Uncovering Hope (Uncovering Love Book 3) (14 page)

“CARLY! WE’RE LEAVING IN FIFTEEN
!” Evie shouts from the hallway.

“Almost ready!” I yell back as I release the last section of hair from the curling iron. I paint my lips in a nude gloss and powder on some blush. Today we’ve planned a girls only outing to hunt down the perfect dress. I usually despise shopping but I can’t wait to see my future sister try on gowns. She’s beautiful and I just know we’ll find something that will leave my brother speechless.

I flip off the light and walk down the hall to grab my purse from the kitchen counter. My breath catches in my throat and I try not to panic.
What the hell?
Across the table lays a rifle and a pistol. Eli and Ezra sit in their chairs, eyes wide and mesmerized while they watch Jon’s every movement. He assembles one of the guns and wipes it with a cloth. I stamp down the past, though it bangs at my memory with a force so brutal I almost can’t speak. It’s those green eyed gazes that glace up at my presence and finally allow me to find my voice.

“Um—Jon, what are you doing?”

“I’m showing the boys how to respect weapons.”

Okay . . . I stomp toward the living room where Kate, Evie, and Tate congregate. I bug my eyes and I meet my brother’s gaze.

“What the hell, Tate!” I whisper shout so the boys can’t hear. “Why is Jon playing Army in my kitchen?”

“Oh, crap.” Tate sits up straight on the couch and his smile dims. “I forgot to tell you. We’re taking the boys shooting.”

“What!” I yell, unable to contain the anxiety that crawls across my skin at his words. I can’t breathe. Kate grabs my hand and meets my eyes.

“It’s okay, Carly. Jon’s trained. He thought it would be fun to take the boys out for a lesson. He’ll keep them safe, but if you’re not okay with it they can do something else.”

Tate’s in front of me. His hand squeezes my shoulder. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t my call to make. They aren’t my boys. I should’ve asked you first. I just thought it would be a good experience. Gun safety is important.”

I nod and take a deep breath. He’s right. My own fears aren’t something I want passed on to my boys. Jon’s the best teacher they can ask for and the boys respect him.

“No, it’s okay. I just wasn’t expecting it. And yes, next time a heads up would be good.”

The doorbell rings and we all tilt our heads toward the sound.

“We’re not expecting anyone else, are we?” I ask.

“No, my sister’s meeting us there.” Evie frowns and Tate opens the door.

“Can I help you?” my brother says in his most intimidating voice. He blocks the doorway with his muscular frame.

“Hi, I’m not sure you remember me. I played your engagement party. Is Carly here?” What is Derek doing here? Tate turns his chin to meet my gaze over his shoulder and I stride to the door before my brother decides to play protector.

“Derek, what are you doing here?” I bump Tate out of my way with my hip and he moves, but I can tell he’s closely monitoring my interaction with Derek. I bite my lip and take in Derek’s appearance. He’s wearing his usual tight jeans and they fit like a second skin over his quads. Today he’s paired them with a bright red sweatshirt and matching Chucks. A black beanie covers his head, which makes me grin.

“I was worried after the problem with your car yesterday and I wanted to make sure you were okay—that you didn’t need anything. Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” He nods behind me and when I look over my shoulder I see the entire household is now staring at my surprise visitor. “I should’ve called first.”

“That’s okay. Thanks for checking on me—that was really nice. But I . . . I’m actually getting ready to leave.” I stammer, and Derek grins. He gazes directly over my shoulder and waves. He’s not even paying attention to me.

“Are those your sons?” He waves again and makes a silly face. Their giggles sound.
Great!
He’s already caught their attention. I step back.

“Do you want to come in and meet them?” I ask with just a tinge of irritation.

“I thought you’d never ask.” He smirks and then walks inside and drops down to squat before my boys’ curious stares.

“I’m Derek. It’s nice to meet you. Your mama has told me all about how awesome you guys are.” They beam.

