Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
KIERRA
Three Weeks Later
We’ve been back from New York for a few weeks, and life for me has changed drastically.
I no longer send money to my mother, at Draven’s insistence and after hearing him out, he’s absolutely right.
My mom was taking advantage of me, and I was allowing it.
I have also quit paying my sister’s bills, which has left me with a substantial amount of extra money in my bank account.
I’ve reduced my hours at work to only weekend shifts so that I can be around more for my nephew.
I think Draven was most pleased with that change.
What he wasn’t happy about was me ending our agreement which brought Viper to the forefront.
I explained that nothing would change between us and thankfully, he reigned his shit in.
I tried to do that months ago by refusing his money, but he just had Dexter hack into my bank account and transfer funds.
In his mind, if we ended the agreement we would be more than he was ready for or it would all be over.
Which is crazy when I think about it. Because he and I both know that he would never let me leave. At least not without a fight.
Another huge change is that we are now officially in a committed relationship which I was really shocked didn’t send Draven into a tailspin like it used to.
Oddly enough the title of boyfriend has him more settled and less cagey about what I’m doing and who I’m with.
I knew if I could just be patient, it would all be worth it, and it is worth it.
There still hasn’t been any sign of my sister.
Pinball and his club are still looking for her.
Draven said they’ve still been watching my place which we assume is in hopes of her showing up there.
I think they’re wasting their time but what do I know?
Sierra hasn’t even attempted to contact me about Nash, and the longer this goes on the more I realize she isn’t cut out to be a mother.
Draven and I have actually been talking about how to proceed going forward so that Nash is protected.
He’s assured me that when the time comes, he’ll figure it out and that I don’t need to worry about anything, because he has it all under control.
I’m so thankful that he does because all the stress has had me sick to my stomach lately.
“K.K., I’m hungry,” Nash hollers from his spot on the couch.
“I’m working on it, buddy. Just watch your show, and it will be ready soon,” I yell back.
I’ve been cooking all afternoon since waking up craving Ropa Vieja.
I had Draven send a prospect to the store for all the ingredients since he wouldn’t let me go myself.
The scent of Cuban cuisine has taken over Draven’s house, and it’s everything I can do not to drool all over everything.
This is another thing that has become a norm for me.
I cook dinner for the three of us several times a week, and once a week I go over to the clubhouse and help G put together a big spread for everyone.
The guys have really been enjoying the Cuban dishes that we’ve put in front of them.
I’m not used to all the domesticity, but I must admit, I’m finding that I like it more than I thought I would.
Viper is usually gone most of the day and comes in to eat with us before going back to the clubhouse for a few more hours.
Then he’ll come home and spend the rest of the night with Nash and me.
In those hours, I get to see a completely different man than I ever got to witness before.
More and more he’s letting his guard down and letting me see this other side of him that is responsible for Sadie turning out how she did.
I jump when strong arms wrap around me, startling me. “Smells good in here,” Draven hums against my neck.
“Hungry, babe?” I ask, stirring the stew that’s almost ready.
“Starved,” he growls, biting down, making me giggle.
“For food, Draven.” I reach back and smack his thigh.
“Is it time to eat?” Sadie shouts from the front door.
I didn’t realize she was coming over today, but I have loved spending time with her since staying here with Draven.
She’s been coming by a few times a week and has even stayed for dinner a few times too.
I know Draven is loving that she’s been coming home more often.
“Almost.” I laugh when Draven growls from being interrupted by his daughter’s presence. He’s always on his best behavior when she’s around which I find hilarious because with anyone else he doesn’t care at all.
“Thank God. I’m starving,” she groans, coming into the kitchen and hopping up onto the counter next to me. “Hey, daddy,” she chirps, giving him an innocent smile that I’m not buying. She’s up to something.
“What do you want?” He raises his eyebrow, clearly knowing his daughter better than anyone.
“Nothing. Well, actually since you asked, I was hoping that you could give me some money so I can go shopping.”
