Damaged and the Outlaw (Damaged #4)

“Choices?”


“Some guys want to bang chicks every night. Then one day, they get smacked upside the head by the perfect girl. Some guys want to wake up next to the perfect woman every morning. Vaughn isn’t the first type of guy, no matter how many chicks he fucks or how much he mouths off. He’s an outlaw, so he acts like one. I know he really wants a home.”

“I’m not looking for a man. Not one in my bed every night.”

Aaron’s smile widened. “Lark and I were laughing at you last night for saying that shit.”

“Fuck you.”

Laughing now, Aaron walked inside the house. “Fuck you too, Raven.”

The dogs followed their man and I decided I best get my day started. Inside, Lark was in the kitchen, holding onto the counter like she might fall without its help. I cuddled up behind her and nuzzled her wild hair.

“How is the baby oven feeling today?” I asked, rubbing her little bump.

“Like fresh corn filled shit.”

“Yummy. Thanks for the visual. I think you ought to let Aaron pamper you. He really likes to. It’s a man thing. Do it for his precious balls and their giant egos.”

Lark turned around and hugged me. “He loves me so much. I want that for you.”

“Is this your way of offering a polygamy setup because I’m going to have to say no. I’m too selfish to share.”

Lark’s smile faded. “No way am I sharing him. I’d kill you first.”

“With what?” I said, sharing her fake glare. “Your munchkin hands.”

“Didn’t you ever see Chucky? Little things can be deadly.”

“You do have his hair.”

Lark flinched. “It is that bad?”

“Don’t be a dork. You look great. Glowing even.” As tears filled her eyes, I panicked. “Seriously, you look awesome. Better than ever. I’m jealous of how hot you are.”

“You should be,” she said, giving me a wink. “Little things can also cry on cue.”

“I’ll let that go because you’re crying for three these days. As soon as you poop them babies out, it’s on, little girl.”

“Whatever,” she said, sitting down with her coffee as Aaron returned wearing a shirt for once. “I’ll just beat you with my Barney slippers.”

“Cat fight,” Aaron muttered. “I should sell tickets.”

“Speaking of cat fights, I have one tomorrow night. I’m free tonight though.”

“What about Vaughn?” Lark asked, sipping her coffee.

“What about him?”

“He mocked my slippers and you said you would punish him. Did you lie? Is that your thing now? Lying to your little sister and getting her hopes up.”

“Oh, yeah, I do need to punish him for that, don’t I?” I said, sighing while thinking of Vaughn over my knee. “Will you be angry if I reward him afterwards? I mean, I believe in both positive and negative reinforcements.”

When a laughing Lark glanced at Aaron, I suspected his shirt was coming off soon. Apparently, she wanted to reward him for wandering around the house silently. Marriage was all about give and take.

After Bailey picked me up, we spent the morning running errands. A little grocery shopping later, we stopped by her mom’s bar to pick up my jeep then headed to the house. Sawyer was still sleeping, having worn herself out the night before. She finally staggered out of bed around lunch like a wasted teenager. Even knowing it was wrong to laugh at her, I couldn’t help myself.

Bailey wanted to hang out together later, but Jodi said friends were coming over.

“You haven’t seen Skye since school,” Jodi said, lighting a cigarette and making me drool.

“Who?” Bailey muttered.

“Skye Goldstein.”

“Not ringing any bells.”

“She didn’t show the day we were looking for dresses for Farah’s wedding and you chased her down and made her cry.”

“Ah, yes,” Bailey said, smiling at me.

“Well, behave while her parents are here.”

“Why?”

“They think you’re friends. I would hate to be the one who tells them their daughter sucks.”

“I can tell them for you.”

“No. Pop doesn’t want drama.”

“So I have to be nice to someone I hate? Isn’t lying wrong?”

Jodi rolled her eyes and stirred something that smelled good.

“I don’t want to be nice,” Bailey whined. “Honesty is my new thing.”

“Lying was your new thing last week,” Jodi said.

Leaning down, I whispered to Bailey, “Just be nice when people are looking then treat her like shit when they’re looking away. That way when she cries, you can be the normal one next to the crybaby.”

Bailey grinned. “That’ll actually work since I lied when I said honesty was my new thing. It’s never been my thing. If I ever say it is, I’m lying.”

“Honesty is for suckers,” I said, grabbing my keys. “Well, I’ll leave you to your guests.”

“No more hickeys. It makes you look trashy and I’m not lying when I say that.”

Before disappearing around the corner, I smiled softly. “I promise no more hickeys.”