Stay With Me: A Best Friend’s Brother Small Town Romance (Sugarland Creek Book 2)

20 WEEKS PREGNANT

“Whoa, what’re you watchin’?”

I’m curled up on the couch with a blanket, a large bowl of extra butter popcorn, and a Sprite when Tripp walks in from work. His eyes are wide as coasters, and his tone is harsh like he’s caught me watching porn.

“A movie. You wanna join me?”

“My Girl? Have you never seen this before?”

“No, I never heard of it until thirty minutes ago. But I saw that kid from Home Alone was in it, and the trailer looked good. It’s one of those oldies from the ’90s. It’s cute so far.”

He cautiously sits next to me, worry etched across his features. The movie features a little girl named Vada and her best friend, Thomas J, growing up in the ’70s. Her dad owns a funeral parlor and his new makeup artist, Shelly, is talking to Vada in a bathroom about makeup and boys.

Like I said, it’s cute.

I shove popcorn into my mouth and a few fall down to my chest and over the ski hill I call my baby bump. It’s growing faster than I can keep up with buying new clothes, so I’ve been stealing Tripp’s T-shirts. He hasn’t complained, so I assume he doesn’t mind.

“I-I’m not sure you should be watchin’ this, Sunny. It has a sad scene.”

“What’re you talkin’ about? The trailer made it look sweet and happy.”

Considering I cry at the drop of a hat, I understand his concern, but he must be confusing this one with a different movie. It’s about an eleven-year-old girl going through some new life changes, to which I can relate on a different adult level, and witnessing her father dating for the first time in twenty years.

“Trust me…you’re not gonna like it.”

“Just because I’m emotional and pregnant doesn’t mean I can’t handle a somewhat sad movie. Plus, that Bingo scene was kinda funny. I don’t think you know what you’re talkin’ about.”

He scratches his head, presumably giving up on trying to convince me to turn it off. I’ve had a busy week at work, I’m tired and feel fat, so I treated myself to a movie night.

“How was work today?” I look over at him watching me.

“Kinda busy actually. Had five new check-ins at cabin call and they all requested Wilder as their horseback riding tour guide, so I have a sneakin’ suspicion he’s been posting thirst traps on social media again.”

I burst out laughing at the idea of what a horseback thirst trap could entail, but now I must see this. “That’s hilarious. Well, now ya can’t say Wilder doesn’t help bring in money.”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t tell you they were all women in their forties and fifties.”

Now I’m laughing so hard my side hurts.

“I need to get to the retreat side more often and watch the twins at work.”

“Don’t even think about it,” he warns, which has me fighting back a smile.

I go back to the movie, and the family is hosting a Fourth of July party. Vada clearly doesn’t like how close Shelly is with her dad and is trying to sabotage them in every way possible. But then Shelly’s ex-husband and his brother show up, threatening to take the camper she’s currently living in, and Mr. Sultenfuss obviously doesn’t like them.

“Holy shit, did he just sucker punch her ex in the gut?” My mouth falls open, and I inch closer to the edge of the sofa to watch the drama unfold.

Then Mr. Sultenfuss delivers the best line I’ve ever heard.

“Then you’ll probably be visiting us here quite often.” And when the brother asks, “why,” Mr. Sultenfuss says, “Because if he ever tries to take Shelly’s camper again, I’m going to bury him in my front yard.”

“Oh my God! Now tell me that isn’t something a book boyfriend would say.” I exaggerate by fanning myself. “Holy shit, that’s pretty hot for an old guy.”

Tripp gives me a look like I’m insane.

“What? He stood up for his lady!” I hold out my hand toward the TV.

He crosses his arms. “Oh, but when I hit Travis, I’m dodgin’ assault charges.”

I snort, patting his leg. “This is the ’70s, babe. Different times.”

He rolls his eyes, and we sit back comfortably on the couch as we continue to watch Vada, who’s decided she’s running away to Hollywood.

And then she gets her dreaded period and wants to outlaw sex.

I hear ya, girlfriend. Periods and sex should be banned.

“Oh my gosh, Vada’s in love with her poetry teacher. That’s adorable.”

He coughs. “That’s a felony.”

