Well hell, that shoots me right in the heart, effectively crumbling my walls a little more. Not knowing what to say for once in my life I nod my head in understanding then turn looking for Savvy and Zander. They are still at the media tents, then I remember the shit Josh pulled over there.
“Okay, so what’s with the photo op? Why would you put me in that position?”
“How could I resist having the most beautiful woman on my arm? I’m a man.”
“Not for much longer…”
We walk into the ballroom of the hotel and I can’t believe I’m actually here. This place screams money and class. You know what they say, fake it ‘til you make it and that’s what I intend on doing. But first I need to pee. I start to walk away in search of the restrooms when I feel pressure on my elbow.
“Where’re you going Ashlyn?” Josh whispers in my ear.
“Um…to pee. Is that cool with you playboy?”
Seeing the strain in his jaw I know he doesn’t like when I call him that. Oh well, it’s a joke. As I walk away I notice Josh following me. Does he expect to come in with me or something?
“Josh I think I have this covered.”
“There’s a lot of people so I’m walking you to the bathroom.”
Well okay then. When we arrive, I leave Josh in the hallway and slip into the bathroom. It’s certainly lavish. Not many bathrooms I frequent have chaise lounges in them, do people even use it? What situation would I ever be in where I need to lounge before or after doing my business? Then it clicks. How was that not my first thought? I’ve bet this thing has seen lots of action.
I’ve pondered way to long about this couch when a knock comes at the door.
“Yes?” I yell.
“Everything okay?”
I roll my eyes and proceed to unzip and shimmy my dress down my body so I can finally relieve myself. It feels like heaven every time I empty my bladder, it’s the little things in life.
“Just fine.” I shout back. I don’t need him barging through the door when my dress is around my ankles.
When I finish, I wash my hands then head back out into the hallway. I look around, but I don’t see Josh anywhere. Weird.
“Well hello beautiful.”
I look to my left and see a nicely dressed man. His features are strong, square jaw, pronounced nose, but not really my cup of tea.
“Hey.” I say hesitantly.
“Now what’s a pretty little thing like you doing here all by her lonesome?”
“Um, peeing.”
What a cheeseball. We’re standing outside the freaking bathrooms and he seems to be a few fries short of a happy meal. Maybe he’s a fighter, that would explain a lot with getting hit in the head numerous times.
“Why don’t you let me escort you back to the party? I’ll be the envy of every man in the room having the most gorgeous girl on my arm.” He winks at me and sticks his arm out.
“You’ll have to wait for that feeling because I’m all set buddy. Have a nice night.” I go to walk by him but he narrows his eyes on me then reaches out and grabs my wrist halting me. I rip my wrist from his grasp and point my finger at him.
“Don’t fucking touch me douchebag. Walk away.”
“I insist you let me escort you back into the party.” He says through gritted teeth.
“And I insist you leave me the hell alone. I’m not interested asshole.”
I hear footsteps and look over seeing Josh barreling his way towards us. Once he reaches me, he steps in front blocking the dude from my line of sight.
“What’s up Matty?” They would appear to be casually talking from an outsider stand point, but I can tell by the tone of his voice it’s anything but.
“Well if it isn’t Josh Cage. I didn’t realize they still let you into these things. They’re really lowering their standards around here.”
“Have a nice night pal.”
That’s it? He isn’t going to stick up for himself? Well if he isn’t going to…
“Shut up asshole! He-,” Josh cuts me off as Matt takes a step towards me.
“Stay away from my girl.” Josh growls out.
I’m a breath away from correcting his whole my girl statement when flashes of light catch me off guard. I look over and see a photographer little ways down the hall with his camera pointed at us.
“Still buying publicity I see. Must be horrible paying to have your picture taken. Fuck you, you’ll be getting a call from my manager.” Josh grabs my hand and starts leading me down the hall.
As we make our exit, I lift my hand in the air and flip Matt off, who is no doubt watching our retreat. God what a high! I faintly hear him talking to one of the cameras about getting Josh back into the Octagon. It’s all falling into place. This must be the guy that keeps calling him out to get back into the ring.
When we get back to our table Josh pulls out my chair and I take the seat next to Savvy.
“Where the heck have you been? They’re about to serve the food.” Savvy questions.
“Just a little mishap in the bathroom, everything’s good.”
“Did you pee your pants?”
“What? No way, why would I pee my pants?”
“I hear it’s normal with pregnancy.”
Laughter erupts from my mouth. “Where the hell are you getting your pregnancy info?”
Savvy shrugs and our food starts to get delivered to our table.
“Z, we need to talk man.” That gets everyone’s attention.
“What’s up man?”
“Not here, too many ears around. Matty cornered Ash outside the bathrooms, that should give you an idea.”
What? That explanation sounds horrible!
“Wait! You’re making it sound like I had my tongue down the dude’s throat. Nothing even close to that happened, by the way.”
Zander nods his head in understanding and I can see the tick in his jaw.
“Let’s not let that ass bag ruin our night. Let’s get a round of shots!” I look around and notice they’re all narrowing their eyes on me.
