We had been at the hospital for a couple of hours. Cooper was awake now and sitting in my lap. He had several tests done and they had all come back fine.
“Mr. Green.” I looked up as a female doctor walked towards us. I passed Cooper over to Lottie and stood up to greet her.
“Is everything ok?”
“Everything looks good. His temperature is a little high and he is a little dehydrated. I’ll prescribe you some medicine to help bring his temperature down. Try and get him to drink as much as possible. He should be back to normal within a few days.”
“Thanks, doc.” I sighed in relief that it wasn’t anything too serious. I was just eager to get him home. I watched as she walked away before I turned back to Lottie. “He’s going to be fine. Just need to wait on some medicine for him.” I sat in the chair next to Lottie, pressed my head on the back of it and closed my eyes. What would I have done without Lottie? She suggested that I brought him here. If I hadn’t of seen her, could Cooper have gotten really ill overnight? I needed help with him and desperately. “Thank you for helping me today.” I smiled at her.
“I love him just as much as you do.” She rubbed his back and he looked at her with a goofy smile covering his face and I couldn’t help but smile too.
I pulled the car in through the gates that Jono opened for me and parked in front of the clubhouse doors but kept the engine running.
“Are you not coming in?” she asked.
“Na, I’m gonna get him home.” I glanced into the back seat to see that he was fast asleep again.
“Do you want me to come and help? Stay with you?”
“No. We’ll be fine. Besides, looks like someone is waiting on you.” I nodded my head to the front doors and Lottie’s eyes followed the same direction. Toes was standing there waiting for her, he rearranged his junk in his jeans and smirked at Lottie. She sighed before kissing me on the cheek and climbing out of the car. As soon as she was within reaching distance of Toes, he pulled her into his arms. She gazed at me over her shoulder. I waved my hand before throwing the car in reverse and turning around to head home.
Once Cooper was settled in his cot, I grabbed a beer from the fridge and slouched back into the sofa. I grabbed my mobile phone from the inside of my leather jacket and flipped it over in my hand. Why the hell was it turned off? Did the battery die? I powered it back up and the screen read battery at seventy two percent. It started buzzing in my hand and five notifications popped up. Two missed calls and three text messages. Shit, Stef. The missed calls and messages were from her.
S: Hey, I’m finishing at five thirty. Where shall I meet you? x
S: You not talking to me? lol x
S: I guess I’ll take the hint. See you around.
“Fuck!” I swore as I hit her name with my thumb and pressed the phone to my ear. It rang and rang but no answer, I tried again straight away before sending her a text.
P: Sorry, babe. I’ll explain it all when I see you. Can you come to my place? X
* * *
Stef
I had called Pup twice and sent him a couple of text messages. Was he blowing me off? Why would he do that after introducing me to his son? I parked my bike next to my brother’s car and bike in his driveway before climbing off and heading into the house.
“Aaahhhh!” I screamed before covering my eyes. “Seriously, guys, you do have a bedroom.” I was answered by the booming laughter from my brother and the giggles from his girlfriend. He had her bent over the back of the sofa, her blonde hair was in his grasp as he pounded into her. Gross. I hurried away before they started up again.
“I thought you were out tonight?” he called after me.
“Change of plans.” I quickly shut my bedroom door behind me and flung myself onto the bed. I didn’t need Evan telling me that he told me so about Pup. Did he just use me for sex? My chest constricted when I thought about him and my eyes welled with tears. What the fuck was going on with me? I had only seen him a couple of times but he had already managed to knock me off my feet.
I was just about to venture out into the hallway to the bathroom when my door was flung open.
“Hey,” I complained. “I could have been naked or anything.”
“Once you’ve seen one naked chick you’ve seen them all.” Evan shrugged.
“But not your sister.”
“Did you tell her?” His girlfriend pushed past him and shoved her left hand in my face. “We’re getting married,” she squealed.
“What?” I frowned, looking at my brother. They had only been seeing each other for a couple of months. Were they serious?