I give him a side-eye for trying to ruin my vibe.

The way they say the Pledge of Allegiance after they share their first kiss has me cackling.

“I dunno what the hell you’re talkin’ about. This movie is adorable.”

He clasps his mouth shut, glances over at me, and remains quiet.

“Aw, he went back to find her mood ring.”

Tripp’s body tenses beside me.

“Oh no, the bees are back.”

He glances at me again.

“Why isn’t he running away?”

Okay, that was weird…

The scene just ends with Thomas J surrounded by them, and now we’re back at Vada’s house.

“Wait…what happened?” I smack Tripp’s arm, who’s unsettlingly quiet.

Now the sheriff is at the house, and her dad’s walking up to Vada’s room.

Her dad looks like he’s about to cry…and I don’t like where this is going.

“What does he mean he was allergic? No…there’s no way.”

My chest squeezes as I fight back the tears when I realize Thomas J died from too many bee stings.

And then the dam breaks when Vada runs to the doctor and says she can’t breathe. Poor thing is having a panic attack.

Is that how Tripp felt when Billy died?

When they show the stretcher going into the funeral parlor, I swear I’m hyperventilating.

“Why didn’t you warn me?” I cry out when he wraps his arm around my shoulders. “A child? This should be a crime.”

“I tried…” he whispers, pulling me into his chest.

“He was her only friend…” I sob through my words as he holds me close.

Watching Vada cry for him and scream out how he can’t see without his glasses at his funeral has me no longer able to see the screen through all the tears. And when she runs off to her teacher, Mr. Bixler, and finds out he’s engaged, I’m done.

Tapped out.

This little girl is feeling so much pain, and it’s breaking me.

Tripp rubs his palm over my hair, trying to calm me, but there’s no point. My heart is shattered.

When I wipe my cheeks, my vision clears enough for me to continue watching. I might as well finish this horrible movie and see it through.

But the ending crushes me almost just as much.

When Vada runs into the little boy’s mom, she tells her that her mother, who died after childbirth, is in heaven watching over Thomas J.

Then she goes back to class for the last day and reads her poem that’s clearly about Thomas J. It’s equally sweet and heartbreaking.

And then the “My Girl” song plays as she rides off on her bike with her new friend, Judy.

“See, it gets a happy ending,” Tripp says.

I sit up and give him a look of disbelief.

“Are you serious? She loses her best friend.”

“That’s part of life, Sunny. Now she’s learning to cope and how to move on.”

I pull away, rolling my eyes and refusing to accept this movie as anything but a tragedy.

It has me wondering how much he thinks about Billy when he watches these types of movies. I’m not sure I could ever watch a sad one if anything happened to Noah.

“I hate this movie. Zero out of ten. Do not recommend.” I grab the remote and turn off the TV.

“So I’m guessin’ you don’t wanna watch My Girl 2?”

“There’s a second one?” I shriek. “What happens in that? Her dad dies next? Gets a puppy and then they accidentally run him over?”

The corner of his lip curls up as if he’s fighting back a smile. “No, she goes to visit her uncle to learn more about her mother and shares a kiss with her step-cousin at the end.”

“What? You’re lyin’.”

He full-on laughs at my reaction. “I swear. She’s only thirteen, and there’s no relation.”

“I still don’t trust it.” I fold my arms. “Now I need to watch somethin’ else to cleanse my brain and remove my memory of the past two hours.”

He stands, brushing dirt off his jeans, and then looks at me. “Find a new one to watch while I take a quick shower. Then I’ll make us something for dinner. What’re you in the mood for?”

“Hmm…I’ll let ya know when you’re done.”

He smirks. “Okay.”

Before walking away, he leans down to meet my eyes. “Are you alright? You’re not gonna stay out here and cry while I’m gone, are you?”

“No.” I sniffle.

He cups my jaw and brushes his thumb along my cheek. The way he looks at me has me in a chokehold and unable to move. Almost as if he’s trying to see into my soul.

“I’ll be back in fifteen.” He dips down, kisses my forehead, and walks toward his bedroom.

