Page 102 of Love Is Ale You Need

I’m stunned silent. Chad turned into an asshole in the past six months, but I never expected him to steal from Jake. “Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. But at the same time, I can see it.”

He folds his hands on the table. “That’s not all. They caught him because of the fight Kyle had with Trey.”

My jaw drops. “At my apartment?”

“Yeah. Your neighbors who called the police about the fight caught the license plate of the truck that sped away. They concluded that the truck was the same truck I caught on camera the night of the break in. The owner is Henry Wilcox.”

All the puzzle pieces magically fit into place, except one. “That’s the same name Trey told me.” I purse my lips. “But how does he fit into the picture? I don’t know him.”

“Apparently, it’s Chad’s step-uncle.”

My head draws back. “I never would have guessed that. I wonder how those two connected.”

“I have no idea. I just wanted to call you down here and let you know. I’ll be telling everyone about Chad later.”

“Thanks.” All the news about Chad, Kyle, and uncles ping pong through my mind. It must have been the truck that followed me. Shit. It could have been Chad who gave me a flat. Jake’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.

“Now, you go do whatever you need to do.” He rises to his feet, and I do the same, only slower. “But before you go, I have something for Trey.” He strolls across the bar and down the hallway. A minute later he emerges, a hammer in his hand. “Give this to your boyfriend.”

“He’s not—”My boyfriendsits on the tip of my tongue. I swallow it down. Boyfriend doesn’t sound so bad. I kind of like it, actually. It beats baby daddy.

He holds his hand out and drops a wooden gavel in mine. “He’ll know what it is.”

THIRTY-NINE

POP GOES RYLEE

Trey

“Why won’t Acorn come out of me,” Rylee groans from the plush chair and peering down to her belly. “You’re supposed to fall off the tree when you’re ready.” With her back arched, she pushes off the backrest and stands. “So fall.” She blows out an exasperated sigh, then glances to me. “If you give me any of that ‘because you’ve made such a good home, it’s so nice and cozy’ bullshit, I’ll punch you in the jugular.”

I heed her warning and take a step back, making sure I’m out of arm’s reach. Acorn is a week overdue, and everyone can tell. I take a big breath and then let it go. My patience will be tested once our acorn arrives, so this is great practice. “I love you, Rye.” Her glare slingshots to me, and I retreat another step.

“Have sex with me right now. Like fuck the baby out of me,” she demands.

“As much of an amazing offer as that is, the hostile tone doesn’t draw the appeal.”

“Appeal is the least of my concerns. I want this baby out. I’ve tried walks, spicy foods, and this baby is holding firm. Picket sign in hand. The only thing we haven’t tried is sex.”

I glance down at my crotch. “I think he’s out of commission, like on vacation. Yep. There’s the out of order sign.”

With a hand on the small of her back, she waddles across the living room and into the kitchen, grumbling about being done with being pregnant. “We’re never doing this again,” she sneers.

I slink toward her as if approaching a wild animal. “You’re absolutely beautiful and amazing and you’re so strong. You’ll get through this.”

“If I’m so beautiful, why won’t you fuck meee,” she whines. Her lip juts out as her wide, chocolate doe eyes stare back at me. “Just stick it in. It only needs to be a little. I’ll do the rest.”

I laugh to myself. She doubles her efforts in giving a little extra pout. It kills me inside that she’s bearing all the responsibility for carrying our acorn. If I could take it away from her, I would, so this is the least I can do for her. In two long strides, we’re toe to toe. I cup her cheeks. “The doe eyes are my kryptonite.” I brush my thumb over her cheekbone.

“Does that mean you’ll have sex with me?”

“That means I will fuck our little acorn out of you.” I slam my lips to hers. She moans into my mouth as I deepen the kiss.

She jerks away. “Oh! Ah!”

“Oh yeah. Rye.” I press my lips to her cheek and across her jaw.

“No. No. My water broke.” She rests a hand on her belly.

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