“Seriously? Obviously not me.”
Zander exits the table to get everyone a round of drinks. You’d think there would be some lackey to do that in this hoity toity party. I guess you can’t have it all.
By the time dinner is over its 9:30 and I can barely keep my eyes open. When I look over to Josh as my fifth yawn escapes my mouth, he smiles.
“Why don’t we get out of here?”
“I’ll be fine. Stay.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Josh.” I warn.
“I’m. Coming. With. You.”
I huff and head for the bathrooms. I knock on the door and hear grunts in response. People really do bump uglies on the chaise!
“I knew it! God, I hope they are done soon. My bladder is screaming at me.” Seriously, I really need to go.
Josh walks over to the men’s room and knocks. He opens the door and looks inside before ushering me over.
“Go ahead and I’ll guard the door.”
“Thanks.” I grumble
After I shut the door I notice they don’t have a couch, or any of the other cutesy stuff the girl’s bathroom has. Makes sense. If I decided to have a quickie in a bathroom I sure as shit would not choose the men’s room.
I finish up and meet Josh back in the hallway. Thankfully this time he’s still there.
As we’re walking by the other bathroom, the door flies open and a giggling Savvy and Zander exit. Let me clarify, Savvy was giggling, Zander looks every part the man that just gave it to his woman good.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Josh says.
“Don’t be jealous bro. Maybe someday Ash will let you back in her pan-… Ow, what the hell was that for?” Zander asks rubbing his nipple.
“Don’t even go there! I will pinch your other nipple.” Savvy says all business.
Zander leans down and whispers something in Savvy’s ear that causes her to blush.
“We’ll head back with you. Is that okay babe?” Sav asks Zander.
“Yeah. I already fulfilled all of my obligations. How about you Josh?”
“All set.”
Josh places his hand at the small of my back and leads me towards the exit. As I feel all the warmth from his touch seep into my body I shiver.
“Cold?” Josh whispers in my ear.
“Nope.” I step out of his reach. He looks dejected, but he needs to know I’m not his girl.
When we get back to the hotel Josh and I exit the elevator together wishing Savvy and Zander a good night. When I get to my door I take my key card out and notice Josh hanging around. Does he want to come in or something?
“Um, I think your room is over there.”
“You don’t want to hang out, maybe watch a movie?”
“Josh…” I whisper.
“I know, when you’re ready.”
“That might be never.”
“I’ll wait forever.”
CHAPTER 8
Ashlyn
Waking up I stretch and roll off the bed. I head for the bathroom and do my business. When I go to wipe, my eyes bug out when I see blood. I start to panic and become light headed, bleeding isn’t something you associate to be good in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. My mind wanders to the thought of a miscarriage.
“Shit!” I clean myself up and head out into the bedroom so I can get ready. Why did this have to happen in Vegas? My doctor’s not here and I have no clue where the closest hospital is!
I quickly get dressed and run over to Josh’s door and start banging. He answers after 30 seconds looking disheveled.
“I know you are sleep fogged, but I need you to take me to the hospital right now!” Josh pulls me into his room and sits me on the bed next to him.
“Calm down Ash. What’s the matter?”
“I’m bleeding…” I choke out.
Josh jumps up and ushers me towards the door. “No offense Josh, but I think you should put some clothes on.”
“Fuck!” He dresses in less than ten seconds and we head for the elevator making our way out of the hotel. When we jump in a cab he tells the driver he’ll give him a $200 tip if he gets us there fast.
“Josh… I’m scared.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulders pulling me against him and plants a kiss on my forehead. Having him here is everything right now. He tries keeping me calm by whispering reassurances in my ear and before I know it, we pull up in front of the Emergency Room.
Being pregnant is apparently a pass to the front of the line. Within minutes I’m in a hospital bed wearing a gown and explaining to a nurse what’s going on. A doctor arrives shortly after asking me the same questions.
“Because you’re in your first trimester I’m going to send you in for an ultrasound, just to make sure everything’s okay with the baby. There’s some bleeding but I’m not concerned with the amount.”
My nerves jump into high gear after talking to the doctor, he didn’t say everything was okay yet. I’m wheeled down to my ultrasound and Josh holds my hand the whole way. He’s been my rock so far, without him here I’d be losing my ever-loving mind.
We enter the room and I hop up on the exam table. The tech squirts cold jelly on my stomach and starts to move the wand around. My heart is beating out of my chest and I’m praying to anything that will hear me to let my baby be okay.
“And there’s baby, the heartbeat is nice and strong.”
A sob bursts from my mouth when I realize everything is okay and the baby looks healthy. I reach out my hand for Josh and he grabs it giving me a reassuring squeeze. When I look up at him I see tears in his eyes, of course I should have realized this is the first time he’s seeing our baby. A beautiful thump, thump, thump echoes around the room as the tech measures the heartbeat.
As I lay here I soak up my little one on the monitor for the rest of the ultrasound. Josh remains silent and does the same thing while rubbing my shoulder. This is a moment we should have shared during my first ultrasound, not when we’re panicked and potentially in a devastating situation.
