Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
ROCHELLE
Red and I are sitting in the kitchen, but it feels like I’m a million miles away. It’s been weeks now. Drifter and I aren’t sharing a bed. We’re barely sharing words. We’ve gone from best friends, from soul mates, to acting like we can’t stand the sight of each other.
The worst part is, I don’t even know what we’re really mad about anymore.
I’ve tried to smooth things over, tried to call a truce, but every time I open my mouth it spirals into something bigger.
The immaturity and stubborness creep in.
I never wanted to turn into my mother. I never wanted a man ruling my life.
My dad did that for years as VP of this place, and I watched it happen.
I’m not about to let my husband treat me the same way.
And now, because of that thinking, because neither of us will bend, we’re stuck in a stalemate.
I blow over my coffee, deep in thought, when Red clears her throat. I glance her way, and she offers a weak smile. “Just talk to him.”
I shrug miserably. “It’s not that simple.”
“Of course, it is. You’re being stubborn.”
I arch my brow. “Says the one who went into full brat mode after we got found out.”
“But at least Rock and I are back on talking terms now. You’re still at it.”
I sigh, placing my cup back on the table. “You’re calling me a brat?”
“Well . . .”
“You’re supposed to be on my side,” I remind her.
“There isn’t sides on this one. You love him, right?”
“Of course. He’s the love of my life, the man who taught me everything.
” I smirk at the memory of him taking my virginity, worshipping me, letting me know I was his everything, and, from that moment on, there would be no turning back.
“When we were younger, I was his equal. Now, I feel like I’m second best to everything else. ”
Red reaches over, grabbing my hand.
“You know that’s not personal. You taught me that, remember?”
I nod, not trusting myself to speak as my emotions rush to the surface.
The door swings open, and Bella walks in with her son, Mason, hot on her heels. She takes one look at the scene before her and turns Mason around, pushing him out of the kitchen.
“Go find Clay. Get him to help with that maths homework.”
We hear him groan. “But Mummmmm—”
“No, you need to do it. Go.”
She turns back, coming into the kitchen and pulling out a chair beside me.
“We having an intervention?” she asks, and we all burst out laughing.
“Red was just telling me how much of an irrational brat I’ve been recently,” I reply.
“Hey, I didn’t say irrational.” She feigns hurt.
“We all know you meant it,” says Bella with a laugh. “But she’s right. It’s time you both grow up. If you want to bring a baby into this relationship, you have to learn to communicate your feelings. Learn from my fuck-ups. You have to talk shit through like adults.”
I nod, but my mind is already wandering back. I narrow my eyes, the dates running through my head, and the colour drains from my face as I realise I’ve been so consumed with everything going on lately that I hadn’t noticed I’ve missed my period.
“What’s wrong?” Bella asks, giving Red a worried look. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound harsh.”
I shake my head, emotions choking me as tears prick my eyes. “I’m late.”
Red’s mouth falls open, her eyes widening. “Oh my god, really?” I nod, a watery smile pulling at my lips. She grins, clapping her hands together. “This is perfect to get you both back on track. You can organise a date night and tell him then.”
Bella leans over, wrapping her arms around me. “This might be the best news,” she whispers.
I take a breath as she pulls away and rub my clammy hands down my jeans. “I can’t take the test alone,” I announce. “If it’s negative . . .” I swallow hard. “Well, I just need you girls there in case.”
“We got you,” Bella reassures me. “There’s no need to do it alone.”
“Let’s have a pamper evening. We can relax, do the test, and that way, if it’s neg—”
“Don’t say it, Red,” I interrupt. The last thing I need is anyone jinxing it.
Red sits in the plush beanbag on my bedroom floor with cucumber resting over her eyes, looking the complete picture of relaxed. Meanwhile, I sit impatiently in front of the mirror, my hair in tight curlers that pinch my roots.
The door bursts open, and my head snaps in that direction, watching as Bella juggles shopping bags.
“Did you get it?” I snap, then inwardly groan. “Sorry.”
“Of course,” she says calmly, resting the bags on the bed. She reaches into one and retrieves a pharmacy bag, wiggling it in my direction. I dive over the bed to grab it, my hands shaking as I peer inside.
She begins unloading the other items onto the bed. “I also got you some prenatal vitamins and some of this amazing moisturiser I used when I was pregnant.”
I stare at her wide-eyed. “Fuck, I said don’t jinx it.”
I huff out a breath then move to the bathroom, shaking my head in irritation.
