Back Road Chances (Roughneck #2) (9 page)

Chapter 14

Moon

My eyes fluttered open, but it was still dark outside. I glanced over at the digital clock on Sam’s nightstand. It was only 4 a.m. Sam didn’t have to get up for work for another 2 hours. I’m surprised she was sleeping, but I think her body just gave out. She tossed and turned most of the night. Her body was tense and I kept hearing her sniffle, and I knew she probably finally cried herself to sleep. I gave her space, not physical space because I kept my arm draped across her all night. But I tried to let her process this in silence; I knew that’s what she wanted. But I still couldn’t help the grin that crept across my face. She was going to have a baby. My baby. That made me a happy mother fucker. She was just scared right now, but I knew she would be ok. Sam was the toughest person I’ve ever met; she would do just fine. She was just letting her worries get the best of her. But I knew in my gut that she would be a great mom. I just prayed she didn’t do anything crazy before she realized it. I couldn’t even imagine her getting an abortion. She didn’t say the word, but I knew she was thinking it.  But I knew Sam, she couldn’t do it. She wouldn’t. Not if she actually gave herself the chance to think this through. I needed to get her away for a few days. I slid out of bed and grabbed my phone out of my jeans on the floor. I walked as lightly as I could to the bedroom door. It wasn’t quiet enough for Patch, though, because I heard him prance right behind me. Once I had the bedroom door closed behind me, I let him out into the backyard and walked over to the coffee pot while I dialed my dad’s number. He was awake every morning at this time so I knew it would be ok.

“Damn, boy, you turning into your old man, waking up so early,” he said when he picked up.

“Mornin, dad.” I said quietly.

“Mornin, son.” he replied.

“Hey, is there anyone using the lake house this weekend?” I asked. My dad and his brothers all went in together a few years ago and bought a cabin on the lake. They took turns using it with their own families, or sometimes the brothers would go fishing for the weekend. I hoped there wasn’t a plan for this weekend.

“Nope. All the men went out last weekend, so it’s empty. Ya need it?” He asked.

“Yeah, I was thinking of taking Sam there for the weekend.” I said. I knew Sam would kill me if I told him the reason right now.

“It’s a nice spot. Are you gonna propose?” he said with a chuckle.

“No, sir. Not yet. Just a little getaway.” I laughed.

“Alright, well your momma thinks you need to get on the stick boy,” he said.

“I know dad, she told me.” I laughed.

“You still got the key I gave you?” he asked.

“Yes, sir.” I said.

“Alright, well y’all have fun.”

“Thanks, Dad. Love ya.”

“Love you too, son.”

I hung up the phone and felt a sense of relief. I knew she just needed time. A couple of days at the lake would do us both some good.  This would work out, I just knew it. It had to.

Around 6, I made Sam a cup of coffee and took it to her. I knew coffee was necessary for her in the mornings. I worried about her drinking it while she was pregnant, but figured that was the least of our worries right now.

“Mornin,” I said, as I walked into the bedroom and looked over at her. She was awake, those big blue eyes full of fear first thing this morning. I just wished she would realize that this was a good thing. It wasn’t the end of the fucking world. But I didn’t want to make things worse for her, so I put on a smile and handed her the cup.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, and took the cup from me.

“This is your Friday for a half day isn’t it?” I asked.

Sam just nodded her head.

“Go ahead and pack a bag before work, we’re getting out of town this weekend.” I said.

“Where are we going?” she asked. Her voice sounded hoarse and her eyes were swollen from crying so much. It put a knot in my stomach seeing her this way.

“The lake house. It’s quiet and peaceful. Just the two of us.” Three of us actually. I smiled as I sat on the bed next to her.

“Ok,” she said quietly, before she took a sip of her coffee. She stared off into space before clearing her throat.

“If I do this,” I knew what she meant by
this.
“What will your parents think of me?”

