Page 25 of Small Town Firsts

“What the fuck, Jake?” I roar, rocketing up from the couch. “Are you kidding? Are you seriously—" I run my hands up my face and through my hair. My blood is boiling from his words.Wonder what Paige would think if she heard him talking like this?

“Why’re you so mad? You said it yourself—you don't want to be hung up on her. Maybe you just need to get back in the game and get her out of your system.” I pace the living room a few times, reminding myself that his intentions are good. He thinks he's helping.

“I get what you’re saying. I do. But that’s just not gonna happen. She deserves better, and that’s just not me,” I tell him right as Paige walks back into the room, the front of her outfit sopping wet from giving the boys their bath.

“What’s not you, Cash?”

“Nothing!” Jake scrambles up off the chair he’s sitting in and rushes to her side.

“You sure are acting strange.” Her gaze darts back and forth between us, eyebrows knitting together in question. “Well, Preston and Lucas are putting on their PJs and want you to read them a bedtime story, Cash. Is that okay?”

“Of course, I’d love to. Tell ‘em I’ll be right there.”

“Will do,” she says as she pivots around and heads back to their room.

“Cash, I swear to God—if you repeat a word of what I said to Paige, she’ll have me by my balls so fast . . .” He genuinely sounds worried, which is hilarious to me.

“Sure thing, brother. Not a word.” I set off toward Preston and Lucas’ room, my laughter trailing behind me.

“And they alllived happily ever after.” I snort as I close the book before kissing each of their little foreheads. They fell asleep about halfway through the story, but I had to know how it ended.

Too bad life doesn’t guarantee a happy ending for everyone. From what I’ve lived, they’re few and far between. I quietly pull their door to and make my way through the house, looking for Jake and Paige.

I find them in the kitchen having just finished a nightcap. Their glasses sit empty on the island, and Jake has his arms wrapped around Paige as they whisper to one another. It’s an intimate moment, and I feel like an intruder. Clearing my throat, I announce my presence. “Boys are out cold. Think I’m gonna head home. It’s late.”

“Thank you so much for reading to them, Cash. They just love you so much,” Paige murmurs.

“Not a problem, I love them too.” I give her a one-armed hug and ask Jake to walk me out. “Thanks for letting me stop by tonight. This is just what I needed.”

“Anytime, brother.” We do one of those man-shake-back-slap kinds of hugs before parting ways.

I meant it when I said that tonight was just what I needed. While Myla Rose still lingers in my mind, she’s no longer at the forefront, and that’s a start.

CHAPTER 16

MYLA ROSE

Today’s the day—mysixteen-week appointment, and hopefully, I’ll get to find out if I’m having a boy or a girl. I should be overflowing with excitement, but my attitude is still a bit sour from how last weekend ended.

I know I need to move on and get over it. The fact that I care, that I’ve been stewing over it for this damn long, really irks me.

According to the girls, I’ve been a straight-up bitch. As far as Seraphine goes, I've chalked it up to hormones. No reason to have both of them on my case about my knickers being in a knot over Cash Carson.

I mean, Lord have mercy, who does he think he is, flirting with me and kissing me like that when he's not really interested? Men are nothing but jerks, all of them.

Though, if I’m honest, it’s all too easy to get caught up in him. With the way he says all the right things—you know, aside from apologizing after our kiss—and the feel of his strong arms around me, with his lips hot on mine and his all-male scent swirling around me like a haze. It’s a lethal combination, one that had those foolish thoughts of mine flaring right back to life.

Well, no thank you. I’m gonna stick those thoughts right back up on the shelf, where they belong. He made me feel like a damnfool after our kiss, cementing the fact that those feelings were clearly one-sided.

"Myla Rose McGraw.”The nurse calls my name.

Gathering up my purse, I head over to where she’s waiting. “Yes, ma’am, that’s me.”

“How are you today, dear?” she inquires as she escorts me to the ultrasound room.

“I’m doin’ fine—excited for this appointment!”

“I bet you are. Go ahead and hop up on the table and lift your top. The ultrasound tech should be joining us any minute.”

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