You’d think after over three months of living together, we wouldn’t continue to have this unspoken connection that is still there after one month of dating. Sometimes I daydream about what it’d be like to tell him I want to get back together and how nice it’d be to give into these feelings. The ones that hit me so strongly, there are times I forget I can’t just go up to him and kiss him because I drew the line between us.

After ten minutes of searching, I finally land on a new movie to watch. The Last Song with Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth. Surely a movie with her in it won’t be sad. It looks like a teenage girl reconnecting with her dad after her parents split.

As long as no one else dies, I’ll be fine.

The trailer has upbeat music and a Miley Cyrus song, which we love to see.

Plus, a little eye candy never hurt anyone either.

Bingo.

I cue it up and wait for Tripp. Lately, our movie nights have been few and far between with him working late. Sometimes I wonder if he’s purposely working more because being around me is getting too hard for him. I’m invading his home and space, and although he told me it was fine for me to be here, I might be overstaying my welcome.

But then I look down at my wrist and the charm bracelet he gifted me for Christmas that was definitely more than what you’d gift someone you didn’t want living in your house. When I first opened it, I was in shock that he’d do something so sentimental and sweet. Though I should’ve figured because this is Tripp we’re talking about here. He’s nothing if not extra thoughtful. It really outdid the gifts I got him, but he didn’t make me feel guilty about it. I wear it every day and can’t wait to add the baby’s first initial once I settle on a name. My next ultrasound is in a few days, and then I’ll get to find out the gender.

I’ve considered looking for a new place since I’ve been able to save money by not paying rent, but I’d need enough for a security deposit and to actually furnish said apartment, plus all the baby stuff. Only my bed and dresser survived Travis’s wrath when he trashed it.

As I scroll through my social media, my phone rings with an unfamiliar phone number. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I pick up.

“Hello?”

An operator asking if I’ll accept a call from the Sugarland Creek jail is the last thing I expect.

My first thought is one of the Hollis boys got arrested, and when they couldn’t get ahold of Tripp, they’d called me. But then a voice I never expected echoes in my ear.

Travis.

No fucking way.

“Maggie, are you there?”

“Depends. Whaddya want?”

“I needed to hear your voice and make sure you’re okay. I’ve been worried sick about you.”

“Worried before or after you broke into my place and trashed it?”

“Baby, no. I didn’t do that. Someone’s after me. You gotta believe me.”

I scowl because of course he’d lie.

“Uh-huh, and who exactly is that?”

“His name is Emilio, and he’s dangerous, baby. I owe him some money, and he went after you to send me a message.”

“Stop with the baby. What the hell are you talkin’ about? Why would he come after me?”

“Because he followed me around for a couple of months and realized you’re someone important to me, which is why I’m tellin’ you to be careful. Now that you’re on his radar, you’re a target.”

So he’s using me to get to Travis? Or was it to get him out of hiding?

And wait⁠—

“When did you get arrested?”

Last I knew, he was still on the town’s wanted list.

“Last night, but they just now allowed me to make a call.”

“And you’re responsible for the robberies?”

“I was tryin’ to get the money to pay him back so he wouldn’t come after you. I was protectin’ you.”

I scoff in disbelief.

“How much, Travis? How much do you owe him?”

This wouldn’t be the first time Travis got himself into money trouble. He likes to place bets he has no business placing.

“It ain’t that much.”

I roll my eyes, growing frustrated. “That’s not what I asked.”

“A hundred.”

“A hundred dollars?” I ask, confused.

“Grand, baby. I gave him half of it already from the money I stole, so he just needs the other half, and he’ll leave us alone.”

“Us? Why am I involved in this?”

“I just told you. He knows you’re my girlfriend, so he’s threatenin’ your life to pressure me to pay him the other fifty. So I thought if I could borrow it from you, he’d leave us alone.”

“First, I’m not your girlfriend or your baby, so stop that. And second, you’re more delusional than I thought if you think I have that kind of money. I lost the majority of my things in my apartment, and I’m a small business owner. I’m not drownin’ in assets here.”

“Can’t you take a loan out on your coffee thing?”

“Hell no. Even if I could or had the means, I wouldn’t give it to you.”

“Maggie, this is serious. He’s gonna come after you worse than messin’ up your place. Next, it’ll be your car or your trailer. Or hell, he could take you.”