“I’m Ezra and that’s Eli. Mama’s going with the girls. The boys are going to do man stuff. You wanna come, too?”

“Oh, Ezra, I’m sure Derek has other things planned,” I say.

“Actually—” Derek starts.

“I think Derek should come with us.” Tate says. He stares Derek down with his arms crossed over his puffed out chest. Really? He’s totally flexing.

“Yes, come shooting Derek,” Jon adds. He stands from the kitchen chair and cocks the gun in hand.

Oh, my God. Really? I look down at Derek and speak slowly and plainly. “You do not have to go shooting. You probably have something much better to do with your Saturday.” Seriously, like he wants to be grilled all afternoon by my pseudo bodyguards and hang out with my kids.

“Actually . . .” Derek grins at Eli and Ezra. “I would love to go shooting with you dudes.” He stands and nods at Tate and Jon. “If you don’t mind me crashing the party, I’m in.”

I shake my head. I can’t understand why he’d want to put himself through this sort of punishment, but that’s his choice.

“Okay, well, I think we’d better get going.” I look at Evie and Kate, who haven’t said a word. Wide smiles stretch across their made up faces. Oh, shit. I’m totally getting grilled in the car.

“Yes! We can’t be late for our appointment!” Kate calls out. She drags Evie and myself out the door with her. “Bye, boys! Don’t maim the drummer!”

Not five seconds after the car doors slam I’m pummeled with questions.

“Shut the front door! You and Derek? I can’t believe this!” Kate yells and peels out onto the street.

“I thought you had a date with a doctor? We were looking forward to real life
Grey’s
not
Almost Famous
.” Evie pouts. “Let’s hit Starbucks on the way.” She taps Kate’s shoulder. Kate nods.

“Derek and I aren’t a thing.”

“Then why the fuck is he showing up on your doorstep on a Saturday morning?” Kate meets my gaze in the rear view mirror and her brows rise over the frame of her sunglasses.

“I don’t know. Well, he was the only person I could think to call yesterday when my car wouldn’t start,” I start to explain.

“And he came and got you?” Evie gushes. “How sweet is that?”

“Ha!” Kate laughs. “Not sweet. He just wants in her pants.” She meets my eyes again. “Sorry, Carly.”

“No. I know. I thought that, too, but I made it perfectly clear he wouldn’t be doing that weeks ago.”

“Wait. Hold up. Weeks?” Evie turns in the front seat. Her brows furrow and her voice is soft. “I feel like I don’t even know you.”

“Stop. It’s not a big deal so I didn’t mention it. Derek volunteers at Children’s. Apparently, he’s been doing so for years, just never on my floor. We ran into each other and he happened upon Luis’ room.”

“Luis is Carly’s favorite patient.” Evie fills Kate in.

“I thought you’re not supposed to have favorites,” Kate adds.

“We aren’t.”

“Back to the story about you falling in love with a rock star.” Evie bats her eyes.

“No. No. That’s not what I’m doing. We’re friends. He’s gorgeous and talented, but so not good for me or what I need. And he’s cocky as hell.”

“Damn straight,” Kate muses with appreciation.

“Then you are dating the doctor?” Evie asks.

“Yes. I guess so. I mean, he’s really polite, and hello, he’s a doctor so he’s smart, well educated, has direction and life goals . . .”

“Fucking snore fest,” Kate interrupts.

“He’s seems dreamy,” Evie argues.

“I don’t know, he sounds more McBoring. Is he at least good looking?” Kate pulls into the drive thru lane.

“He’s very good looking. And he has all his hair.” Kate and Evie burst into a fit of giggles. “What? I know it sounds weird but honestly, most doctors are bald and fat!”

“Okay, what are you bitches having?”

We place our orders and Kate and Evie continue to debate whether Garrett’s the right choice for me. All Kate’s talk makes me wonder whether there’s something wrong with me. Should I be concerned I don’t feel blind lust when Garrett and I are together? I shake my head and sip my coffee. No. I’ve had that before and I lost myself. I will not do that again.