I was shocked that she even worried about that. The truth is my parents had probably been expecting me to get a girl pregnant since I was in high school. I didn’t have the best track record back then. And now that my life had revolved around Sam for so many years, they were ready for marriage and babies. In fact, my momma was determined and insisted on it. Constantly. But I didn’t think Sam was ready to hear that. But the fact that last night she said “I can’t,” and this morning she used the word “if,” felt like a boulder had been lifted off my shoulders.

“Darlin, we’re grown. My parents love you, they’ll be excited,” I said, as I squeezed her shoulder. I didn’t want to bring up the fact that I was a little worried about Joe. He might just beat my ass for knocking up his Angel. I would cross that bridge when I came to it, though.

We walked into the lake house late Friday afternoon. I walked Patch to the fenced-in backyard that my dad had built to keep the grandkids contained.  I threw our bags on the floor next to the front door and scooped Sam into my arms. She hardly said anything the whole way here. I needed her to relax. She immediately wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her face into me. I walked into the master bedroom and gently put her on the bed. I wanted to be tender with her. I wanted to caress her and kiss every part of her body. Don’t get me wrong, the fire I felt for her still burned. Sweet and gentle wasn’t our style. It never had been. Most of the time I was demanding and had to be in charge of everything. I needed it.  But tonight I needed it to be different. I wanted to make love to her. I crawled on top of her, gently, not wanting to put all my weight on her. I started to kiss her neck.

“So beautiful,” I whispered, as I ran my hand down her side with one finger. I cupped her cheek with my hand and touched my lips lightly to hers.

“Moon,” Sam said, and then put both of her hands on the sides of my face and looked into my eyes.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“This. Don’t treat me like I’m going to break. That’s the last thing I need right now. I like the way we are together; I need that Moon,” she said, as she put both of her hands in my hair and gave it a tug.

“I know you won’t break. And I’m not changing anything. Trust me, you will be told what to do,” I said, as I kissed her neck. “And spanked,” I said, as I ran my tongue down her jaw line. “And fucked out of your mind. Hard,” I said, as I kissed her ear.

“But tonight,” I whispered to her. “Let me love you,” I said, and then I put my lips against hers and slid my tongue into her mouth.

“Ok.” Sam whispered and ran her nails down my back.

“I love you,” I said against her mouth.

“I love you, Moon,” she said, and then kissed me gently.

The next morning we were sitting out on the dock. Patch was sleeping, soaking up the morning sun and Sam was staring out into the water, watching her bobber intently.

“I’m scared.” Sam said out of the blue, after a long stretch of silence between us.

“I know,” I said “But I’m right here with you, I promise,” I told her. And it was the honest truth. I wasn’t leaving her, ever.

“I’ve been trying to fucking wrap my head around this, and I’m scared I can’t do it,” she said, still staring into the water.

“I think you can.” I said. I believed Sam could do anything she set her mind to. I knew where this was coming from.

“She couldn’t.” Sam said. And there it was. That was what it all boiled down to. I hated that woman for fucking with her life like this.

“Look, I don’t remember her. But I know what kind of dad Joe is. And you’re so much like him. I think you have so much of him in you; nothing else could stand up to it. So you need to stop worrying about being like her, and be thankful for how much you’re like him. And as much as you love your dad, I can promise you that he loves you even more. I’m sure he was scared shitless when she took off and left y’all, but you’re his angel and he would do anything he could for you. And I have no doubt in my mind that you’ll be the same kind of parent. And you won’t be alone. I’m not going anywhere; you should know that by now.” I said, hoping to get my point across.

“I do know that,” she said, and scooted closer to me, so our thighs were touching.

“Damn right you do,” I said, as I put my arm around her neck and kissed the top of her head.

“I don’t think I could even go through with an abortion,” she said with tears in her eyes again.

“Thank Fuck!” I said with a loud exhale. The thought of that happening made my stomach curl into knots. I couldn’t even let my mind dwell on it without feeling the need to fucking puke.

