Page 4 of Bonding with the Beta (Fated Souls #2)

4

KAYLEIGH

W hen Ava told me about her baby shower, we decided to make a weekend trip out of it. I barely see her as it is, and I need to make up for the two years we lost.

“It’s just over here on the left.” Ava points as I steer my car towards the shimmering lake.

“Oh, wow.” I admire the still, clear water and the vibrant greenery growing over the lake. “It’s stunning.”

Ava nods in agreement. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? This place is special to me. It was one of the first places I let my walls down after everything, and Jaxon was so patient with me. I learnt a lot about him and about who I am as a person.”

My heart skips a beat at her declaration. “Well, thank you for sharing it with me.”

She leans over and takes my hand. “You will always be a special person in my life, no matter how long we’ve been apart. Nothing can break our friendship. Nothing.”

“It’s only ten o’clock. I’ve got a hangover, and we’re already starting to get soppy?”

Ava laughs, and I adore seeing her smile. Her happiness is almost contagious, and it makes me forget about everything else going on in the back of my mind. “That’s what champagne does to you,” she admits.

“Ugh.” I rest my forehead against my steering wheel, my stomach cramping. “Please, don’t remind me.”

“Come on.” She beckons her head and opens the car door, her hand instantly resting against her baby bump. “Let’s go find some shade. I’m sure some food and my company will help you perk up.”

I step out of my car and grab our things before walking along the edge of the breathtaking lake. We perch in a shady spot, and I lay out a blanket and help Ava to the floor.

“I might not be able to get up after.” She laughs softly.

“Don’t worry. That’s what I’m here for.”

“My hero.”

Once we get comfortable, I take off my shoes and dig into the food to try and save myself from this atrocious hangover. The worst part is I barely managed to sleep after Kayden heard me talk to myself like a loser. I’m officially losing the plot.

But he doesn’t need to know that.

I’ve never wanted the ground to swallow me whole more than in that moment, and the fact he taunted me added the icing to the cake. I pray I never see him again—which is stupid, considering he lives with Ava, and it’s inevitable.

“So, how have you been, Kay? I feel like everything has been about me, Jax, and the baby,” she says before letting out an exhausted sigh. “I feel awful.”

I shake my head at her statement. “Don’t say that. Everything is great.”

Ava’s brows crease. “You sure? That doesn’t sound so convincing.”

“Yeah, of course it is. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Dunno.” She shrugs. “Something sounds off in your voice. You know you can talk to me about anything? Just because I’ve got a baby on the way doesn’t mean I can’t also listen to you, Kay. If anything, it’d be nice to talk about something different.”

I smile at her. “But it’s exciting.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

I’ve had my moments in the past where I was in a dark place, but I know things aren’t as bad anymore. I’ve come to terms with it. But it’s not something I like to talk about because it hurts to voice aloud.

“I’m fine, honestly.” I shove a mini sausage roll into my mouth. “I’ve got some exams coming up, and I’m a little stressed and hungover. I’m fine, I promise.”

Ava hums and looks at me for a moment too long. “Fine. You and Kayden seemed pretty close yesterday.”

I blink at her comment. “We did?”

I laugh hesitantly as if we did something we shouldn’t. But all I did was embarrass the hell out of myself in front of a guy I shouldn’t find attractive.

She nods, placing a bottle of pink lemonade to her lips. “Yeah, I saw you guys talking loads.”

I extend my arm, and she hands me the bottle. “Thanks,” I say as I take a rather large gulp.

Her eyes are like lasers on me, and I hate being in the firing line.

“I mean, yeah, we spoke. But you know, just normal chit-chat stuff.”

“Did something happen between you guys?” She narrows her eyes. “Like…happen, happen. ”

The pink lemonade I attempt to swallow is now being sprayed across the grass. “What?” I exclaim as I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. “Of course not. No. Never.”

“Mmm.” She drums her fingers across her lips. “I’ll take your word for it. He’s a nice guy, but you should know?—”

“Stop, Ava, stop.” I hold out a hand to her. “I am not looking to be in a relationship, date, or do anything like that. I’m working on myself for now.”

“Okay.” She raises her own hands in defence. “I was just asking.”

I swallow around my dry mouth. “I know. Sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s fine.”