It’s one of the main reasons I knew the moment Derek said hello that I’d never let anything happen between us. He’s just like Josh with that magnetic pull that seeps into my very being. Yes. Practical is better. And I do find Garrett attractive. And I appreciate he wants to date and get to know me better. It’s respectful and it makes me feel in control.

“I can’t believe we’re doing this!” Kate squeals as we pull into a space directly across from the bridal boutique. “Fucking A! My best friend is really getting married!”

Evie beams and we make our way inside the small shop. A bell chimes overhead and a woman’s voice calls from the back, “I’ll be right with you!”

“Pumpkin spice latte, yum. Kate you want a sip?” Evie pushes her cup into Kate’s face.

“Oh, God. Please, no. Keep that shit away from me.” Kate shoves it away.

“I thought you loved pumpkin spice?”

“I do . . . I just . . . Don’t want to spill anything on my outfit.” Her face goes a little pale and she swallows two times while Evie studies the gowns hanging on the rack. “Excuse me.” Kate calls over her shoulder as she hurries toward a back hallway and my eyes grow wide.
Could she be—?

“I need to use the ladies room, too, Evie, I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.”

I walk briskly and push inside the restroom just in time to hear the tell tale sounds of Kate retching inside one of the stalls. A flush, and a moment later she steps out, giving a little jump when she finds me waiting.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were in here.” She won’t meet my eyes.

“You’re pregnant!” I practically shout. Her eyes go wild and she shakes her head vehemently back and forth.

“No. No. Not that. Couldn’t be. I . . . oh, my . . . fuck me,” she stutters and goes pale again. I wet a few paper towels at the sink to dab them across her forehead and neck.

“It’s okay, Kate.” She seems overwhelmed by my allegation. “You really didn’t know?”

“I can’t be. I . . . what if? Oh, God . . . I can’t.” She looks as though she’s about to be sick again. I brace her shoulders with my hands.

“Breathe. It’s okay. You’re not the first woman to do this.” Tears tumble down her face. “It’s okay, Kate. You’ll be okay.”

“You can’t tell Evie.” She struts to the mirror to examine her face and grabs a few more paper towels to wipe her tears. She pulls a compact from her purse. “Promise me, you’ll say nothing to Evie.”

“I won’t, but why? Are you worried about being too big for the bridesmaid dress?”

She catches my gaze in the mirror and shakes her head. Her words are almost a whisper, “No, I’m afraid I won’t be.” She gulps once and finishes her retouch. By the time Kate’s done she doesn’t look pale or upset or even as if she’s been crying. “Can you just not tell anyone for now? It’s too early and I can’t . . . I won’t . . . I just—”

I touch her shoulder and nod. She’s obviously worried about losing the baby and I have to wonder if that’s happened to her before. I won’t push if she doesn’t want to tell. “Of course. I won’t say anything. But if you ever need to talk, I’m here, okay?” She nods and then pastes on a brilliant smile.

“Now let’s go find our bride a kick ass gown!”

Kate pushes through the door and I scramble to catch up. I mentally prepare myself for the primping and preening that’s sure to fill our afternoon. I wonder how my boys are holding up. It irritates me that I can’t help but wonder about Derek too.

“
WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS WITH
my sister?”

My eyes flick between Tate at my right who keeps flexing his arms and Jon at my left who repeatedly loads and reloads the same damn rifle. Every time the gun gives a little pop I can’t help but jump, and his twitching lip tells me he finds it amusing.

We drove an hour outside the city to this little wasteland in the desert. I’d seriously be concerned they were bringing me here to murder my sorry ass if it weren’t for the two boys. Carly’s sons found shooting fun for about ten minutes and then became more amused with finding old shotgun shells. I’m relieved they’re here, though. Tate and Jon wouldn’t hurt me in front of the kids. I hope.