Reeve (The Phoenix Boys #3) (3 page)

“Hello, cousin. I can’t wait to meet you.” We all sigh at the sweetness that this darling little girl brings. “I want to name you Rainbow. Because it starts with an R just like Uncle Rafe and Uncle Reeve and my daddy who is called Ryder, but you already know that because he will be your uncle too. But my Mama and Daddy said no and that that Uncle Rafe and Auntie Lucy has to name you. No fair I say.” She kisses her belly and turns to me with a big smile on her face.

“I want a Welsh hug, Miss Leah. I want a cwtch,” she states proudly. I have been teaching Demi some Welsh words and she is loving it. Ryder and Letty think it a good thing that she is learning a second language, even though she won’t use it much over here. I bend down and pick her up in my arms and give her a big cwtch.

“Bore da, Demi, how are you this morning?” I ask her.

“Bore da, Miss Leah. I am good, I want a new dolly but Mama said that I have to behave myself first.” She whispers the last part.

“What in the world did you just say to each other? Bored-a-what?” Maisey asks and I wink at Demi.

“We said ‘Good morning’ to each other in Welsh. Demi has been learning a few words and sentences from me in Welsh. We have been having fun, haven't we girly?” I ask Demi, who nods with a big toothy grin. I set her down and we make our way over to the baby shop. We all split up and go in different directions, seeking out different baby items. I see a tiny baby outfit and chuckle to myself, remembering when my sister-in-law Jade was pregnant with Peyton, my oldest niece.

I walk around and look at all these tiny baby clothes and think, will I ever have this? The last three boyfriends have cheated on me, making me think that maybe I am just not enough for the guys I fall for. I know that I come across as a bitch from time to time but that is just my defensive wall going up. I don’t think I can risk getting hurt again. I didn’t care that much for the first two boyfriends that cheated but Marc had wormed his way into my heart a little and it stung more that I would have liked when he cheated. Why can't men just break off a relationship if he isn't happy anymore and then sleep with someone else? I really don't see why or how a human can willingly hurt the one person they claim to love. It makes no sense to me, I would never cheat and I don’t tolerate it either; I didn’t with Marc or the others.

I see a young couple holding hands while talking to a member of staff about a pram; she looks about ready to pop if you ask me. They look so happy, I can’t stop my nose from stinging, which causes the tears to appear. Bollocks. I turn away and take deep breaths before walking around to find the girls. I see Lucy and Letty looking at cribs and I make my way over.

“See anything you like?” I ask as I reach them.

“Nope. God, Rafe is gonna freak if I don’t pick something soon, Baby Phoenix will be here before we know it and he or she won’t have anywhere to sleep. Damn it.” I see the frustration coming off her in waves; she wants everything to be so perfect for when the baby arrives that she over thinks every single detail. I remember Jade being like that.

“Juicy, the baby won’t care what he sleeps in, that is all on you. Just pick a crib or I will do it for you,” I smirk at her. Letty laughs.

“She will do it and you know it, Luce,” Letty says, pointing at me.

“Hell yeah, I will. Girl, you don’t have much time left, just pick one,” I say.

Kenzi comes bounding over to us like a freaking five year old in a toy shop. She is carrying two baby outfits, one pink and one blue, God she is relentless. She is determined to find out the baby’s sex. I am sticking with a boy but that’s just my opinion on the matter.

“Just pick one. Rafe won’t know you told us.” She lowers her voice, “Just look at a suit and blink, then only I will know” We all laugh at her attempts. “Damn it, Coop, you don't play fair. I thought you loved me, I am going to be an auntie to that beautiful baby, and I deserve to know if it’s a boy or girl.” Lucy folds her arms and rests them on her baby bump. I can tell that she isn't going to let it slip; her mouth is as tight as Fort Knox with this secret.

“Nope,” is all she says and walks over to a staff member. Thank the lord that she is finally picking out a crib. She decides on a perfect white crib that has what looks like a tree of life carved into the end panel. It’s simply beautiful and ties in with big family that is the Phoenix family with lots of extras.

