Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
“That’s not on you, Marcel. That’s me. And her. It has nothing to do with you.”
What the hell kind of bullshit is he trying to sell me? “It has everything to do with me. You think she knew?”
“It’s not an excuse, but I was a kid. I never thought—”
“Jesus, Rock. I don’t blame you. I can’t believe she roped my father…” Embarrassment and shame swallow the rest of my words.
“What do you want, Marcel? What can I do to make this better?”
Make this better? There’s no way to do that. I want to shake off every bit of my “family” that I can. “How would you feel…? Would you…?” I take a deep breath. “I want to take your last name.”
Rock stares at me, surprise darkening his eyes. “Yeah. Yes. Absolutely.” His voice picks up speed and enthusiasm. “There’s nothing I’d like more.”
How will I explain that to everyone? Shit, Wrath already calls me Rock’s mini-me. They’ll think— “Not now. I still gotta figure out a way to explain this to Heidi, and I don’t know how you feel about telling the club.”
“I’ll tell them right fucking now.” Rock’s body jerks as if he’s ready to run into the clubhouse and shout out the news. “No hesitation. None, Marcel.”
Too much, too soon.
CHAPTER SIX
Teller
“Sunshine, I’m home,” I call out as I step into the house. It’s unusual for Charlotte not to meet me at the door.
Unless she’s waiting in our room with a surprise. The thought of her sprawled out on our bed in some sexy outfit propels me up the stairs. Every inch of our old farmhouse has been remodeled but the old stairs still creak in certain spots. There’s no sneaking up on Charlotte unless she’s in the shower or maybe asleep.
The bedroom’s dark. As my eyes adjust, the faint shapes of a dresser, nightstands, and our bed fall into place.
She has to be home. Her car was in its usual spot. Unless she’s at Rock and Hope’s. Or she’s visiting her brother.
A soft sniffle breaks the silence.
“Char?” I push the door open wider and slide my hand along the wall, searching for the light switch.
“Don’t,” she says in a hoarse whisper.
“What’s wrong?” I cross to the bed and find her wrapped in a ball of blankets. “Hey, are you sick?”
“No.”
Cold fear strikes me in the chest. Our little secret. The news we haven’t shared with anyone yet. It was too soon.
“Tell me.” I need to know, even if I’m afraid of what she’s going to say.
Instead of words, she grips my arm. “I got my period while you were gone.”
“Shit.”
“I went to the doctor—”
“By yourself?”
Her face screws into a scowl. “They told me miscarriages are common this early.” The bitterness in her voice fades. She sniffles. “They acted like I was ridiculous for even coming in and sent me home.”
“Fuck. Are you serious?”
She groans and curls up even tighter.
“Are you in pain?”
She hums a noise that I interpret as a yes.
“Should we go to the hospital? Or another doctor?” I need to do something. Wrap my hands around the neck of the doctor who so callously sent her home and squeeze really hard. How could I be off wallowing like a pussy when my girl was going through this alone?
“Did you tell anyone? Call someone to go with you?”
“No,” she groans. “Hope’s close to her due date. And I didn’t think I could see Heidi right now.”
“Charlotte.” I sigh and stand. “You should’ve called me. I would’ve come back right away.”
“Don’t go,” she pleads.
“I ain’t going anywhere, Sunshine.” I strip off my clothes and tug on the blankets. “Scoot over.”
She slides a few inches away. Enough for me to ease my big frame onto the mattress and pull the covers over us. Her skin’s hot against my fingers. “Are you all right?”
“No. I’m not okay at all.”
“I mean…” Fuck, why am I asking her stupid questions? I skim the back of my hand over her cheek and against her forehead. She’s warm but not feverish. At least, I don’t think so. “Are you sure we shouldn’t go to the hospital?”
“I’m sure.” A little softer she adds, “Just hold me.”
Those three simple words burrow deep and threaten to shatter my heart. I slide one arm under her body and pull her close, curling myself around her in an attempt to protect her from the world. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here, Sunshine.”
“It’s okay.” She sighs and turns to face me. “Probably better that you weren’t. You might’ve punched the doctor for being mean to me.”
I lean in and kiss her forehead. “Can’t promise I’m not going to hunt her down later.”
“How’d it go?”
“What? My ride?”
“You stopped to see Rock, didn’t you?”
That’s the last thing I want to talk about now. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
“No. Please. I need…to hear your voice. Tell me about your trip. Take my mind off of…things.”