After I’m wheeled back up to my room, they tell me the doctor will be in shortly after he goes over my ultrasound pictures.
Josh pulls up a chair, entwines our fingers together and gazes at the picture of our baby in his hands. I feel drained, almost like I’ve run a marathon.
“Do you want to know what I thought every day when I was with Marybeth?”
“Not particularly.” I mutter.
“Well, I’m going to tell you anyway. Every second of the day I wished it was you. That you were the one carrying my child, the person I was making a family with. It was insane to me because I never saw myself having kids… until I met you. I know what I did was unforgivable but I’m hoping you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I love you so much.” He places his hand on my belly. “And I love our baby beyond words. I want us to be a family, you are the love of my life and I’m so sorry for hurting you the way I did. Please say I have a chance.”
The sincerity shining through his eyes is my undoing. But can I give in so easily?
“I don’t know if I can. My heart and girly bits are saying shut up and kiss him. But my head…”
“Just tell me I have a chance.”
I slightly nod my head and he presses his forehead to my stomach. A relieved sigh escapes his lips as I hear someone clear their throat. We look over towards the door and see the doctor. Josh sits back up, taking my hand in both of his.
“It looks like everything is fine. What caused your bleeding was a subchorionic hemorrhage. In layman’s terms, you have a small clot on your uterus. It’s nothing to worry about and should dissolve on its own. Just to be careful, I’d like you to schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN when you get back home.” Josh gets up and shakes his hand, thanking him before he leaves.
“Thank Christ.” He’s definitely as relieved as I am.
“I thought we were losing the baby.” Another sob escapes my mouth. Josh leans over and connects our lips in a chaste kiss.
“Hellcat, everything is going to be okay, we’ll be okay. We’re really doing this?” He questions with so much hope in his voice.
“Just don’t push things too fast. I still have things that I need to work through.” I whisper.
“I promise I’ll never hurt you again Ash, ever.”
My stomach chooses this time to growl loudly. “Guess we’re hungry.” I laugh.
“Why don’t you go get dressed and I’ll talk to the nurse about getting out of here, or tracking you down some food.” He presses his lips to my forehead then turns me towards the bathroom with a swat on my ass.
I glare at him but can’t keep the smile off my face. As I’m getting dressed I hear Josh talking to someone in the room. I crack the door and hear the end of their conversation.
“No sex, no strenuous activity and lots of rest. Also, make sure she gets in touch with her doctor back home.” I hear the nurse say sternly.
“I will personally make sure it’s all taken care of. Thank you.” Swoon.
I exit the bathroom, sign my discharge papers, then we’re headed back to the hotel.
On our way back, we get a text from Zander saying they want to meet up for breakfast. I agree, but Josh wants to go back to our room so I can relax and put my feet up. I argue, but he won’t budge, so I compromise on everyone coming to our room and ordering breakfast in.
The cab pulls up outside the main entrance and Josh bends down and picks me up. I love being close to him, but this is embarrassing.
“I can walk you know, people are staring.” I notice a few photographers lingering about getting their cameras ready for the shot. I bury my face in the crook of his neck so I’m not seen.
“Let them, I’m carrying the mother of my child upstairs so she can rel
ax. Don’t argue with me.”
I can’t so I don’t. The fact that he’s being protective over me and the baby makes me majorly fall hard. When we get to our floor Josh steps off of the elevator and heads in the direction of my room. As we come to our door we see the whole crew waiting outside in the hallway. Savvy rushes over to us.
“Ash are you okay? Josh texted me what happened. The baby’s okay?”
“Let me get her in bed, then you can ask her questions.” Josh says not waiting on a reply.
I hand the key card to Zander and he opens the door to let us in. Josh walks us to the far side of the bed, he goes to lay me down but stops and turns me quickly. Turning he barks to Jay, “Take care of it.”
I’m confused as he brings us into the bathroom. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing to worry about Ash. Figured you might want to brush your teeth before we order breakfast.”
He places me down in front of the bathroom counter and reaches over to grab my toothbrush.
“Are you trying to tell me that I have stank breath?” I ask appalled.
“Not at all babe I just wanted to brush my own so I brought you with me.” I reluctantly grab my toothbrush from his hands and begin the process.
“Hang on, your toothbrush isn’t here.” I narrow my eyes.
“No problem, I’m good anyways.” He winks at me as I roll my eyes.
When I walk back out into the room I see Savvy pulling a sheet over the last corner of the bed, then it all clicks. There must have been blood on the sheet and Josh didn’t want me to see it.
I whirl around and quickly push Josh back into the bathroom. Once the door is closed I shove him up against it and crash my mouth to his. I bite his lip and Josh groans while he grips my ass. When I pull back we’re both breathing hard.
“Thank you for looking out for us.” I whisper.
“Always.”
We order our breakfast and as we’re waiting I explain what happened. I’m met with relieved eyes and kind words when they all hear that the baby is going to be just fine. The mood in the room shifts as everyone starts smiling at us.
Bound By Cage Box Set (Complete Series Books 1-4) : MMA Romance Page 31