“No. You want money for that kind of shit, you need to get a job, babygirl. I pay for school, your living arrangements, your car, and food. Anything else is on you” he reminds her, earning himself a huff of annoyance.
I happen to agree though. Never too early to learn a good work ethic.
I leave them to duke it out while I pull down some dishes from the cabinet and get our dinner on the table.
“Ready to eat, Nash?” I call into the living room as I’m setting the last dish on the table.
“Yeah,” he squeals back way too loudly as he comes barreling into the kitchen.
“Uh, no. Go wash your hands, kiddo.” He should know better by now. Little monster.
“Fine,” he whines and I swear, he and Sadie are on a roll with their woe is me attitude today.
“You guys ready to eat?” I ask, coming back into the kitchen just as Draven is handing Sadie his credit card. Sucker.
“Yeah,” they both say at the same time, making me chuckle. Over the last few weeks, I have learned that these two are so alike it’s almost disturbing. They have the same mannerisms and the same thoughts about most things.
“Good because I have to get ready for work soon.” I grab mine and Nash’s cups and take my seat at the table.
We spend the next half hour eating and catching up.
Once everyone has eaten, I get the mess cleaned up and head upstairs to get ready for work.
Like the gem she is, Sadie volunteers to take Nash for the night since she doesn’t have school tomorrow, and Draven goes back to the clubhouse to finish up whatever it is he does all day over there.
This feeling of having so many people step up and do their part is not something I was used to.
It’s a nice feeling now that I do, and I need all the good feelings I can get today.
I’ve been freaking out a little bit most of the day, but I keep telling myself not to jump to conclusions until I know for sure.
I’m a little shocked that Draven didn’t notice I was out of sorts earlier.
See, I should have started my period a few days ago, and at this point, I’m six days late which is something that has never happened to me before.
My plan is to stop in at the pharmacy and pick up a pregnancy test before going to work tonight.
“Jesus, I hope it’s just the stress,” I mumble to myself as I’m pulling out of the compound.
I really start to get nervous an hour later when I spot the prospect a few cars down from mine as I’m coming out of the pharmacy.
I quickly shove the test into my purse because the last thing I need is one of Draven’s brothers telling him what I bought and having him flip his lid before I even know if there’s anything to worry about.
I pray my being late is a stress reaction to all the bullshit going on with my sister and that I’m not actually pregnant.
I’m nowhere near ready to be a mother, and I’m fairly certain Draven doesn’t want any more children.
I’m terrified because I know the answer is going to change everything if it’s positive.
“Breathe, Kierra. Don’t jump to conclusions,” I mumble to myself as I pull out of the pharmacy and make my way across town to HD.
Climbing out of my car, I head for the back door and nod at Jimmy, who’s already holding it open for me.
With all the shit swirling around with the CKs, Draven has increased security here since I spend my weekend nights on stage.
As soon as I pass through the door, I quickly bypass the dressing room, going straight to the bathroom, then lock the door.
Digging the box out of my purse, I read the instructions, and then go into the stall, ready to get this over with.
Hovering over the toilet, I pee on the little plastic stick that holds the answer to my future.
My heart starts to beat wildly in my chest as I set the test on the back of the toilet, then leave the stall to pace the bathroom.
Shaking out my hands that are starting to go numb, I start to panic the closer I get to that three-minute mark.
This is bad. This is so bad; I just know it.
What the fuck am I going to do if it's actually positive? Looking at my phone I see it’s been five minutes and take a deep breath, before moving back into the stall to see what the test says.
“Fuck,” I breathe. The bright pink plus sign is not what I was hoping for.
Shit, this is really bad. Placing my hand on my belly, I start to feel sick when the enormity of knowing for sure hits me.
Shoving the test back in the box, I back out of the stall and move to the sink to wash my hands.
“I’ll figure it out, I always do,” I say to my reflection in the mirror.
For now, I need to get to work and get tonight over with.