Chapter 13 #2
I swallow hard, tears almost choking me. One day, I know the conversation will have to take place. He’ll want to be in our child’s life, but right now, I can’t even stomach the thought of him playing dad.
The kitchen door swings open, and Red pops her head in. “The car’s waiting,” she mutters, eyeing Drifter suspiciously.
“I’ll be out in a minute.”
Drifter’s brows furrow. “Where are you going?” It comes out harsh, almost like he’s worried.
“I have a midwife appointment.”
He steps closer, his eyes full of concern. “Is everything okay?” I step back, keeping distance between us. He sighs. “At least let me take you. I’ll grab my keys.”
I press my hand to his chest, and he pauses, his eyes dropping to the contact. I shake my head. “I don’t want you there, Drifter.”
“But—”
My hand drops back to my side. “No,” I snap clearly, and he recoils slightly. “I don’t want you around me at all.”
His head lowers, and for a brief second, guilt eats away at me.
“I understand,” he eventually murmurs. “Please don’t go out alone. Take one of the guys.”
“Rock is taking us,” I mutter.
He nods, the heaviness showing in his pained expression.
It feels strange being in the backseat of Rock’s car instead of on the back of a Harley. Once Meli came along, he had to get one as the bikes were no longer practical. And I’m grateful as we head back to the club because the bike would be uncomfortable right now.
Red reaches across and places her hand over mine, stilling my nervous tapping.
“It’ll all work out,” she says softly.
I force a tight smile, but we both know it’s a lie. Nothing is ever going to be the same again. I’m pregnant with Drifter’s baby, and this should be the happiest time of my life. We tried for this. Prayed for this. And now, it feels tainted.
I’m a single mum before my child has even taken its first breath.
“It’s just us now,” I whisper, my voice cracking with emotion as I rest my hand over my stomach.
Red squeezes my fingers tighter, offering silent support.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, the vibration sharp in the quiet of the car.
Manor Medical: Appointment confirmed – 16 July 2025, 11:15am. Sexual Health Clinic.
I followed the advice of my midwife and requested the tests to check I’m clean. It’s another reminder of everything he’s done to me.
I stuff my phone back in my pocket as Rock pulls up to the clubhouse. I stare out at the building, the men lingering outside smoking, and the bikes lined up neatly, glinting in the sun. It’s a place that has always been my home, and yet it suddenly feels cold and empty.
I make my way inside and sit on the couch in the lounge, my feet tucked under me and my phone in my hand as I scroll through social media. A shadow passes over me, and then Drifter perches on the opposite couch, his eyes fixed on me.
I sigh, keeping my attention on my phone. If I ignore him, maybe he’ll get bored and leave me alone.
“Everything okay?” he asks.
“It’s all fine,” I mutter impatiently.
“And?” he pushes.
“And what?” I snap, glancing up. “You want the ins and outs of my appointment?”
“Well, it would be nice, Hell. After all, that’s my child too . . . and we’re still married.”
I scoff. “Not for much longer.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“Wanna bet? The divorce papers are upstairs right now. I just need to sign them.”
I feel his eyes on me for a silent minute before he sighs heavily then pushes to his feet and stalks off to the bar area.
Bella takes his place, and Red sits on the arm of the chair beside me. “That looked . . . uncomfortable,” Red mutters.
“Every interaction with that prick is uncomfortable,” I reply.
I open my Tinder app with only one intention in mind—to make Drifter feel even an ounce of the pain I feel right now.
I installed the app a couple of days after my return.
I haven’t done anything with it yet, given the fact I’m pregnant, hurting, and clearly on the rebound.
It’s not like I can even think about having sex with another man right now as everything is complicated enough, but maybe playing a few mind games with Drifter will make him back the fuck off.
And it wouldn’t hurt him to see I’m serious about us being over, that I’m moving forward without him.
Red peers over my shoulder, a smirk pulling at her lips. The dark, biker-looking guy on the screen has her laughing, and she swipes her finger over it. “Nope,” she says clearly. The next guy is clean-shaven with dark eyes. She swipes again, shaking her head. “Nah, he looks like a dick.”
I laugh too, arching a brow. “Have you seen what I married?”
She follows my eyes in the direction of Drifter, who’s at the bar with Gears, and we all laugh.
“Oh my god,” she says, grabbing the phone out of my hands. “He is perfect for you.”
I watch as she taps away on the screen. “Who the fuck are you setting me up with?”
She tips the screen for me to look at. The guy staring back is everything Drifter isn’t—fair-haired, clean-shaven, and he screams corporate nine-to-five.
I take the phone back and select some of his other images. His hair is intentionally messy, and it suits him. And when he smiles, he’s got cute dimples. He’s everything I wouldn’t usually go for, which makes him perfect.
A message pings on the screen, and my heart stutters. I open the chat to check what Red sent.
Me: Do you fancy being the rebound guy to a broken-hearted singleton?
I groan, bringing my eyes to Red, who smiles innocently. “Really, Red? Desperate much?”
She shrugs. “Well, you are.”
Damien: Thanks for sneaking into my inbox. Why don’t we go on a date and see if I can help?
Red peers over my shoulder again.
“Swoon,” she calls out, no doubt so Drifter can hear us. “I mean, you’d be crazy not to go on a date with him. He’s hot.”
I inhale, still eyeing Damien’s pictures. She’s right. What harm can it do?
“Why not? It’s not like I’ve got anything to lose. And let’s face it, I’m so over bikers.” I make sure to look Drifter in the eye, a smirk playing on my lips. He glares back, his face turning red as he grips his bottle of water tighter.
Red lets out a surprised squeal, dragging my attention back to her as Rock swings her over his shoulder, landing a hard slap to her backside.
“You shouldn’t be looking at other men,” he growls.
“I’m doing my girl a duty,” she explains, laughing. “There’s nothing in it, but if that’s what gets your blood pumping, maybe I should do it more often.”
Rock lets out a guttural growl and bites against her hip. She laughs harder, slapping his back and kicking her legs wildly as he carries her off upstairs.