Chapter 41 Machine
FORTY-ONE
MACHINE
It had been eight months. Eight months of avoiding each other whenever our paths crossed.
Eight months of not speaking. Eight months of my heart walking around outside of my body.
Any time we saw each other, she avoided me like the plague.
I looked at myself in the mirror and fixed my black tie for the tenth time.
Tonight, Oasis, previously known as Olympus, was opening. I had shoved my entire being into making this project happen and made sure everything was perfect as Kade and Evelyn navigated being almost parents. She was due any day now, and the poor girl looked so uncomfortable.
Stefanos had been eerily quiet for the past six months, putting Kade and me on edge. Something was coming, and we just weren’t sure what.
I arrived at the club and admired how elegant everything looked.
The entire club was painted black and accented with red satin strips cascading along the ceiling and down the walls, flowing from a crystal chandelier at the center of the room.
The main club mimicked the lobby, however, private rooms were sectioned off by more fabric.
All of the staff wore black slacks, white button-down shirts, black vests and bow ties, and red satin pocket squares.
I adjusted my bow tie as I spoke to Amber, our new club manager.
“Looks pretty great, huh?” she asked brightly.
She wore a stunning black satin dress with red heels, her brunette hair styled in an updo. She was beautiful, and I knew she wanted me, but I only had eyes for one woman. One woman who I knew would be here tonight.
I took a sip of my whiskey. “Yes, you guys did an excellent job.”
Amber beamed at my praise. I didn’t hear her response because I felt her.
I knew the second Badger walked into the lobby of the club.
I turned and saw her talking to Phantom and giving her a hug.
Badger wore a breathtaking red satin floor-length gown, her hair styled in a high ponytail, and sexy red lipstick.
I felt my cock twitch in my pants, the first sign of life in ages.
My eyes followed Badger as she and Phantom walked to the bathroom.
“You good, bro?” asked Kade, who was now standing next to me. Amber was gone.
I took another sip of my whiskey. “Yeah, I’m good.”
Before Kade could pry, a startled Badger barged out of the restroom and ran over to us. I searched her frantic eyes for answers.
“Kade!” she called out.
Kade was immediately on alert, ready to take down any threat.
“Badge, what’s wrong?” I asked.
Badger ignored me and tried to catch her breath. “It’s baby time!”
Emery was born at eleven thirty-seven that night. My best friend, my brother, and his beautiful girlfriend had just brought into the world the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen. I never knew how to act around kids, let alone babies, so I waited until the next day to visit.
The members of the Hive and the Elite Squad had already made appearances, bringing balloons and gift baskets. The private hospital room looked like the party section and baby section of a department store had thrown up in it.
“Move out of the way, Nail,” my blonde bombshell said as she barged into the room and stormed to the sleeping child.
I rolled my eyes. We were back to the stupid nicknames. I watched as she cooed and awed over the sleeping baby in her bassinet.
My tongue felt like it was stuck in my throat. I was in a dream I never thought would happen or wanted for myself. The beauty before me was cradling the baby bundle in her arms and cooing. I feel my dick twitch as I try to unpack why the fuck my body was reacting this way.
I muffled out a “be right back,” and ran into the adjoining bathroom. I turned the water on and splashed some cool water on my face.
“Get it together, fuck-twat,” I muttered to myself.
It was just Badger holding a baby. You never wanted kids, and now all of a sudden your loins are begging you to impregnate her? I mentally scolded myself.
Why did I have an aching need for Badger to have my child in her arms? What the fuck was happening to me? After collecting myself, I walked out of the bathroom to see that Buddha had arrived, and was holding the baby. Emery looked abnormally small in his large arms. He gave me a welcoming smile.
“Hey, bro,” he said.
I gave him a dude-nod in response and leaned on the counter by the sink.
“Buddha, give Machine a turn, he hasn’t met her yet,” Phantom chided.
“Oh, sorry man,” Buddha said, walking over to me.
Before I could protest, Buddha placed the sleeping bundle into my arms. She was so small.
I had never held a baby before, and I was pretty sure it was written all over my face.
This was proven when Emery started crying, prompting Badger to laugh and walk over to me.
She adjusted my arms so I was holding the baby correctly, and Emery calmed down.
The contact made my heart pound. God, did I miss her.
She was so close yet so far away, and I hated it.
“See, all better,” Badger cooed at Emery while rubbing the baby’s cheek with her finger.
“Here, you take her,” I said to Badger, needing her to move away from me.
Her scent was taking over my senses, making it nearly impossible to breathe. I needed air. I needed her. Needed… God, I don’t even know what I needed. This torment was driving me crazy.
Badger took the baby and started rocking her as she walked.
Phantom gave me a knowing look. I hadn’t told her about what happened, and I knew that Kade would never say anything without my consent, but I could tell she knew there was something between Badger and me.
Maybe she had newfound mommy wisdom or ESP.
I didn’t know how this whole new mother thing worked.
“Buddha, do you think you’ll have kids?” Badger asked as he tried to steal the baby back. She whacked his arm in protest. “I just got her, you oaf.”
“Yes, I do, but not for a long time. Give her, you’ve already seen her,” Buddha whined while making ‘gimmie’ hands.
“Guys, if you can’t play nice, I’m taking her away,” Phantom said in her best motherly voice.
“No, we’ll behave!” Buddha chimed back.
I just laughed at the exchange. This group was something else. Truly a family. And seeing Badger so happy holding the baby made my heart swell.
I excused myself and gave Kade a look. He knew what I was saying without me having to actually say it. I couldn’t be there. Not near her. Not when she wasn’t mine.
Everyone said their goodbyes before I walked out of the room and left the hospital. It wasn’t until I was in my Durango that I let myself scream and punch the steering wheel.