Chapter 25
Reece
Ishut the bedroom door behind me. Aurora sits on the edge of the bed, still in Jackson’s clothes. The hurt in her eyes guts me, and I drop to my knees and rest my head on her stomach.
“I’m not very good at apologies, and I can’t undo what I did or said.” I wrap my arm around her and hold her close. “But can I explain? Can I tell you one thing?”
Her hair falls in soft waves over her shoulders. She smells of lavender and mint—the oils she’s been using to ease her muscle tension and nausea—and I long to climb into bed with her, breathe her in as we sleep.
She stays silent, palms braced on the mattress behind her, and I continue.
“I hate baths. Being naked, having you see all my scars—it makes my skin crawl. I can handle it if I’m focused on you, but then you wanna talk about feelings…
” Maybe, with time, it won’t be so jarring, and we’ll do intimate things, like shower together, but right now, it’s too much.
“I feel exposed fully dressed, without a gun, a vest, and my pockets full of gear. I have tattoos to hide my stretch marks and scars, just to stay sane. I’m trying—for you—but I was already on edge in the bath.
” I sound pathetic and weak. I don’t even tell Lucas this shit.
I wait for her to say something—anything. The silence kills me more than her anger. The plumber recovered the ring; it’s in its box, waiting to be cleaned. Now, all that’s left is her forgiveness.
Her fingers finally thread through my hair, and I almost cry with relief. My eyes actually well up.
She draws a slow, deep breath and releases it with a sigh. “Why can’t you tell me what you don’t like?”
I force myself to meet her gaze. “I tried, remember? I told you I didn’t want you changing my bandages or helping me dress or shower, and you got upset.
” I hear how much it sounds as if I’m blaming her, and I shake my head.
“None of that matters. This is my problem, not yours. I shouldn’t have lost control, shouldn’t have snapped at you, and taken your ring. ”
Her expression softens, but hurt lingers in her eyes. “Do you truly mean that, or are you just saying it while secretly hating that I’m wearing Jackson’s ring?”
I speak my mind, no holding back. “Of course I don’t like you wearing another man’s ring. There’s no reason for it—you’re not married. Still, I shouldn’t have taken it because it means something to you.”
“It’s an engagement ring—our marital status doesn’t change that.”
“I thought we were all equals in this relationship. Why is his claim on you so visible while I have nothing?”
“Because he asked me, and I said yes.” Her tone is flat, irritated. “Don’t start talking in circles. Do you need to mark me like property? Do you want to be engaged?”
“Yes,” I answer without hesitation.
“Then what needs to happen?”
“I ask. I give you a ring. I get it.”
“Good. I’m glad we cleared that up.” She doesn’t roll her eyes, but her words are laced with sarcasm.
“Is that it? Are we good?” Because I am eager to climb into this bed and feel her next to me.
“No.” She shakes her head, brows pinched. “What about the baby? Do you resent him, too, since he’s not yours?”
I splay my hand over the curve of her stomach. “Not at all. I like you pregnant. I wish the baby were mine. I hope we can have one someday.” I stop myself from tugging on my lip piercing and giving away my unease. “Sorry—I know that’s not normal.”
“Why are you sorry? Jackson has said the same thing.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “Jackson isn’t exactly normal.”
“But he’s honest. This is who we are—a complicated, messy, unorthodox family. Quit trying to be normal. None of us are.”
The baby shifts beneath my palm, and this time, I’m ready for it.
I don’t retreat. Instead, I lean forward and kiss her belly.
“Can we get through this, please? I’ll do better.
I’ll communicate with you. I’ll be more open.
I promise.” My throat is tight, my voice barely above a whisper.
“I can’t picture my life without you. When it’s just us—away from all the noise—we’re perfect. ”
“Reece,” she stresses, teeth clenched, “I love our time alone, but this noise is my life. We’re moving to New York.
Ethan gave up coaching to be closer. Jax will be traveling less.
I’m having a baby. Your sister and Danny are here.
The twins and Lucas live downstairs. I hope my grandmother will move here as well.
We’re a family. The only person dragging their feet is you. ”
Her words hit me like a physical blow. The truth stings, but I need to hear it. I can’t separate Aurora from her life—from Jax, Ethan, and the baby. Fighting that reality has only hurt us. The compartmentalized walls I built to survive my childhood and combat don’t work here.
Aurora, Jax, Ethan, and the rest of the Rossis have shown me what family is. They’ve welcomed Harper, Danny, and Lucas and proved their loyalty. It’s time I let go of my insecurities and try to do the same.
“I know,” I admit, the lump in my throat too painful to say anything else.
Her glassy eyes search mine. “Be honest with me. Is this too much? Do you need space to figure it out?” Tears slip down her cheek. “Because I need you to decide before Eli gets here.”
I swallow hard and brush away her tears with my knuckles.
“No, I don’t need space. I need to eliminate outside stressors so I can focus on you and the baby.
That’s it. It’s what I’d do if this baby were mine, and it’s what I’ll do before he’s born.
My life doesn’t exist without you—and Eli. ” It’s that fucking simple.
She tilts her head. “Like what? You can’t eliminate Jax.”
“Not Jax,” I grumble. “Bennett, Daniel, and my father. I can’t be fully present for you, mentally and emotionally, with them in my head.”
Her face twists with pain, not sadness. She shifts on the bed, one hand bracing her hip. “Sorry. My back is killing me today.”
I rise to my feet and remove my brace. “Lie on your side. I’ll get the maternity pillow.”
She winces. “I tried lying down with a pillow between my knees. It doesn’t help. I can’t get comfortable.”
I settle onto the mattress behind her, straddling her, and begin massaging the base of her spine with my thumbs. “The baby is growing. Your body is adjusting. Stretching will help.”
“Okay. Can I tell you one thing?” she echoes my earlier words.
“I don’t care if the ring is a tracker or if Jax puts cameras through the house.
Just like I don’t care if Ethan is controlling and will spank me with his belt if I leave without permission.
” She flicks her wrist in a dismissive gesture.
“Whatever calms their obsessive anxiety.”
I crane my neck to look at her. “Has he? Spanked you with a belt?”
She grins. “Yes.”
Since she’s smiling, it couldn’t have been too harsh.
“Why?”
She scoffs with a hint of humor. “For texting you.”
I let out a low hum. “Interesting.”
“Interesting? How’s that interesting?”
“Next time I tell you not to have pancakes and Jackson makes them anyway, I’m going to slap your ass.” I resume massaging her back.
“Oh my God, Reece. Are you seriously mad that Jax made me pancakes after you said no?”
Might’ve ruined my whole fucking day. “Maybe. Are you still angry with me?”
“Yes.” She chuckles. “You’re so stubborn.”