“Once you find the one you want to be with forever, what’s the point in waiting? Right, baby?” He pulled his now fiancée into him and devoured her mouth.
“Uh, excuse me. Save that for another room in the house. I’m going for a shower.” They pulled apart as I tried ushering them out of my room. I stopped and looked over my shoulder when my phone started ringing.
“You gonna answer that?” Evan asked.
“No. I’m going to take a shower.” I pushed at his back until he was out of my room. “Oh and congratulations.” I smiled at them both, even though I thought it was way too soon.
A shower was exactly what I needed after a day like today. I had to deal with oil changes and changing tyres and I was filthy by the end of the day. I stepped back into my room wearing my white cotton pyjamas that were covered in black skulls whilst still towel drying my hair, I couldn’t be bothered to dry it so I flung it up into a bun instead. Once I was settled onto my bed, I grabbed my phone and kindle. My phone was flashing at me. I had a text from Pup.
P: Sorry, babe. I’ll explain it all when I see you. Can you come to my place? X
I threw my phone onto my bedside table, not bothering to reply. I opened my kindle up to see what new books have been delivered today. I was awful for pre-ordering books and forgetting when they came out. I settled on a rockstar book.
After thirty minutes of trying to read I couldn’t concentrate, I kept looking back at my phone. What if he had a good reason not to meet me? What if he was out on club business? I sighed in defeat and reached out for it.
S: I’m already in bed. What’s up?
I didn’t have to wait long for a reply.
P: Cooper got sick and I had to take him to the hospital.
I sat up in bed and threw my legs over the side. Shit, was I the worst girlfriend ever? Not being there when he needed me? Wait, was I even his girlfriend?
S: I’m so sorry you had to do that by yourself. Can I do anything? X
P: Lottie came with me. Are you working tomorrow?
Lottie? The club whore went with him to the hospital? Why did dread fill my stomach? Why did I feel like he had cheated on me? Why was he taking her with him? He said she wasn’t his mum.
S: Is he ok now?
P: Yeah fast asleep. I’ll come and see you tomorrow.
S: You should be taking care of your family, not seeing me.
P: I want to see you. I missed you today. Can I call you?
He didn’t wait for me to answer before his name was filling up my screen. My finger hovered over the green accept button but I just couldn’t press it. I was annoyed and upset that he took Lottie with him to the hospital and didn’t even bother calling or sending me a text. I would have been there for both of them, Pup and Cooper.
I threw my phone back onto my bedside table along with my kindle and crawled under the covers, hoping sleep would help me forget him, at least for tonight.
Stef
I had waited around all day yesterday to see if Pup was going to show up and he made no appearance. Maybe Cooper was still ill, or he was busy with Lottie. That thought alone made me feel sick.
How could one guy have an impact on me when I had only known him for such a short time? My phone started ringing and I searched under all the invoices that littered my desk looking for it. When I found it, I smiled at my best friend calling me.
; “Hey, bride-to-be.”
“Stef. Where the hell are you?” Lizzy shouted down the phone.
“I’m at work…”
“You’re meant to be here,” she cut me off.
“I’m meant to be where?” I was only at work today sorting through invoices and paperwork, I had a busy week ahead of me.
“At the bridal shop.”
“Shit. It’s dress fitting day, isn’t it?” How could I forget that? I slammed the lid to my laptop close, grabbed my bag and helmet and shut down the rolling door. “I’m on my way. I’m so sorry.” I hung up the phone, shoved it in my pocket and made the short trip into town. Luckily, I was able to park right outside the dress shop.
I flew inside and made my apologies to everyone. There were four bridesmaids altogether. Me, Becca, Stacy and Lydia.
“Where have you been?” Lydia asked handing me a glass of prosecco. “She’s stressed out.”
“Why is she stressed out?” I asked, taking a sip from my glass.