We finally finish the baby shopping and grab some food. Thank God because I am starving and my belly is rumbling, which makes Demi laugh. We settle on a small restaurant that Kenzie loves eating at; she explains that Zach brings her here on date nights. We sit at a window table which has the windows pulled fully open so just a few frames are in place. We get to eat, chat and people watch. We place our orders and the hair stands on the back of my neck; I feel him before I see him. Reeve is here.

“Well, what do we have here? All my favorite ladies in one place. What have you lovely ladies been up to today?” He asks as he leans in and kisses the top of Lucy and Letty’s head before turning to Demi, who launches herself at him. Everyone laughs but I study my menu and try to force myself to not look at him, but I am a weak when it comes to him and I sneak a glance. He is talking to Demi in his arms and she is telling him about our day. He is wearing faded grey jeans with a black tight as shit t-shirt with black Converse. His aviator glasses hang from his jeans pocket; shit, he looks edible as always. He lifts his head so I turn my eyes back to the menu in my slightly shaking hands. I feel Reeve move around the table and he places his hands on my shoulders. I tense from the contact but he just grips me tighter, massaging my shoulders with his thumbs. The girls are looking at their menus, not taking note of Reeve and me. I feel his warm breath on my neck as he leans down to speak in my ear.

“Why are you avoiding me, Lipsy? I haven’t seen you in a few days; why?” Is he for fucking real? I stand up, forcing him to take a step back.

“I need to go to the restroom, I will be right back. Order me the lasagna with a salad please, Luce.” I walk away from the table, taking deep breaths while I make my way up the stairs. I enter the ladies’ bathroom when I feel Reeve behind me. Pushing me into a stall, he locks the door and turns to me. We stare at each other for a few minutes, neither of us saying anything; just the sound of our breathing fills the room. He steps closer, bringing us nearly chest to chest, which doesn’t take much since where we are currently standing.

“You owe me an answer?” Bugger.

“Reeve, you know why. The night at Max Point scared me but instead of understanding, you turned into a cold bastard. You made me feel used, Reeve. Do you know how that feels? No, you don’t, because Reeve fucking Phoenix gets whatever the hell he wants, when he wants it. You don’t know the meaning of ‘No’ do you? What it feels like to feel used and thrown aside like you are nothing. I can tell you now Reeve it feels like shit, it makes me feel like I am not worthy of that person every time it happens. So the best thing that you could do is stay away from me, because you, Reeve, have the utmost ability to gut me and leave me the shittiest I will ever feel.” I take a deep breath and look to the floor; I don’t want to see the pity in his eyes. I don’t need it; I have enough in me to last a lifetime.

“Who hurt you, Lipsy? Before you came here to LA? I will hurt the fucker who has hurt you, babe.”

“Leave it, Reeve there isn’t anything you can do, so please just let me out so we can go back to avoiding each other; it’s for the best and you know it.” He just stares at me, not moving not saying anything, for how long I don’t know as I am lost in his beautiful green eyes. I reach around him for the lock and push him out of the way so I can leave but he stops me by touching my arm. I look up and I see sadness in his eyes.

“I’m sorry that you have been made to feel all of that, Leah. But you are right, we should stay away from each other ... for now.” Even though it is what I wanted it still feels like someone had kicked me in the stomach and shit, it hurts. I can’t speak from the hurt that is clogging my throat so I nod and open the door and leave Reeve standing there. I get back to the table and the girls go quiet I’m pretty sure it’s the look on my face that has them not asking questions, which I am thankful for.

Chapter 3

Reeve

I follow Rafe and Ryder out to the stage at Max Point, don’t get me wrong I love performing here but fuck I wish we were somewhere bigger. The girls scream when they see my brothers walk onto the stage and I smile to myself God I love this feeling. We weren't supposed to be performing tonight but the band that Max booked phoned to say that there lead singer fell ill with food poisoning so here we are again. I stand at the mic and wink to a very hot blond standing in front of me. Tits galore

“Evening, all you beautiful people. How you all doing tonight? I’m fucking peachy how about you babe?” I say to the sexy blond in front of me, she smirks at me and I quickly look around for Skeet. I spot him at the bar with the girls and thank fuck I do, I need to try and fuck Lipsy out of my head. It’s obvious that she doesn’t want anything to do with me because she has been hurt before and I know that it’s just a matter of time that I hurt her and my chest aches at just the thought, but I push the feeling down. I don’t see Lipsy at the bar with everyone else I scan the place but don’t see her, perhaps she decided not to come tonight which is a weight of my shoulders.

