Chapter Sixteen
Jade
The looks all those women were giving me in that OBGYN waiting room had my skin itching. I could feel them staring at Gray with awe and lust, but when they turned to me, it was frosty. I smirked as we walked back to the exam room and tucked my hand in the back pocket of my man's jeans. I may or may not have grabbed his ass while staring dead into one of the bitch's faces. Her face turned from cold to menacing in an instant. I will never understand how a woman can do that to another woman, all because of the man she is dating. Who in their right mind would think it's okay to check out another woman's man and then get pissy when we stake our claim? The bitches.
We are back in the parking lot now, and Grim has me backed against my car. He has his hands on my hips and his forehead touching mine as we both look down at the envelope in my hand.
“What if we just opened it? We can go to the store and get a new envelope. No one would know.” I say, gripping the letter with all my might.
“As much as I would absolutely love that, Halle would know, and she might kill us,” Gray chuckles, and I know he’s right.
She actually might kill us. Halle and I have gotten so close over the past three months; she has become my rock. When I can't deal with Gray’s overprotectiveness, I find Halle. We usually hide out somewhere, or she gets us into a bit of trouble, but I know she always has my back. I think she’s drifted away from the other girls some. I can see her looking at the kids with such longing, and when the other women have their hands full with babies, I feel like I see the devastation behind her eyes.
She uses any excuse to go on another run with the guys or go on another job that I refuse to ask about. I know Loki and Halle do some fucked up shit, but I also know it's all for the greater good. I know they kill people, but I also know beyond a shadow of a doubt they only kill the people who need to be killed. The ones that make this world a hell of a place to live. I admire them both. I just wish I knew what to do to bring her back to us. Any chance she gets, she’s holding onto my belly, and I love every minute of it. Usually, it's the only time I see peace in her eyes.
“You're right. We can't take this away from here. We'll find out tomorrow, though, right?” I ask. We made the appointment to find out the gender of the baby was closer to the gender reveal.
There was no way in hell I could hold off for weeks. I would have ripped that envelope open two days after getting it. Actually, probably more like one day. That's why we scheduled the gender appointment a bit later, and the party/baby shower/gender reveal will be tomorrow at the compound. I place the envelope on the front seat while I pull out behind Gray on his bike. We are headed back to the compound to prepare the place for tomorrow. My feet are hurting, and I swear I feel like my vagina will fall out any moment, but I know it's all going to be worth it when we meet our baby. I pull into a parking space beside Gray's bike and watch Halle rush out of the club doors.
“Do you have it? Give me! Give me!” she says, bouncing up to me with her hands held out. I chuckle, getting out of the car. Gray holds my waist and helps me the rest of the way out like I’m already the size of a house. I’m not there yet, but I know it won't be long.
“Pet, let her get out of the car first,” Loki growls, pulling her back into his chest and licking the side of her neck. I laugh at his actions. It might be weird for others, but I couldn't tell you how many times I’ve walked in on those two going at it. They are not shy about their love, and when the moment hits them, they don't give a fuck who's around. Well, besides the kids. They make sure they aren't exposed when the kids are around.
“I just want to know,” she whines, but turns and gives him a big kiss.
“All this talk about babies and being excited has me wanting to drop your daisy dukes and shove…” Loki starts, but Gray slaps his hands over my ears. I hear his muffled words, and they have me laughing out loud.
“Shut the fuck up. Don't talk like that in front of my woman.”
“Damn, Grim. Don't be such a fucking dick in the mud,” Loki says.
“I think you mean stick,” Halle corrects.
“No, I think I got it right.” Loki smirks. “Besides, you’ve already corrupted your woman. It's the baby you really need to worry about.”
“Shit, you're right,” Gray says, taking his hands off my ears and placing them on my belly like that’s going to keep the baby from hearing. I roll my eyes before turning back around, bending down—hearing Gray groan, I wiggle my ass a bit more—picking up the envelope off the seat and handing it to Halle. She squeals, making me laugh as both Loki and Gray wince.
“Okay, I can't wait one more second. I’m going to find out if I’m having another niece or another nephew,” she says excitedly, bending down and placing a kiss on my belly. I shake my head as I watch her bounce back into the compound. Loki watches her go until the door closes before turning to me.
“You’ve made her happier than I’ve seen in months. Thank you for giving her this. You will never know what it means to the both of us,” he says before turning and following his woman. When the door shuts behind him, I turn to look at Gray.
“I think that's the first time I’ve ever heard him say one sentence that didn't involve killing somebody or didn't have one single cuss word,” I fake whisper. Gray throws his head back, laughing.
“Enjoy it, Clover. None of us see that side often,” he says, grabbing me around the waist and leading me toward the front door.
“So, I think I’ll check the kitchen and see what the girls want me to do to help with the party tomorrow,” I say, starting in the kitchen's direction. Before I make it two feet, Gray has me pulled back to his side.
“Nuh-uh. I have strict instructions from each one of the ladies. You are to go upstairs, prop up your feet, and gorge on food and snacks. They don't want you stressing about tomorrow. It's your day, and they want you to enjoy it. Mainly, they want you to relax,” he says, herding me toward our room.
I roll my eyes because I’ve heard that word way too much here lately. When I’m with Gray, he wants me to relax. When I’m at the shop, my mom wants me to relax. When I’m at the clubhouse, the girls want me to relax. I enjoy all the love and the care, but I’m just not used to feeling so useless. It makes me feel lazy. I know they are all just worried about the baby and me, but I also know plenty of women work and kick ass until birth. I want to be like those women. I also know there is no use in arguing. It would just start a fight, and I would end in tears, so I rolled my eyes, huffed for good measure, and stomped toward the room.
It doesn't take me long to get over my snit when all the girls pile into Gray’s room. They bring snacks, juice, and comfy blankets. Maybe I could get used to this kind of spoiling.