I carefully remove the test from the box, eyeing it as if it’s burning me. I catch my worried reflection in the mirror and fix myself with a hard stare. I take a deep breath then whisper, “You got this.”
I rip the foil packaging as I lower to the toilet. I’m shaking so badly as I remove the cap that I almost drop the damn thing. I pant out another heavy breath, trying to slow my racing heart as I pee on the stick.
Once I’m finished, I replace the cap, rest the test face-down on the unit, then set the timer on my phone for two minutes.
I glance at the door, knowing the girls are waiting with bated breath . . .just like me. But the thought of seeing another negative result fills my heart with dread. I pull my dressing gown tighter at the waist and opt to sit on my own for the two minutes.
My hands tremble as I pick up the test, watching as the first line appears. I close my eyes tightly, mentally psyching myself up for the outcome. And when I open them again and look down, I see the second line appearing right before my eyes.
Holy shit.
I grab the box and scan the instructions again. Maybe in all the excitement. I misunderstood the two lines. Maybe I’ve got it wrong. But deep down, I already know I’m staring at a positive because I’ve done this too many times before.
My eyes fill with tears as nervous excitement builds, and then, like it’s ripped from me, I scream with happiness.
The door swings open, knocking back into the wall, and Bella and Red stare at me in anticipation. When I don’t speak, they glance at one another warily.
I lower onto the closed toilet seat, the stick still gripped tightly in my hands.
“It’s positive,” I croak, glancing up at them. “We fucking did it.”
“Oh my god,” Bella screams, her hands flying to her mouth.
Red grabs me, pulling me to my feet and wrapping her arms around me. “Congratulations,” she whispers, and I feel her smile against my shoulder.
Emotion pours from me, my tears spilling down my cheeks as I sob in her arms.
The stress from the last two years has finally come to an end. We can get back to normal. Everything is going to be perfect.
DRIFTER
I stare at my empty whiskey glass. I’m not sure how long I’ve been sitting here, but the sun has finally set and the bar is now a hive of activity. The room spins as I look around, everyone’s face becoming a blur.
“Hazel, give me another one,” I slur.
She takes my glass, pours a measure then places it back in front of me.
I’ve lost count of how many I’ve had, but it’s definitely helped numb the anger boiling inside me.
My relationship is on the brink of breakdown. The club is on lockdown waiting for the Steel fucking Delinquents to pull more shit, and Siren keeps circling me like a bad fucking nightmare I can’t seem to steer clear of.
If it’s not flirty glances sent my way, it’s subtle touches, nails dragging over my shoulder, hands gripping my bicep. Like she’s waiting to pounce. And I can’t do it anymore. It all feels too much. Too hard. Too heavy.
Maybe I need to tell her again, to make sure she understands I’m not on the menu and she needs to stay in her lane.
I push to my feet and stumble a few steps before grabbing the wall. I head unsteadily towards the pool table where Kitten is playing pool with Slider. She laughs innocently at something he says, and when I grab her arm roughly, it dies on her lips and she squeals in fright.
“Where the fuck is Siren?” I demand.
She glances down at where I’m gripping her before dragging her frightened eyes back to me. “In the dorms.”
I climb the stairs, gripping the banister like it’s a lifeline.
Then I stumble along the corridor, following the low beat of music coming from the club girls’ entertainment area.
After Hell made it clear she hated the girls hanging around the bar, dancing half-naked, especially with kids around, we sorted a space for them to do it away from the main area.
I use the wall to stabilise myself until I find the door I need. I shove it hard, and it swings open. Joker and Gears are watching Siren dance through hooded eyes, and I know they’re thinking about how they’re going to spit roast her.
“Out,” I bellow, and both men stumble to their feet, leaving quickly. They know not to push me—my authority counts as everything.
Siren smiles at me seductively, sauntering over to me, running her nails over my kutte. I grab her wrist, stopping her from circling me like I’m prey. She bites her lower lip, her eyes darkening as a laugh escapes her. The sound pisses me off more, and I grit my teeth, clenching my jaw.
She leans closer, her mouth brushing my ear. “About time,” she purrs.
“That is not why I’m here,” I growl.
My tone doesn’t scare her. She isn’t like Kitten or the rest of them.
She slips her arm from my grasp and tentatively brings her palm to my face.
I watch, like she’s moving in slow motion.
She presses it to my cheek, her fingers raking my beard, and I lean in to her touch like some desperate prick needing the warmth of her.