Ryder starts a beat with his drums and it pulls me back to the crowd, we are doing a few cover tonight since it’s not a normal gig for us. We start with an amazing classic and a huge favorite of ours Primal Scream’s ‘Rocks’ this band is the shit. Ryder’s beat and Rafe’s bass travels through my body, joining us in the beats. This is what our dad wanted. I interact with the crowd which is mostly women but hey we are Inside Noise and we attract the best fans. We move from song to song and I lose myself in the music and the crowd, so much that I don’t even notice that Lipsy has arrived until I see her dancing with some guy who is to fucking close for my liking. I turn and nod at the brothers indicating I want a break. I need a drink and maybe a very hot blond to help me out.

“We are taking a little break and will be back soon. I think my brothers have been away from their women long enough for now, they need their love fix”

“I have your fix right here, Reeve” The hot blond says, I smile and wink at her and jump off the stage, I don’t let her speak as I wrap my arm around her shoulders and drag her to the bar where Leah and that dick is now sitting. She is standing between his legs and he has one arm around her waist. Fuck I want to punch his face in but I remember what I told Leah so I can’t really do shit about it. I haven’t claimed her as mine. I stand as close to Leah and the dick as I can and start to kiss the blond in front of everyone.

I know I am being a dick but I can’t stop myself, I need to get her out of my head, she is opening up too many feelings that I am not sure I want feel, I know I will hurt her, damn it. So why the fuck does it feel like shit to see her being touched by another dude? Not only that but while I am sucking face with a random girl. This is fucked up. Sliding my tongue into the blond’s mouth I keep my eyes on Lipsy, I am moving my mouth like I am in autopilot, I’m not even getting turned on by her. As if Lipsy can sense me, she turns her body to face Juicy, but I can tell she is doing that as a way to see what I am doing.

Our eyes lock and I see her body stiffen. I put more of an effort into the kiss and I run my hand down and cup the blond’s ass just for added effect. Leah follows my movements then looks back at my face, her eyes are screaming that she is hurting by my actions and that causes my chest to tighten. But this is what we both wanted; we both said it’s for the best. So why the fuck do I feel like shit for causing the pain in her eyes? I break the kiss but nuzzle the girl’s neck, still keeping my eyes on Lipsy. Something sparks in her eyes and she turns to the guy she was just talking to, she whispers in his ear and a huge as smile creeps across his fugly face. I do not like that look on this fuckers face.

Leah grips the guys hand and pulls him past me towards the dance floor. Fuck she is going to be rubbing herself all over that guy and there is nothing I can do about it. Shit. Well my darling Lipsy, two can play at that game. I pull the blond towards the dance and see Lipsy and the fucknut dancing and rubbing up against each other. He has his hands on her hips and I notice that every time he moves them down to her sexy ass, Leah pulls them back up. I can see that she is only using the guy to piss me off because that’s what I am doing to her. Cat and mouse.

The blond girl, whose name I still do not know starts grinding her ass on my dick, which still doesn’t want to react. Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. I make sure that we are in a position where I can see Lipsy. The songs changes to a more upbeat song but that doesn’t stop people bumping and grinding, it especially doesn’t stop the douche from trying to grope Lipsy’s ass. She pushes him away and I can see how pissed she is getting, she doesn’t like the fact that he is getting too handsy. Hell, I’m getting pissed how handsy he is getting. Leah glances over to me and then I see her shift her line of sight to behind me and I turn my head to see what she is looking at, as I turn I see Skeet with his tongue down a girls throat, shit is she jealous of Skeet? Fuck I didn’t think of that, does she like him but not me? I turn back to Leah and she is pushing the guy off her again, it makes me see red.

“Skeet, move,” I shout over the music and make my way over to Lipsy; Skeet is by my side by the time I reach Leah.