“The measurements are all wrong. It doesn’t fit!” Lizzy cried as she came out of the dressing room, holding her dress up against her body. I hurried over to her, placing my glass on a nearby table.
“Sweetie, what’s wrong.” I sat next to her on the sofa she landed in.
“It’s all wrong, it’s all ruined. What am I going to do?” She cried into her hands that were covering her face.
“Tell me what you’re talking about.”
“I’m pregnant,” she cried. Becca, Stacy, Lydia and me all screamed in delight. The other girls rushed over to us.
“That’s great news.” I beamed at her.
“What about Scott?” She sniffled loudly. A nearby assistant handed her a tissue; probably worried that her mascara would run and ruin the dress.
“Sweetie, he’s always wanted babies with you. He’s been trying to knock you up for the last five years.” I laughed.
“It’s just bad timing.” She sighed.
“Do you want to postpone the wedding until after you’ve had the baby?” Becca asked.
“No!” Lizzy squealed, eyes opened wide.
“How far along are you?” Stacy asked.
“I only did a test yesterday, so not sure.” She shrugged her shoulders.
“Sweetie, you’re getting married in three weeks. You’re not even showing.” I tried to make her feel better.
“What about the dress?”
“Miss, we can alter this one again? Or pick out another one?” The assistant offered, waving her hand around all the dresses.
“I love this dress though, the way it flows down to the floor and all the sparkly bits.”
“How about we adjust the top into a corset at the back, add ties in instead of buttons. Then it can be adjusted to fit on the day.”
“That sounds perfect, doesn’t it, Lizzy?” Becca smiled at her sister.
“Yes. Thank you.” She climbed to her feet. “I’ll go and take it off.”
“Ladies, here are your dresses.” Another assistant came out pulling a rail with her. Our dresses were lined up. We all grabbed the one that had our names attached and headed into a dressing room. The material was silk, the dresses were silver and stopped at the floor with a halter neck fastening, which left my entire back bare down to the bottom of my spine. It fit like a glove. I had better watch what I eat in the next three weeks else this dress won’t fit on the day.
I pulled back the curtain and stepped out to show Lizzy. She jumped up from the sofa and squealed as she clapped her hands.
“You look fucking amazing. Where are your shoes?”
“I haven’t got any shoes yet.”
“Yeah, I ordered them online for you. Didn’t they arrive?”
“I haven’t seen any.” I stopped talking and looked outside when I heard the familiar rumble of motorbikes. My heart rate sped up as I saw Pup standing outside with another guy. Did he know where I was? Just as I thought that, his eyes shot up and connected with mine through the window. I couldn’t stop my feet from moving through the shop. I picked up the bottom of my dress as it was a bit too long before I pulled open the door and Pup strode closer to me.
“Fuck, babe. You look insanely hot.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I saw your bike parked here.” He pointed at my bike. “I wanted to see you.”
“Now’s not a good time.”
“Hey, baby, I brought your shoes for you.” I looked up to see Sam, my ex, standing in front of me. He placed his hand on my tummy and tried to push me back into the shop. I glanced at Pup and his hands were balled into fists at his sides and his jaw was clenched.
“Don’t call me that and get your hands off me.” I pushed his hand away before I stormed back into the shop and over to Lizzy and the girls. “Your brother is here,” I told Lizzy and Becca.
“Sam, what are you doing here?” Lizzy asked as he stepped into the bridal shop followed by Pup.
“I thought you’d need Steffi’s shoes.” He waved the box at her.
“We do. Thank you.” She took the box from him and kissed him on the cheek. “Now you can go.”
“Can I talk to you?” he asked me as he picked up my hand. I pulled it back like he had stung me.
“No way.” Pup growled as he stepped up behind me and wound his arm around my waist.
“Who the fuck is this?” Sam shouted, clearly annoyed.
“Her boyfriend,” Pup answered. I could just imagine the smirk that would be on his face right about now.
“I’m going to change.” I pushed Pup’s hand off me and headed for the dressing room.