Sam just gave me a weak smile and put her head on my shoulder.

I felt the vibration of Sam’s phone in her pocket as she pulled it out.

“It’s Lainey. I’ll text her and tell her we went away for the weekend. She knows something’s going on. She asked me three times at work yesterday if I was ok. I’m not ready to tell her just yet.”

“You haven’t told her?” I asked. I was surprised, those two were so close.

“No, not with Emma coming in a few weeks. She would think I was a horrible person if I told her how I’m feeling,” Sam said quietly.

“No she wouldn’t, Sam,” I said as I rubbed her back. But I understood where she was coming from. Lainey was so excited about the baby; I don’t think she was ever worried about being a mom.  She probably wouldn’t understand the way Sam was struggling.

Sam kept looking at the water as she was trying to text.

“Staring at the bobber ain’t gonna make that fish jump on it. I’m catching the first one.” I said with a laugh. My woman had a mean competitive streak in her.

“We’ll see, fucker,” she said with a smile, as she stared at the bobber, willing it to move. Yeah, this weekend was definitely what she needed.

Chapter 15

Sam

I couldn’t help but watch him sleeping. He seemed so peaceful, like he didn’t have a care in the world. I envied that about him. He saw the good in everything, the good in me. He believed I could do this, that we could do it together. Maybe he was right. I knew he wasn’t going to leave me. He had proven it. And he was also right about who I was. I was Joe Montgomery’s daughter. I could do this. My dad was strong for me when his world fell apart. I could be strong for my baby when I didn’t have a clue what the hell I was doing. My baby. Our baby. A blend of the both of us. Lord help us.

The sun was peeking through the window. I loved Sunday mornings. It had been a week since our trip to the lake house. I needed that weekend. It put so much in perspective. Moon showed me once again that he knew what I needed. God, I was so thankful for that man. I had spent the last week thinking about our future. We were going to be a family. I hadn’t exactly said those words out loud. Hell, I hadn’t even told Moon yet that I was ok with all this. But I think I was. I was going to be ok. I was going to be a mom. Holy Shit.

Moon started to stir as the sun was rising, enough to shine in his eyes. I should probably put up some black out curtains so he could sleep in on his days off when we stayed at my house.  The way he squinted made me kiss his eyelids without even thinking.

“Mmmm…” he said. “Mornin darlin.” He whispered in his sexy morning voice.

“Mornin,” I said, as I ran my fingers through his hair.

“How ya feelin?” he asked with his eyes still closed.  I had a couple of bouts of morning sickness but I felt good this morning. In every way, I felt good.

“Good.” I said with a smile.

“Are you really ready to be a dad?” I asked him.

“Hell yeah,” he said with that cocky little smile, as he opened one eye.

“I think I can do this.” I said with as much confidence as I could muster.

“Yeah?” Moon said, and popped both eyes open as he propped himself up on his elbow. He had a huge grin on his face.

“Yeah.” I said with a smile.

Moon grabbed me around the waist and flipped me on my back, hovering over me.

“You’re gonna be the best mom.” he said, and kissed my nose.

“You think so?” I said, and I couldn’t help but smile at his confidence in me. Hopefully some of it would rub off on me in the next few months.

“Oh yeah,” he said, and reached inside my panties. “Not to mention, the sexiest fucking mom around.”

“Fiend,” I said with a giggle, as I spread my legs open for him.

“Only for you, baby” He said, as he lowered his head and pulled my panties off.

Damn it. It was the day I dreaded every fucking month. I sat on Moon’s bed, watching him pack.  I was sick to my stomach. It wasn’t the pregnancy; it was watching him get ready to leave. He had to head out soon. He always waited until the last minute to pack.

“Are you going to make an appointment to see the doctor?” Moon asked, as he shoved his shaving kit in his bag.

“Yeah, I’ll call them in the morning.” I said.

“I wanna go with you, if it’s ok to wait that long.” he said, but there was worry in his voice.

