Page 103 of Protect Home
“Pretty remarkable, huh?” I ask him before directing my words to our son. “That’s your daddy, little guy. He talks a big game, but he’s got a weak spot for you and me. We’re in good hands.”
My bright smile finds August, and seeing him completely immersed in this moment has my heart stirring with overwhelming happiness, and my stomach soaring with endless possibilities.
“I’ll always protect you, buddy. You and your beautiful mama. Pretty sure that’s what I was born to do.”
“To protect home,” I whisper. “It’s our calling.”
“Yeah, pretty girl. It is.”
37
AUGUST
“I think this calls for a drumroll,” Tenley shouts, a teasingly charming grin crossing her face. She’s cute when she acts wicked, but I have a feeling I’m not going to enjoy this.
“Time for the big reveal,” Briggs bellows, rubbing his hands together in anticipation, and following behind Tenley as she walks to the center of Cal’s living room.
“Awooga. Awoooga,” King howls like an uncaged primate.
“How about everyone shut up and let Tenley show us? K? Good talk,” Navy bites out, shooing away the guys.
I have no idea what’s happening right now, but if the flipped open magazine in Tenley’s hands is any indicator, my guess is it’s the Calvin Klein ad. “Shit,” I huff.
“Shit is right, my friend. Because look at the glow on those pecks,” King barks out, falling into hysterical laughter. “What’d they do, pour a gallon of baby oil on you and call it a day?”
“Basically, yeah,” Kodi sighs.
“Aye. Briggs was in the same boat. If you saw thenumber of zeros on that check, you’d keep your mouth shut too, man,” I tell him.
“Bunch of impatient animals.” Kodi shakes her head in disbelief.
“It’s because they aren’t locked down, Angel,” Callaway says to his wife. “Gotta wait till they’re caged and trained. Then, they start acting right.”
Kodi laughs, and we all direct our attention to the alluring woman before us. Tenley stands tall in confidence. She may be carrying a nearly fully cooked human, but she remains sure of herself as ever. She’s gotten to the stage of pregnancy where the weeks are dwindling down, and so are the clothes that fit her comfortably. I offered to send a stylist to the condo for her to have some clothes picked out, but to no surprise, she declined.
I did what I always do and did it anyway.
Now, thanks to me, Tenley has a wardrobe of over fifty overalls in all different sizes. Enough to last for the rest of her pregnancy, through recovery, and the months following postpartum.
Fuck. I can’t believe how close it’s getting.
We’re gonna be parents in just a few weeks.
Feels wild.
“If I can have your attention, please,” Tenley’s voice rises, settling down our group. She clears her throat and continues the dramatics. “We are gathered here today?—”
“Shit. I forgot to wear black,” Mack cuts in, never having much to say until the worst possible time.
“Ah! Zip it, Mack daddy. My turn to talk,” Tenley shuts him down quickly.
“Yo, she’s pregnant, man. She’ll beat your ass,” King warns Mack as if he doesn’t already know that and I chuckle.
“Like I was saying,” Tenley continues in a serious voice, “We are gathered here today to celebrate the ad of the century. The moment two of our most arrogant and challenging male friends became men. Now, there will be no laughing or photography permitted during this viewing. I ask that you respect the wishes of the male models and give them a second to process this monumental moment.” She sways her arm to the side, signaling everyone to join her. “Please, come form a single file line and we will begin our viewing ceremony.”
My girl might have a talent for funeral directing. That was the best damn monotone voice I’ve ever heard.
“Creepy, Ten. Really creepy,” Navy snarls, causing everyone to laugh, but oddly enough, we comply.
