Cash
C ash had to admit that he was a little nervous about introducing Slade to Callan and Mercy. He wasn’t sure how his old friend would react to his new little family. That’s exactly what they had become to him and Slade might not be as happy about his situation as he was.
They got to the bar early so Callan could get some work done. Mercy wasn’t feeling well and got her settled in his office on his couch. He worried that they overdid it with her last night. He texted Emily asking her if she had time to check on Mercy later and she said she would be by after their shopping trip. He was looking forward to finally getting the nursery set up. Ever since he found out about the baby, he had this strange urge to buy a crib and some diapers. The pregnancy books called it “nesting," but they also said that it was something the new mom usually experienced. He chalked it up to wanting to be ready for the little guy—or girl.
Slade got to the bar by ten just as they had agreed, and he looked a little worse for wear. “Rough night?” asked.
Slade laughed, “You could say that. I’ve been working on a project for the past six months and it’s just about finished. The last-minute changes are kicking my ass. I should be done in time to work on your club though.” smiled at his old friend. It felt right that they would build this club together. He knew that they had a long road ahead to reform their friendship, but he was willing to put in the time—Slade was worth it.
“Ready to take a look at the building?” Slade motioned to the door and hesitated.
“I’d like to introduce you to my family, first. That is if you don’t mind.” waited Slade out, giving him a minute to catch up to the fact that he had moved on and found someone after both of their lives went to hell when Jasmine died.
Slade nodded, “Sure, I’d like that, man.” He clapped on the back, and he led the way back to his office to find Callan and Mercy.
Callan stood from behind ’s desk as Slade and he pushed into the office. “Guys, I have someone I’d like for you to meet. This is my old friend, Slade Kelly.” Slade froze in the doorway and didn’t miss the look of disbelief on all their faces. Callan rounded the desk to shake Slade’s hand and the whole exchange felt awkward and forced. Maybe introducing his present to his past was a big mistake. His relationship with Mercy and Callan was so new that he worried that Slade returning to his life might be an issue.
“Good to meet you,” Callan said. Slade nodded and looked over to where Mercy was exerting way too much effort trying to get up off the sofa.
“Let me help you, little one.” took her hands in his and gently tugged her from the couch.
“Thanks,” she said, rubbing her belly. “Once I get settled, I’m like a beached whale.” She giggled and held her hand out to Slade. His friend couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her belly and knew that introducing Slade to Mercy might be a bad idea.
“I’m Mercy, it’s so nice to meet you, Slade.” She stood there, her hand extended and all Slade could do was stare at her, his mouth gaping open. He turned to leave ’s office and Mercy lowered her hand, defeated by his rejection. pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead.
“What the fuck, man?” Callan growled. “What the hell is his problem?” Callan pulled Mercy from ’s arms and cuddled her against his body.
“I’m so sorry, little one. I guess I should have prepared him for the two of you. I was just so happy to have him back in my life again, I jumped the gun. Let me see if he’s all right and then I will come back to find you both.” stormed out of his office, ready to give Slade a piece of his mind for hurting Mercy’s feelings the way he had. But his friend was nowhere to be found. He went outside to search the parking lot for Slade’s truck and found it still parked in front of the bar.
had a hunch that he knew where Slade was, walking next door to the vacant building, he found his friend standing in what was going to be the reception area. Slade shot him a sideways glance and shook his head as if he was disgusted with . Yeah well, he felt the same way but the two of them turning what was supposed to be a happy reunion into a fight wouldn’t help the situation either.
“I’m sorry, man. I just didn’t think you’d be able to move on so easily. Do you ever think of her, of us?” Slade’s whisper broke ’s heart. He never meant to hurt his best friend, and he’d do just about anything to help him find the happiness that he had. But he couldn’t do that for him.
“Of course I do Slade. Hell, Jasmine’s death weighed on me more than you will know. It cost me everything, it cost me your friendship, and that nearly killed me. But that was a long time ago. I think she would want us both to find happiness and not wallow in the past.” didn’t want to push. He knew that Slade was in love with Jasmine, making her death so much harder on him. For , her death was a tragedy, a waste even. But, losing Slade and the guilt that he felt hurt him more.
“For so long, I just went through the motions finding women to hook up with and walking away before they got too attached. It was a lonely existence and one that I’m happy is in my past. I met Mercy and Callan, and we agreed to one night together—the three of us.” laughed at how stupid that sounded. He knew that night that he wouldn’t want just one night with Mercy, but he was too much of a coward to admit that to himself.
