Chapter 2
WREN
Fuck me.
Of course, Axel came to the hospital to meet Lily. He’s Grayson’s best friend. I should have known better, but I didn’t, and here I am, looking like a fucking idiot as I try to avoid eye contact with him.
I can feel his eyes on me as everyone takes their turn holding the baby. My best friend did a damn good job. Lily is perfect, just like her brother. Grayson and Sophie make the cutest, sweetest kids.
I got here an hour ago and held Lily until she got hungry.
I could have held her forever. Holding her made me ache for a child.
I’ve always wanted to be a mom someday, but the older I get, the less likely I feel like it’s going to happen.
That may seem dramatic, but I have dated lots of guys, and none of them had husband potential, let alone dad potential.
I will not subject my future children to that.
No, I want what my parents had. Real love.
I half ass listen to everyone as they talk, hoping that I’m smiling and laughing when it’s appropriate, but when I lock eyes with Sophie, I know that I’ve failed. Her eyes are narrowed on me, like she can tell something is off, and she’s not wrong.
I know that I left last night, but I regretted it the moment I got home. No, I wasn’t ready to talk to Axel, but I should have stayed and heard him out. There’s really no going back, though. That was a once in a lifetime experience and I doubt that Axel would give in like that again.
I try to brush Sophie off with a smile, but it’s weak and she sees that. Her brow furrows and she goes to speak, but I shake my head and unintentionally look at Axel. Her eyes widen but she nods her head anyways.
“Do you want to hold her, Ax?” Grayson asks.
“Uh, sure,” Axel murmurs. “Let me just wash my hands first.”
I watch as he walks into the ensuite bathroom, his powerful thighs flexing against his jeans and the skull and crown on the back of his cut on full display.
I shake my head to clear my thoughts and find Rowan watching me with a smirk.
I glare at him, only making him laugh. Everly turns toward us with a knowing smile, and I close my eyes in frustration. Who doesn’t know about last night?
Axel walks back into the room and over to the chair beside the bed.
He sits down and Gray passes him Lily. I watch on as Axel’s muscular arms hold Lily protectively, his eyes looking down at her in wonder.
My heart clenches at the sight. Is there anything more attractive than a large, muscular, tough man holding a small baby? Ugh, my ovaries.
“You’re going to be one of the safest little girls in town,” Axel murmurs softly.
“I know that’s right,” Grayson chuckles.
“Oh boy,” Sophie sighs. “Don’t start the overprotective stuff already, she hasn’t even been here for twenty-four hours.”
Grayson wraps his arm around her as he sits beside her on the bed. “Hey, it’s not being overprotective, it’s just being smart. Club kids are always our priority.”
“As long as you don’t let it stifle her,” I say before thinking and wince when everyone looks at me.
“Club life doesn’t stifle everyone,” Axel mutters.
“Says the man who grew up in the club,” I gripe. “It’s a little different for the women.”
“Oh, that’s rich. Don’t act like you weren’t allowed to do whatever you wanted to do.”
“Excuse me?” I gasp as everyone’s eyes ping pong between the two of us. “Things were way different for me and Sophie growing up in the club than the three of you,” I bark.
Before Axel can say anything else, Grayson speaks up. “Enough. If you two want to bicker, take it somewhere else. This isn’t the time or place.”
I wince and apologize. “I’m sorry, guys,” I murmur, properly chastised.
“I’m actually going to head out; I need to get a few things ready for work tomorrow.
” I stand and grab my bag before heading over to give Sophie another hug.
“You did really good, Soph. I love you and I’ll talk to you tomorrow. ”
“I love you, too,” she murmurs into my shoulder. “You sure you’re okay?” She whispers.
I nod and force a smile. “I’m good. Bye guys,” I tell the room without looking at them.
I push through the door and into the hallway, quickly walking through the hospital and out to my car. I can’t climb inside fast enough; I barely start the engine and buckle my seatbelt before I’m off.
Could that have been any more awkward? I don’t fucking think so.
I felt so damn attracted to Axel in that moment and then he had to go and ruin it by opening his big fat mouth.
He doesn’t understand what it’s like to grow up as a woman in this club.
You’re not treated poorly, at least not nowadays, but every move you make is watched.
You can’t do anything to embarrass the club.
You can’t trust outsiders. You can’t go on a date without permission.
Yet, the guys are allowed to run free. It was a double standard that I hope Grayson will change for the girls in the club now.
There’s nothing wrong with keeping the kiddos safe, but the same standards should be met for all the kids.
I was so lost in thought that I don’t even remember the drive home.
I park my SUV and hop out, walking down the sidewalk to my apartment.
Chills rush down my spine as I insert the key.
I stop and look around, thinking I’ll find someone staring at me, but I come up blank.
I frown and shake my head; this is the second time I’ve had the feeling that someone was watching me in the last two days.
I brush off the nervous feeling and walk inside, though, locking the door right after it closes.
I really do have a few things to get done before work tomorrow.
Lenny has clients other than the club, and right now we’re working a case of custody for a woman from a town over.
Her husband was an alcoholic and abusive, not only to her, but to their two children.
I know that Lenny and I are going to work out butts off to make this happen, but we have to hope the asshole shows up to court, first. He left town after he was released on bail.
I sigh and walk into my bathroom, grabbing a makeup wipe to clean my face. I don’t know what I’m going to do about Axel. After today, I don’t want to be around him, but I don’t know if I can stay away after what we shared last night.