My heart beats so hard in my chest I can barely hear him over the pounding.

“Why would he suddenly come for me after months of nothin’?” I ask, trying to piece all of this together.

“Because I was missin’, but now that I got arrested and he knows I’m not dead, he’ll start harassin’ me and you again until he’s paid.”

“Who is this guy?”

“A bookie and he doesn’t play around.”

“Is he the type to wear an all-black suit and drive a Denali?” Flashbacks of that random guy who stopped by months ago hit me.

“Yes, that’s him. He sent me a photo of you workin’, which is why I had to keep stealin’ money. Once I paid him the first half, it held him off for a bit, but he’s gettin’ impatient for the rest.”

“Well, if he comes back around, I’ll just tell him I have nothin’ to do with you.”

He chuckles darkly. “It don’t work like that. He already knows you’re an asset to me and will use you to get what he wants from me.”

I blow out a frustrated breath because this isn’t making a lot of sense to me. “Well, I have nothin’ to offer him.”

“That’s not the point. You offer him leverage on gettin’ what he wants from me. If I hadn’t gotten caught, I have no doubt he woulda done something to you to smoke me out of hidin’.”

Well, that’s not reassuring in the least.

“Speakin’ of which, where’re you stayin’, by the way, since you’re not at your apartment?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Maggie, I just wanna know that you’re somewhere safe.”

“I am.”

“If you see anything suspicious, run away and call 911.”

Anger boils inside me as the reality of his words crashes into me. “Why do you have to pull me into your bullshit, Travis? Just tell him we’re not together and that you don’t care about me anymore. You’re a pro at lying and manipulating people. I’m sure you can convince him.”

“Yeah, see, it’s kinda hard to do that when you’re walkin’ around with a baby bump. He’s a smart guy to put two and two together.”

My breath hitches, and my heart implodes. There’s no way I heard him correctly.

“Were you gonna tell me?” he asks when I don’t speak.

Sighing, I blow out a defeated breath. “Eventually.”

“So it is mine.” He’s not asking.

My head falls against the couch, wishing I could go back to five minutes ago before I picked up the phone.

“Yeah. But it doesn’t change anything. We’re not gettin’ back together, and I want nothin’ to do with whatever BS you got yourself in. How’d you find out if you’ve been in hidin’?”

“Emilio emailed me photos of you walkin’ around town lookin’ a little plump. He wrote, Turns out you have two assets I can take.”

I snarl at his choice of words. “He’s followin’ me around?”

“I’ve been tellin’ you…and now, he knows you’re knocked up. So if you have the money, it’d keep him off our backs and the baby’s.”

My throat tightens as I fight back angry tears at the mention of my baby.

“I already told you I don’t have that kind of money,” I hiss between my teeth.

“He also had a picture of you with Tripp Hollis.”

“So?”

“You two together?”

“Again, none of your business.”

“Well, I know your little boyfriend has more than enough money to cover fifty grand.”

“How would you know that?”

“Everyone knows the Hollises are loaded. Look at their ranch and all the property they own. It’s the most top-rated equine retreat in the South. Everything they own is the best of the best.”

“Okay, even if his parents are wealthy, doesn’t mean he is.”

“It’s only a matter of time before Emilio connects the dots and comes after Tripp and his family. They’d be payin’ for their safety and protecting their business without puttin’ a dent in their wallets. So it’d make things a lot easier just to have ‘em give it to me so I can pay him off right away and no one has to be in danger.”

Fuck me. This is exactly why I broke up with Tripp in the first place.

“They have nothin’ to do with you.”

“If he’s associated with you, he’s a target,” he confirms. “I wouldn’t put it past Emilio to do whatever it takes to get the cash.”

The phone beeps, and Travis sighs. “My time’s running out. I’ll call you in a few days, and I’ll need your decision by then. I’m safer here, so I’m not even gonna try to get bail.”

“Wait, what? You’re leavin’ all the responsibility of this on me and hidin’ in there? You fuckin’ coward.”

“I don’t have the money, Maggie!”

“Neither do⁠—”

The line cuts out before I can finish, and I’m seething before I even set my phone down.

This cannot be happening.