Fulfillment by Golland, M. (best large ebook reader .txt) 📕

along with me right upuntil the pause before the chorus. I nodded my head at her and theother girls then we all sang the lyrics in the chorus together,rather loudly.

Now, if you’renot familiar with the song, the chorus is what you would describeas a ‘belter’, meaning one: you have to be relatively good atsinging—which we weren’t. And two: you needed to belt it out reallyloud—which we did. Needless to say, it got everyone’sattention—mainly due to the fact we sounded awful.

Before I knewit, Will had grabbed a couple of forks from a serving platter andstarted drumming the beat on the top of the bar, assisting ourcharade. I smiled at him as I laughed and continued to sing thesong—I think the drum beat actually helped our tone. Carls hadcaught on to our game at that point and was pinching the bridge ofher nose and screwing up her face. Derek just seemed highly amusedat our apparent flash mob performance. This behaviour was not outof the ordinary for us girls, so after we had finished, we receiveda small round of applause then the room went back to its normalsmall talk chit chat.

I hadn’tnoticed Bryce return until we had finished our sing-along. He wasstanding next to Jake looking pretty comfortable and relaxed. Iwalked up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist.

Jake shook hishead at me. “Are you sure you want her to have your baby?” he askedBryce, pointing toward me with his beer. “She’s slightlycrazy.”

Bryce kissedmy head. “I like crazy.”

I pulled awayand gently elbowed him in the ribs. “Did you find Gareth?”

“No. He’sobviously taken off. I’ll speak with him tomorrow.” I shot him anapologetic look. “Alexis, it’s not your fault, so don’t.”

“What’s nother fault?” Jake asked.

“It’s nothing,Jake. Gareth is just not a fan of me and Bryce as a couple.”

“Why? Does hehave a thing for you, Lexi?”

I scoffed.Um, no not me...the sexy father of my child, more like it.“It’s a long story Jake. I’ll fill you in another time.” Now wasnot the time to enlighten Jake that Gareth was Bryce’s mentally illcousin who had an altering personality, one that was in love withBryce and wanted me out of the picture. No, now is definitelynot the time.

“Fair enough.”Jake seemed to let it go, but knowing my brother, he would re-visitit at some point in time. “I’m gonna hit the sack. I have a laterun up the Hume Highway to Sydney tomorrow. If I get my shut-eyenow, I will be able to do the round trip without stopping.”

“Drive safely,okay? I hate when you do long trips.” I gave my brother a bighug.

“Of course,this little tacker in here...” he gently placed his hand on mytummy, “must be dying to meet its uncle. I have no choice but tostay safe, wouldn’t want to disappoint the little rugrat when it’sborn.” He removed his hand and shook Bryce’s. “Congratulations,Mate.”

“You are sofull of yourself, you know that right?” I teased.

“Yep, full ofshit hotness! Don’t forget it.”

“Ewww. Go. Goto bed.” I nudged him toward the door.

“Night,” hecalled behind him.

“Night,” wereplied.

The kids hadalready taken themselves to bed. Mum, Dad, Jen and Steve allfollowed shortly after, leaving only Live Trepidation, the girlsand their husbands and kids—who were beginning to turn feral—and ofcourse, Carls. Carls, who was on a war path, heading directly forme.

“Shit! I thinkI’ll take you up on the security guard offer,” I said quickly as Iwrapped myself in Bryce’s arms for protection.

He seemed alittle concerned. “What? Why?”

“It looks likeCarls wants my head on a platter.”

She stormedright up to me, her face desperately trying to hold tight. “You arehilarious,” she said sarcastically.

“I know,” Ianswered honestly.

“No. Thatwasn’t funny. I was so fucking embarrassed.”

“Relax. He hadno idea.”

“Who had noidea?” Bryce asked.

“Derek,” weboth answered.

Bryce lookedover at his lead singer, slightly confused. “What does he have noidea about?”

I jumped inbefore Carls had a chance. “He has no idea Carly has a burntburger.” I cracked up laughing.

“You’re abitch, Alexis Summers.”

“No, I’m not,Carly Henkley. Your burger is burnt and you need it thawed out, Iwas simply trying to begin that process.”

“I can thawout my own burger, thanks,” she hissed under her breath.

Bryce took astep back. “I’m not fucking sure if you are talking about a BBQ orsomething entirely different. Either way, I don’t want to knowabout Carly’s burger, so please excuse me.” He headed toward theother men in the room.

“There isnothing wrong with my burger, Bryce,” she called out after him.“Just so you know, it’s a good burger.”

“Carly!” Iplayfully hit her on the arm. “Don’t offer your burger to myman.”

“Why? Is he avegetarian?”

“No! God, no!”I laughed. “The man is a carnivore through and through.” I bit mylip as I remembered our encounter in the Crow.

“I hate you,you know,” she admitted, while taking in my hungry expression.

“You should.Every woman should. I’ve scored big time.”

“Good. I’mglad you know it, Hun.”

“Oh trust me,Carls. I know it alright.”

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

The next day our familyand friends checked out of the hotel at staggered times of the day,most of them popping up to the penthouse to wish me a happybirthday and to thank us and say goodbye. Mum and Dad took Nate andCharli back to the farm with them as it was school holidays foranother two weeks. The kids were so excited. They adored the farmand spending time with their grandparents.

Rick hadarranged to be off work for the second week of the holidays, sothat the kids could stay with him. I assumed that was still thecase, but after last night’s heated exchange, I couldn’t exactly besure. I would have to contact him sooner rather than later to findout. I was still kind of reeling from his outburst and accusation,feeling like I now had to prove my innocence—so to speak. Thatfeeling really pissed me off; I did not have to prove anything tohim. I did not have to prove my child was Bryce’s, and I did nothave to prove that I had done nothing wrong.

Anger over thewhole situation was simmering away deep within me, and I could feelmyself begin to get worked up, so I thought I would take out myfrustration and stress on