“Did you enjoy your baby shower?”

Ava instinctively rubs her stomach and smiles. “So much. This baby is going to be so loved.”

“Without a doubt. How do you feel about everything?”

Her mouth opens, and she shuts it immediately, a thousand different emotions rushing past her eyes.

I scoot closer and frown. “You can tell me, you know? Nothing has to be sugar-coated.”

“People ask me that all the time, and I lie straight through my teeth.” Her eyes lower, and she slumps back. “Jaxon is the only one who knows because he can see everything.”

My hand reaches across the blanket, and I take her hand. “What’s wrong?”

Ava sniffles and looks up at me with teary eyes. “You know this pregnancy wasn’t planned,” she explains, and I nod. “At first, it was so hard for me to come to terms with. I’m almost twenty-two, yet I feel like I know nothing about this world. How on earth am I meant to raise a child when I still feel like one myself?”

“Oh, Ava.” I clutch her hand tighter. “You’ll be a great mother.”

“Everyone keeps saying that.” She tugs her fingers away. “How do you know I’ll be a good mum? I have zero maternal instincts. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I feel like a fraud, and I don’t want to let Jaxon or our baby down.”

My chest aches at the panic and pain rising in her voice. “I’m sorry you’re feeling that way,” I whisper. “But you know you could never let that man down? I don’t think you even see the way he looks at you. He thinks the absolute world of you. I also think you’re forgetting that being parents means you’re a team. It’s not a competition. I know everything will work out, but I think it’s normal to be having these thoughts, Av.”

She hums softly. “I know. I’m just so scared. I don’t want to do anything wrong.”

“It’s a learning curve,” I state. “For you and Jaxon. You’re going to get things wrong, but you will learn from them and do better the next time. Do you think all parents do everything perfectly? No, because not every child is the same.”

“Yeah,” she croaks. “I guess. I can’t stop overthinking.”

“Have you spoken to Jaxon about it like this?”

Ava drags a hand through her dark hair. “A little. I don’t want to worry him.”

“You need to talk to him, Av. Be honest. He might be able to help take away some of this pressure you’re putting on yourself. You need to communicate.”

“I know,” she whispers. “Thank you, Kay. I really appreciate it.”

I give her a moment to compose herself before she starts laughing. “Honestly, these hormones are crazy. I know I used to cry at anything, but now I feel silly.”

“Oh, no,” I shake my head. “What have you cried at?”

Ava purses her lips.

“Tell me!”

“The weather forecast.”

“What?”

She presses a hand to her head. “I know. It’s stupid.”

“Why the weather forecast?”

“There was this old guy on there, and it looked like his first day or something. He kept messing up and started sweating, and I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I started crying,” she explains with rosy cheeks.

A laugh barks out of me. “Wow.”

“Alright, let’s laugh at the pregnant woman.”

“It’s so good to see you, Ava.”

“Trust me, I know. I’m glad we live close, and we can see each other all the time. Even with the baby here, I’m not going to let you slip through my fingers again.” She points her index finger at me. “How’s university going anyway?”

My shoulders dip at the question. “It’s going okay. I feel like I’m constantly drowning in work, essays, and books. It’s really tough. I feel like students don’t get enough credit sometimes.”

“You’re so intelligent, Kay. I don’t doubt for one second that you won’t come out of uni with an amazing grade,” Ava says sincerely, and it washes my sternum with pride. I know I’m smart, but being amongst other super intelligent students humbles you fast.

I tilt my head slowly. “Thanks, but sometimes it’s hard to convince myself of that.”

“Remember all those times you used to help me do homework for Mr Hudson’s class, and he would always know that you had done it?” She laughs, and I smile along with her at the vivid memory. “We used to play it off that great minds think alike, but no. I was dumb as hell.”

“I might have saved your ass one too many times in school,” I shoot her a knowing look, “but you were not dumb. Blame my parents for forcing me into homework clubs, tutoring, and extra classes. It made me brain dead.”

Ava’s laugh echoes around us. “Yeah, you defo saved me when I didn’t deserve it. But what are best friends for, huh?”

“Exactly.” My eyes sparkle at her. “Now, I’ve got you back. You’re not going anywhere.”