Forever Her Cowboy (Always 1)

“She’s gonna die when she sees the kitchen.” Mom smiles proudly at me.

“The plan is to make her fall in love with the house. Then when school is done she’ll be back here where she belongs.”

“Well, she’s already in love with you. The kitchen is a perk. You’re a sweet man. You know that, right? I’m so happy Noelle is getting you for a husband.” I smile at my mom. My parents’ approval means a lot to me. When I get it I know I’m on the right track. I not only followed in my dad’s footsteps when it came to work, but also when it came to love. They have set the bar on what a happy relationship looks like, and I want that same thing with Noelle.

“I grew up with parents that showed us every day what a good marriage looks like. Hell, I think I’ve used a few of Dad’s tricks.” I always thought my dad was a little crazy when he went into one of his caveman moments. Now I not only understand it, but I also know where I got it. Dad smiles while Mom rolls her eyes. She loves when he does that shit. She’s not fooling anyone.

“I’m surprised Noelle wanted to go over to her parents’ already.” Dad comes over and hands her a glass of wine.

“That makes two of us.” I shift in the chair, feeling edgy. There was a change in the truck. I felt it. It happened so quickly, but I could feel the shift. Then she hardly looked at me after it.

“She can’t hide there forever.” I jerk my head up from my phone again where I was checking if she texted me.

“Hide? Why would you say hide?” Mom takes a sip of her wine, stalling.

“I mean, why else would she go over there?” Mom shrugs.

“She’s mad at me? Then why didn't she yell at me?”

Mom laughs. “She’s not Daisy.” My sister can shout the house down if you make her mad. “Noelle isn't going to shout at anyone. I think that has a little to do with growing up with parents that won’t listen. You start thinking what's the point of saying anything.”

“Fuck me.” I run my hand down my face. That makes perfect sense. It’s going to take time, but I’ll take those thoughts from her pretty head. For now I’ll do better with reading her. My phone finally dings. I pick it up so fast I almost drop it. “Not fucking happening.” I push back the chair, standing up.

“What?” Mom's eyes are wide. Dad leans up against the counter with his arms folded.

“I’m guessing she just said something our son isn't okay with. Now he’s going to storm out of here and go over to her parents’ house and likely carry her out.”

“You’re all a bunch of cavemen.”

“I notice you’re not telling him not to.”

“It would be pointless.”

“And Noelle is going to see she has a man who will fight for her.”

Damn right I will. “I love you guys. See you later.”

“You better plan to have one meal over here while you’re both in town,” Mom shouts to my retreating back, but I’m already out the door and climbing into my truck.

Stay the night? She thinks she’s going to stay the night over there? She’s done lost her damn mind. The only thing I can think this is about is the birth control comment. She caught me off-guard. I thought most girls were on it? Of course not. My girl wasn't on it. I was trying to tread lightly about the whole conversation.

Deep down I know what I’ve been doing. Never once bringing up anything about protection. I had one thought every time I thrust into her hot little cunt. That I needed her to be mine in every fucking way. Then maybe, just maybe I won’t be so fucking nuts all the time about everything when it comes to her.

I pull up to the front of the her parent’s house. I leave the truck running, and I don’t bother knocking either. I follow the sound of voices and I know the soft, sweet one is my Noelle. The other is her mom’s. Nails on a chalkboard.

“I’m just saying you’ve gained weight.” I stop walking. Did she really say that to her daughter? “I had a feeling this would happen. I mean, you go to school to eat.”

“To cook.”

“Whatever. Are you going to tell me you haven't put on ten pounds?”

“Fifteen,” she says so low I almost don’t catch it. This is bullshit. Who fucking cares?

“Fifteen! How is that even possible?” And I’m done. I head into the kitchen to end this shit. Kelly looks at me as I enter. Noelle is facing her mom and has no idea I’m right behind her.

“Because I’m pregnant, okay? What the hell, Mom? Why do you have to be like this?” I stand there in shock. The drive today makes so much fucking sense now. “This is when I need you.”