“Yeah, I’m sure it’s fine.” I said with a laugh. He was already completely protective. I hated to admit how much I loved it.

“Make sure you get plenty of rest while I’m gone. Make him wear his leash,” Moon said, as he pointed to Patch, asleep on his bed in the corner. “Don’t try to pick his big ass up anymore.”

“Cross my heart,” I said, as I put a cross over my heart. Moon just laughed as he walked over to where I was sitting on the bed. He crouched down in front of me and put both hands on my stomach.

“You be good for your momma.” Moon whispered to my stomach and then kissed it. My eyes welled up with tears. He was too perfect. I fucking loved this man.

And then Just Fishin’ by Trace Adkins started playing. My dad’s ringtone. It kind of ruined the moment we were having, but I knew I needed to answer it. I kissed Moon on the forehead before I answered. He started to stand back up, but I grabbed his hand to keep him in place. He pulled my hand to his lips and kissed each of my fingers one by one. When he did little things like that, it almost made my heart jump out of my chest. I loved him so much.

“Hey dad.” I said when I answered.

“Hey Angel, you busy?” he asked.

“No.” I lied. “What’s up?”

“Is Moon still there? I know he’s leaving today, I don’t wanna keep you if he is.” he said. My dad knew how precious time was when you lived the oilfield life.

“He’s here. Is everything ok?” I asked. For a split second, I thought he knew I was pregnant. But then remembered that no one except Moon knew yet. And I know that Moon sure as hell wasn’t telling him without me. I really needed to tell him. I wasn’t worried; I was just waiting for the right time.

“I got a favor, angel.” he said.

“A favor? You going to jail daddy?” I asked. My dad never asked for anything.

“Not today.” he said with a laugh.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“Kash got himself into a little trouble and needs a place to stay for a while.”

“Dad...” I interrupted. Kash was my cousin, and I couldn’t fucking stand him. He was a whore who slept with everything he got his hands on, and then became a complete dick right after. I had watched him break hearts my whole life. For years I felt sorry for the girls, for the way he treated them. But they always came back for more. He couldn’t beat them off with a stick. So then I just figured it was their own stupidity for not learning their lesson. I couldn’t figure out what the attraction to him was. It was eerie the way women flocked to him like a fucking magnet. I guess if I didn’t know what a prick he was and just saw him for the first time, I might think he was decent, but I don’t know. To me, he was still the same little punk that used to fart in a can and try and force me to sniff it. He was the first boy I ever kneed in the balls. I should have racked him harder though, put that thing out of commission. It might have saved a bunch of poor girls from broken hearts.

“Sam listen, I know you’re not his biggest fan.” Dad said with a laugh.

“Oh daddy, that’s putting it nicely,” I said, as I made a motion to Moon like I was shooting myself in the head. Moon just laughed and looked confused.

“It won’t be for too long. Besides his rig picked back up so he will be gone most of the time.”

“What did he do this time?” I asked. There was no telling with Kash. Trouble seemed to follow him anywhere.

“He got caught with a married woman.” Dad said.

“He’s such a slut.” I said, and Moon nodded. He knew exactly who I was talking about.

“That’s not the worst part,” Dad continued as he laughed. “It was the sheriff’s wife in that little bitty town. He has to get out of there quick.”

“What a dumbass.” I said, and couldn’t help but laugh a little.

“Hey, I never said he had any sense. But he’s family and he needs a place.”

“Shit.” I mumbled. “Ok. But I won’t be nice.”

“He would worry if you were.” Dad said still laughing.

“Ugh,” I groaned.

“Alright, sweetie. I’ll let ya go. Kash will be there in a few days.”

“Looking forward to it.” I said sarcastically.

“Love you.”

“Love you too, dad.”

I hung up the phone and threw it on the bed.

“Kash?” Moon asked.

“He needs a place to stay because he’s a whore who slept with the sheriff’s wife.” I said.