“Mercy got pregnant, and Callan and I had some issues to work out, but we made it through, and they are my whole world now,” whispered.
“Well, some of us haven’t been as lucky in love,” Slade said. “I haven’t been able to move on from her, man. And, fuck that’s killing me,” his voice cracked with emotion, and couldn’t help but pull his old friend in for a hug. The two stood like that, in the middle of the partially demolished building. Slade pulled away and wiped his eyes.
“Well, that’s enough of that. Crying like a fucking baby isn’t going to bring her back,” Slade whispered.
shook his head. “No, it won’t and if I could change it all, I would. Hell, I’d give anything for her still to be alive and the two of you to be happy together.”
“, you can’t change what happened. And even though I blamed you, what Jasmine did wasn’t your fault. She chose to take all those pills and end her life. You were just being honest about the way you felt about her, about us. You did nothing wrong.” nodded, unable to talk past the lump in his damn throat. He had waited so many years to hear Slade say those exact words to him and hearing them now gave him so much hope.
“So, what do you say we build a club, here?” finally asked. For the first time in years, he was ready to move forward and embrace all that his future offered.
Mercy looked tired from their day of shopping and wanted to get her home and put her to bed. Callan seemed to be just as worried about her, protectively watching her every move. wasn’t sure that a full day of shopping was such a great idea after the night that they put her through. But they got everything that they needed for the baby’s arrival and after they put Mercy to bed, they planned on setting up the nursery and putting the crib together. They had already painted the room a soft grey color when they remodeled the master bedroom. He was so happy that Mercy seemed to love the color, even picking out elephant-themed bedding for the baby’s crib. The nursery was turning out to be a happy room and one that he looked forward to spending lots of time in.
By the time they got home, Emily was sitting in their driveway, waiting for them. cursed at himself for forgetting that she had agreed to stop by. Jackson got out of his truck and helped Emily out of the passenger side.
“Where have you three been? I’ve been worried sick.” Emily said, trying to help Mercy out of ’s truck. Callan lifted her down and helped Mercy into the house, Emily hot on her heels.
“Sorry, we were shopping for the baby and lost track of time,” said. Jackson smiled at him and nodded.
“I get it, we just got done putting the nursery together for our little one. Em’s just on edge, with her pregnancy and Mercy’s.” knew that Emily loved Mercy and the two were almost like sisters. “Regan’s new little guy has colic so Travis is out at the farm helping out so that the guys can help with the new baby and keep Star happy.” smiled at the thought of all his big, badass friends saddled down with kids. He honestly couldn’t wait to meet his baby; it was only a matter of weeks now.
“Let’s head in and make sure that your girl is all right,” Jack slapped ’s back and headed in to find Emily leaving the master bedroom, a look of panic on her face.
“What is it?” started for the bedroom door and Emily stopped him.
“You two have run my poor friend ragged. She’s having some small contractions, and I need my things from the truck.” Jackson nodded and went back outside. “She needs total bed rest,” Emily continued. “If the contractions continue, she will be having this baby a little earlier than planned.”
felt the same panic that he saw on Emily’s face, “Will she and the baby be all right?” Emily sighed and nodded. released his pent-up breath. “Thank fuck,” he exclaimed.
“You and Callan are going to have to take care of her, she needs complete rest now until the baby comes. She hasn’t had an easy pregnancy. I’m worried that any more stress will send her into labor, and I’d like to see her get through at least one more week. If the baby did come now, he or she would probably be fine, just premature.” Emily took her bag from Jack and kissed his cheek.
“You two wait in the kitchen. I’ll send Callan out to join you. Mercy needs to rest and you two are going to have to get used to someone else calling the shots, for a few weeks.” Emily pointed at herself, and Jackson barked out his laugh.
“Welcome to my world, man.” He smiled at and headed into the kitchen. “I need a beer, what do you have?” Jack started through ’s refrigerator and Callan joined them in the kitchen.
“Man, your woman is bossy.” Jack laughed again and handed them both a beer.
“Don’t I know it? She tops from the bottom every chance she gets, and poor Travis usually has two bosses in the bedroom now.” thought about just how normal it felt for the three of them sitting around his kitchen, talking about their relationships as if threesomes were the norm. He never thought that he would be surrounded by such caring, understanding friends who not only accepted his lifestyle but also practiced it. He counted himself to be one lucky son-of-a-bitch.