.

Here, I thought he was grumpy from not getting sex last night.

As I shut the door behind me, I braced myself for his onslaught.

I turned around, and he grabbed me and pulled me to him.

He put his hand behind my neck and barely brushed his lips against mine as he said, “God, I’m so sorry I snapped at you just now. I’m so sorry, baby.”

The feel of his tongue moving against my lips made me moan. I wanted him so badly.

I instantly relaxed and whispered, “Layton…”

He reached down and picked me up as I wrapped my legs around him. I instantly felt how much he wanted me, and I was aching to have him inside me.

“When is Jen picking up Kate?” I pushed myself into him.

He moved his lips down and kissed along my neck. “Any. Moment,” he said between kisses.

“Thank God. I mean, I love Kate and all—”

Layton slammed his lips against mine as he moved his hand up my shirt and then along the top of my pants. “I want you, Whit, so damn bad.”

“Yes. Touch me, please, before I go insane.”

Just as I felt his hand about to go down my pants, I heard a female voice.

“Um…excuse me for interrupting.”

Layton pulled his lips from mine and put his head against my forehead.

“What do you want, Olivia?” Layton closed his eyes and slowly moved his hand out of my pants.

“My event planner. I realize it’s a Saturday, but if she wants to plan my wedding and reception, we should probably talk about it. It seems like every time I see her though, she has her damn legs wrapped around you like a horny-ass teenager.”

I leaned my head against the house and sighed. I was so tired of this girl. I’d had enough. I leaned in and kissed Layton on the lips before motioning for him to put me down.

I walked up to the edge of the stairs and looked down at Olivia. “Listen, Olivia, I worked your engagement party. I never said I was going to help you plan your wedding.”

She let out a laugh. “Well, I would think if you’re trying to start a business, you wouldn’t want to turn down any jobs.”

I wasn’t going to do this.
I am so done with letting people walk all over me.

“I’m sorry, Olivia. This is one job I’m going to turn down. I don’t think it’s very appropriate for me to be the event planner for your wedding and reception.”

Her smile dropped, and she snapped her head over toward Layton. I looked over my shoulder at him. He was smiling as he gave me a wink. I knew he was happy that I was telling her no.

“What do you mean, it’s not appropriate? Why the hell not?”

“Well, for starters, I’m dating your ex. And to be honest, the first wedding I’m going to plan is gonna be my own wedding.”

Olivia’s hands flew up to her mouth as she started to shake her head. “Oh my God. You’re pregnant?”

“What?” Layton and I both said at the same time.

Just then, Jen opened the back door. “Oh my God, you’re pregnant, Whitley?”

Kate came running out, singing, “Whitley’s got a baby in her tummy!”

I started shaking my head as Layton reached down and grabbed Kate. I turned to see Mitch and Courtney walking up with one pissed-off Reed following behind them.

The moment Kate saw Reed, she jumped down from Layton and started to run toward him. “Guess what? There is a baby growing inside Whitley’s tummy!”

Reed and Courtney quickly looked up at me, and both said, “What?”

“Wait—what? How? I mean…when?” Layton asked from behind me.

Oh shit, my head is spinning.

“You bitch! You’re pregnant, and you didn’t tell me?” Courtney pushed her way past Olivia, who was now staring at Layton.

“I’m shocked that you would knock up this poor girl, Layton.” Olivia slowly shook her head.

“What?” I spun around and looked at Olivia and then Layton.

Layton just stared at me as I tried to push Courtney away from me.

She was leaning down, talking to my stomach, “You’re going to be the best dressed baby in Llano!”

Layton took a step toward me and smiled.

Ah shit…does he think I’m pregnant?

The smile on his face made me weak in the knees.

Would he be happy if I were pregnant? Oh. My. God.

Everyone was talking all at once. Courtney was still talking to my stomach, and Mitch started saying something about teaching the baby how to rope as he smiled down at Courtney. Olivia was trying to tell Layton what a huge mistake this pregnancy was, and Reed was trying to grab Kate, who was running around, screaming that I had a baby growing in my stomach.

The only two people not talking were Jen and Layton. Jen was standing there, smiling at me.

No, wait. Oh my God, this has to stop!

“STOP!” I screamed. “Everyone, just shut up!”

Instantly, everyone stopped talking, including Kate.

“Oh…Whitley said shut up, mama,” Kate said.

Courtney was now on her knees with her hands on my stomach. I pushed her away and took a few steps back.

“For Christ’s sake, stand the hell up, Court. You look like an idiot!” I said, shaking my head.

Courtney jumped up and started smiling.

“I’m not, let me repeat this, I’m not pregnant.” I looked around.

Jen’s, Layton’s, and Court’s smiles all disappeared. Olivia smiled and seemed to be relieved.

I took a few steps closer to Olivia. “I really don’t appreciate you assuming that I’m pregnant because I want to plan my own wedding first, Olivia. I’m sorry, but I’m just not interested in planning your wedding. Period. You’re going to have to find another event planner or wedding planner for that. And when Layton and I decide to have children, it sure as hell will not be any of your business, so don’t ever say what you just said again. Do I make myself clear?”

“But—”

“No, I’m done with this conversation with you.”

Olivia put her hands on her hips and gave me a drop-dead look. “Fine. I was just trying to do you a favor by having you plan what is sure to be the year’s most talked about wedding in Llano. But if you don’t want to—”

“I don’t want to,” I said with a smirk.