“He ain’t that bad,” Moon said with a laugh. “Just come stay over here if he gets on your nerves too bad.”

“I might as well go ahead and move in.” I said.

“Come on, then,” Moon said and kissed me. “I’m ready when you are.”

I just laughed and wrapped my arms around him.  I had to take this one life changing decision at a time.

When Moon left, I headed straight to Lainey’s. I wasn’t in the mood to be alone. I needed Lainey and I was finally ready to tell her about the baby. I also needed to warn her that Kash was coming to town. Poor Lainey was one of his victims back in high school. Luckily she only made the mistake once. Kash didn’t treat her like shit afterwards like the others, though. He just left town and never called her. For the most part I could ignore it when he did it to random bitches, but when he made my best friend cry, that was it for me. Once she finally moved on, I made sure to warn him if he even looked at her again I would cut his dick off in his sleep. He didn’t really want to take the chance that I was bluffing. Maybe he wasn’t as stupid as I thought.

When I drove down Lainey’s long winding driveway, I noticed her sitting on the front porch. I knew Jase had left already so she was alone. I was so thankful that both of our men were on the same hitch. It made this whole lifestyle a lot easier to tolerate. I can’t imagine not having Lainey while Moon was working.

“Hey, momma.” I said when I got out of my car.

“Sit,” she said, as she pointed to the rocking chair next to hers.

“Ok, damn.” I said with a giggle.

“Spill it,” she said. Shit, she didn’t even give me time to gather my thoughts.

“Fuck, you’re kind of a mean pregnant woman.” I laughed.

“I’m tired of you giving me the run around. Something’s going on with you and you’re gonna tell me right now.” Well, damn.

“Fine. You want the good news or the bad news?” Although I still wasn’t completely convinced one of these was good news. I was getting there, though.

“Oh my God, shit. Ok, give me the bad news first,” she said, as she rubbed her belly.

“Kash is coming to town,” I said and looked at her, watching her facial expression.

“Kash Bennett?” She said with those blue eyes wide.

“The one and only,” I said, as I pretended to stick my finger down my throat.

“Ugh.” She groaned.

“Exactly. You’re not gonna tell Jase, are you?” I said with a laugh I couldn’t contain.

“About high school? I mean, I have to. I tell Jase everything. Shit. Maybe he won’t kill him?” She said with a worried look.

All I could do was laugh. Jase loved Lainey with a fierceness you didn’t see very often. He wanted to protect her from everything. He was also a jealous mother fucker and I’d seen his crazy in action. Ol’ Kash better walk the chalk.

“Ok, so what’s the good news?” She asked, Kash leaving her mind just as quick as he came. Here we go.

“I’m pregnant.” I blurted out.

“Shut up,” she said with a laugh “No you’re not.”

I looked at her with complete seriousness.

“Holy shit! You are!” She said, and started clapping her hands with a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

“Yep.” I said quietly.

“You’re freaking out?” She said with a sad look, her giddiness gone.

“A little.” I lied. It wasn’t a little; I was scared to fucking death.

“Sam, you can do this! We can do this together! Oh my Gosh! Our kids are gonna grow up together!” she said, with that shit eating grin back in place. I hadn’t even thought about that. Our kids would grow up together. If I had a girl, they would get into trouble together. Oh, man. If I had a boy…damn, I couldn’t even go there. This baby would be a combination of Moon and I. Oh my god, this baby was destined to give me hell.

“I’m really scared.” I admitted.

“Of course you are! Sweetie, that’s normal.” She said with a laugh.

“You’re not scared.” I said and stared at her.

“Are you kidding me? I’m scared to death, every day, about something different. I’ve read enough books to realize that fear and parenting go hand in hand.” Lainey had a pregnancy book near her at all times.

“Really?” I asked.

“Hell yeah,” she said, and squeezed my hand. “I’m so excited!” She squealed again, and the clapping commenced.

And maybe I was, too. For the very first time, I think I was a little excited.