“I don’t know. None of the guys said so. They said they found your phone under the sofa, smashed.”
“Maybe my memory’s off.” I play it off, but I believe it was intentionally broken.
“Speaking of memory—the police want to take your official statement. They took the initial report, but they need a formal one now.” I’ve been dreading that. I know it has to happen, even though I wish it would magically all go away.
“Can we hold off a day or two? I’m not ready to say anything.”
“Of course. They have enough evidence to try and convict him. They just want a solid backing.”
“And his father’s going to stick his nose in it to make sure the media doesn’t get wind of this and do all he can to minimize his son’s actions.”
“I assume so.”
“Given that he was at the hospital trying to hush you and me up, I’m not certain how far he’s willing to go.”
“Don’t remind me. I want to strangle your parents for even daring to sweep this under the rug.” His hand squeezes into a fist until his knuckles whiten. I place my hand over his. “I don’t mean to frighten you, Jules.”
“You don’t scare me. Just the opposite. You left me because you thought it was in my best interest, despite you wanting me.”
“I just didn’t want you to suffer a lifetime of unhappiness.”
“See what I mean?”
“So have you completely forgiven me for pushing you away on your birthday?”
“Yes, Anthony. Although, as a woman, it’s my right to remind you often of anything that once displeased me.”
“How can I make you forget it?”
“I doubt I ever will, but a kiss would be a good start.” Like a flash of lightning, he’s on me, his hands grabbing onto the counter and the back of my chair and his mouth claiming mine. It’s fast, hard, but not demanding. His phone rings in his pocket, forcing us to stop kissing. With everything going on, all calls are important.
“Sorry, it’s my sister.”
“Can we watch a movie when the food comes?”
“Absolutely.” He answers the phone and says, “Hold on a second.” He leads me into the living room where a seventy-inch television is mounted to the wall. I take a seat, and then he hands me the remote after powering it on. “The channels should be all the same as in Dallas. I’ll be right back.” He kisses my temple and walks the other way.
“Shut up,” I hear him say as he heads in the other direction from the kitchen.
Ten minutes later, he’s back, but I don’t bring up the conversation because I don’t want to be nosy. His phone goes off again. This time, it’s my aunt. I’m surprised that she’s calling him, but then again, she probably has his number stored for safety reasons. He hands the phone to me.
“Sweetie, Penny’s in labor.”
“Oh my goodness,” I gasp. I’m so excited to hear they’re having their baby finally.
“They’re back in Dallas General.” The same hospital I just left. “Rest, darling. Don’t worry about coming down there. I’m sure they’ll be home in a couple of days and you’ll feel well enough to visit.”
“Thanks, Aunt. Tell her to call me when she feels up to it.” The doorbell rings, and Anthony pops up off the sofa to get it.
“I will. Rest well, sweetie, and when you feel better, make some cute babies with that handsome young man.”
“I will.” I’m so glad he wasn’t sitting here to hear that. I end the call just as he brings in the pizza. The thought of having his babies makes my ovaries burst with excitement. I can almost feel my womb getting ready. Either that, or I’m just really freaking horny.
“Here we are, madam. Your dinner is served.” They even included paper plates and napkins with the order. Perfect.
“I’m so happy Penny’s having the baby now.”
“I know. They’re all giving birth. There are going to be a lot of kids around the same age in town.”
“Who else? I haven’t been around, and Penny and I haven’t had much time to talk lately.”
“Well, there’s Doc and Sophie, or Sophia. People call her both. Beast and Mary are expecting. Then, there’s Ghost and Grace, and now Wrench has just gotten with Mackenzie.”
“Mackenzie? The girl who works at the grocery store?” I remember thinking I hoped Anthony didn’t like her.
“Yes. He’s going to laugh when I tell him that even you have met her. He’s like the last person in town to come face to face with her.”
“She wins the best game of hide and seek, I guess.”
“Yes, and soon I hope that we’ll be adding to that group of little ones.”
“We haven’t even…”
“We will.” His phone goes off again. “Son of a bitch,” he snarls. “Eat. I’ll be right back. It’s my parents. I’m going to kill Roxie.” He opens the pizza box first, though. “Yes, Pops, what’s going on?” He stands but doesn’t go far, so I can hear him but not his parents.
“She can’t keep her big mouth shut for a whole minute. I haven’t asked her yet. Look, I’ll talk to you later. We’re in the middle of dinner.” He hangs up on his parents and powers off his phone.
“Just want an hour of peace with you.”
“I’m glad I don’t have my phone, then.”
“I think that should be a rule. No phones during dinner.”
“That’s a good rule. They want you to ask your sister something?”
“No, baby. My mother was talking about planning the wedding.”
“Wedding?”
“Yeah. See, they’re crazier than me.” I take a bite out of my pizza to avoid the conversation and not give away that my heart aches to be his wife. “What do you want to watch?”
“Pick something. I’m terrible at picking television. I’m a reader.”
“How about a movie based on a book?”
“If it’s not Harry Potter or Pride & Prejudice, I’ll pass.”
“Harry Potter it is. Which one?”
“Can we start with the first?”
“Whatever you want.” He starts the movie with a quick search, and we eat our food in companionable peace.
I don’t remember when I fell asleep, but I wake with a scream. “Shh, it’s okay. You’re here with me,” Anthony whispers. I turn to him and press my head against his bare chest. I shouldn’t say bare, because he has a nice spattering of hair that is just enough to make him even sexier. This man is truly all man, and I’m so in love it’s ridiculous. He soothes me to sleep, and the rest of the night, I don’t wake again.
****
It’s been nearly a week since we arrived in Steeleville, and we’ve seen all the Harry Potter movies. I even convinced him to watch Pride & Prejudice, which he loved. Jackson and Penny came over to see us and to show us their little one. I fell in love and yet, I don’t think I’ll ever have a baby. Anthony hasn’t done more than kiss me again. It’s almost as if he’s scared to hurt me, but the way he pulls away hurts more than he can understand. His parents come tomorrow, and I’m sure that he’ll act like a complete gentleman, and I’ll be hornier than ever.