“Miss, we just need you to try on the shoes first in case the dress needs to be adjusted.” The assistant said. Lizzy handed me the box and I placed the shoes on the floor to slip my feet into them. As I wobbled, trying to regain my balance, Pup was knelt on the floor in front of me in an instant; helping me with the shoes. As he went to stand up, he grazed his hand up my calf muscle and a need for him pulled in my tummy.
“I want to fuck you in nothing but these shoes,” he whispered in my ear.
“Please can you get rid of him?” I nodded at my ex.
“Of course.” I smiled at him before he strolled away. I turned towards the floor length mirror, I did look good.
“The length is perfect,” Lizzy squealed out as she stood beside me. “You ok?” she whispered.
“Yeah.” I sighed. “I have to get used to seeing him.” Just as I was about to head into the dressing room, I heard angry voices.
“She doesn’t want you here,” Pup growled at him.
“Steffi please,” he begged as he tried side stepping around Pup. Pup placed his hand on Sam’s chest and pushed him back. “Steffi, I made a mistake. A big one. Please, I still love you.” I stormed over to them and Sam stopped struggling against Pup, so he stepped back.
“You made a massive mistake. You still love me? Well tough. If you loved me that much you wouldn’t have stuck that into some slut.” I took a deep breath to calm myself down. “I’ve had better than you. I have someone much better than you.” I turned towards Pup, gripped the back of his neck and pulled his lips to mine. He placed his hand on my bare back and yanked me closer to him, I opened my mouth on a gasp and his tongue sought out mine.
I pulled back once I heard the bell above the door chime. Pup’s eyes were glazed over and I could feel his arousal against my stomach.
“You’re amazing,” he mumbled against my lips before kissing me once more.
“Well don’t you forget it.” I smiled at him as I stepped back to go and get changed. “Oh and Pup?” I called out over my shoulder. He shot his chin into the air waiting for me to carry on.
“Get rid of that club whore. I’m fed up of her touching what’s mine.”
The girls all howled with laughter as a big bright smile covered his face. He rubbed at his chin before turning around and walking out of the shop.
Pup
Well, if that didn’t make my c
ock hard I don’t know what will. Hearing Stef claim me was the biggest turn on ever.
“Alright, man?” Iron asked as he leant against his bike.
“Yeah.” I smiled like the cat that got the cream.
“That dude didn’t look happy when he left the shop.”
“That was her ex. He cheated on her and now wants her back. Oh and she just told me to get rid of Lottie.”
“Get rid of her? As in kick her out of the club? Only Prez can do that.”
“I don’t know what she means. I’ll talk to her later about it.”
“Isn’t Coop with her?”
“Yeah.” I ran my hand over my face. “Let’s get back to the club.” I swung my leg over the seat and shoved my helmet on my head. Iron took off and before I did, I glanced back at the shop to see Stef watching me. I nodded my head at her and she threw me a little wave.
Why did I feel so conflicted over Stef and Lottie? I knew that Stef was the one I wanted to be with but Lottie was so much help with Cooper. Did I ever see anything more between me and Lottie? No, never.
I parked my bike next to Iron’s and headed into the clubhouse, leaving my helmet sitting on top of my bike. I glanced around the bar and Lottie was nowhere to be seen. Where was she? I headed down the hall and into my bedroom.
“What the hell are you doing?” I barked. I walked in to find Lottie laying on my bed naked and she had Cooper cradled against her chest in only his nappy.
“Babies like skin on skin contact,” she stated. I pulled Cooper off of her and started dressing him.
“Get the hell out of my room!” I shouted before storming out. I marched to the Prez’s office and banged loudly on the door.
“Yeah!” he shouted. I walked in and slammed the door behind me, which caused Cooper to start crying.
“Hey. Give him to me,” Carla said as she climbed up from the sofa and took Cooper off of me.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Prez asked. I paced in front of him, running my hands through my short hair.
Conflicted Love Page 6
