Things between us have been tense on the best of days and really awkward on the worst. I wish we could go back to the way we were even a couple of months ago, but I know that can’t happen. Sleeping with him was probably not the best thing to do, but I hope he knows what he did for me back then. He helped me move on, and for that, I will always be grateful. I only wish it didn’t come at a cost.
After a quick shower, I dress in my favorite sweats and off the shoulder t-shirt. I don’t bother putting makeup on because I’m sure I will either be sweating this flu away or puking in the employee bathroom at some point today. Oh, the joys of being sick.
Twenty minutes later I walk into the shop and notice that Louie isn’t in yet. We hired a girl named Harlow a couple of weeks ago to work the reception desk and she has been amazing to have. She’s a little spitfire. I love it. I especially love how she gives as good as she gets when the brothers are around. You have to around those guys. But what I think is really funny is the way she is with Louie. She doesn't take any of his shit and is always hard on him. I think we are going to be really good friends.
“Hey, Low, what we got today?” I ask as I stash my purse under the desk.
She gives me a smile and flips through our appointment book—yes, we still do it old school. “You only have two today. One in about an hour, and the last one not until six tonight.”
I nod and head over to my station. “You heard anything from Louie?” Usually he is here by now.
Harlow scoffs at my question and whispers, “Asshole” under her breath. I laugh. “He called and said he was going to be late,” is all she says.
Okay then, guess I’ll leave that one alone for right now, but Louie and I need to sit down and have a talk. Not just about us, but about punctuality, it seems. “All right. Do we know what my first appointment wants? I’d like to get it drawn out before they get here.” I want to get this day over as soon as possible. I can’t wait to curl up in my bed and sleep until this cold goes away. Or at least until tomorrow afternoon when Zane will be back.
“Yeah, he said he wants a tribal cross on his shoulder. Not sure if he wants anything particular, though.”
Well, I can at least get started on it to give him an idea, and if he wants to change it, we can go from there. “All right, thanks, Low.” I sit down on my stool and start to sketch.
***
By nine o’clock, I’m completely drained. I finished my two appointments, along with three other walk-ins.
Louie showed up two hours after I got in and he smelled like a whorehouse. I know better than to say anything to him when he’s like that—it makes him feel backed into a corner—but I did tell him we needed to talk. He gave me a slight nod to at least let me know he heard me, but then went to his station and I didn’t see him the rest of the day. Until now, that is.
“I’m headin’ out,” he says as he walks past my station.
Even though I feel like shit and want to pass out, we need to talk this shit out now. “Louie, could you come over to the house for a bit? I need your help with something.” I don’t need any help, but I figure it’s the only way that he’ll come over.
He hesitates at the front desk but turns around after a couple of seconds. “Uh, yeah. Give me thirty minutes?”
I nod and watch him leave. I have no idea how this is going to go down, but I hope we come out the other side with our friendship intact.
I’m sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee when he knocks. I open the door and walk back to the table, knowing he’ll follow.
“So what do ya need, Dani?” He doesn’t sit, instead leans against the doorframe with his arms crossed. I give him my best take no prisoners stare. When he sees it, his arms fall with a heavy sigh. “I guess I’m here for a talk then, huh?” He walks over to the coffee pot to pour himself a cup, then takes a seat across from me.
“Look, Louie, I know things have been different for us these last couple of months, but I want my best friend back.” I leave it at that and wait for him to speak. I know he’s choosing his words carefully from the look on his face. He’s always careful with his words when he needs to be. It’s one of the things I love about him—he doesn’t speak out of anger and only says what he means. You always know that he will say what’s on his mind, and he doesn’t sugarcoat anything. But he makes sure he knows what he wants to say before it comes out.
“I miss you, Louie,” I whisper, trying to get him to understand how much I need him back in my life, the way it used to be.
Finally he looks up at me with a slight smile. “Listen, I know I haven’t been there for you and I’ve been a dick, but I needed to get my head around you and Blaze. I’ve had you and me in my heart for so long that it’s taken me a long time to see that you and him are made for each other. I’m sorry I’ve let you down, Dani, I really am. I wasn’t there for you to lean on when you needed a shoulder and I wasn’t there when that piece of shit took you. Can you ever forgive me?”
I don’t say anything as I get up and walk over and wrap my arms around him. “There’s nothing to forgive. I love you, Louie, you know that, right? Just not the way you want, and I’m sorry. But you deserve someone better than me—someone who will love you like you deserved to be loved.” I kiss his cheek and hug him tight against me.
“Yeah, well, we’ll see about that I guess.”
I know someone will come along and be worthy of his love. She will be amazing, loving, and have enough wit and sass to keep up with him. Though she is going to have to prove herself before I give my approval, and if she ever hurts him, I will hunt her down and make her wish she were never born.
***
Zane called and said that he was going to be gone another day, so since I’m feeling better this morning and don’t have to be at the shop, I decide to go down to the gym and work out with Toby. I haven’t seen him around much lately.
As I walk into the gym, I see him in the ring sparring with Dean. He looks up when he hears me enter, then goes back to sparring.
“Yo, Toby! You in the mood to get your ass kicked today?” I yell up at him, knowing it will earn me a rare smile. Toby is a unique soul. He is very quiet and is always watching. I bet he knows everything that goes on around him without even trying or talking to anyone, that’s how perceptive he is. But you can bet that when he needs to be heard, he is the only one you will hear. He has a voice of authority and you can’t help but listen and do as he says. He is also very intimidating without even trying. It’s a combination of his stance, his deep blue eyes that seem like they can look right into your soul, and all his muscles and tattoos. And now that he shaved his head, he's even scarier looking. You don’t want to fuck with him, that’s for sure.
He laughs and finishes up with Dean before jumping down and lifting me up into a bear hug. “You sure you want some of this, Dani?” he asks with a smirk.
Damn, this man is fine! “The question, is Toby, do you want some of this?” I say, motioning to my whole body. I know I can’t take him, but I can give him a run for his money at least. What can I say? I learned from the best.
Once we are both in the ring and tapped up, we both start bouncing around, looking for an opening. I find mine a minute later when someone walks and Toby drops his guard long enough for me to strike. My right cross brings him back into the ring and by the look on his face, he isn’t going to go easy on me. Fine by me.
“Little distracted, are we, Toby?” I laugh as I bounce back after the hit I landed. He doesn’t say anything, which only eggs me on. “Waiting for someone?” I prod, knowing it will wind him up more.
He shakes his head at me and gives me an evil smirk. “Why don’t you worry about the fact that I’m going to drop you on your ass in about five seconds?” With that said, he leaps toward me, faking a swing. When I block, he sweeps his leg out and drops me just like he said. I shake my head and stand up to get him back.
After our first round in the ring, we jump down to get some water. I love working out wit
h Toby; it’s always a great way for me to work off excess energy, plus he really is a great teacher when I want to learn anything new.
“So, Toby, you expecting someone?” I ask after I put down my water bottle. Every time someone has walked into the gym, I've seen his eyes go toward the door. He doesn’t turn his head completely like he did that first time, but still, I noticed.
He shakes his head, but I know he isn’t angry with my questioning from the small tilt of his lips. “You’re a nosy little girl, aren’t you?” he says as he returns to the ring. I follow suit, but I don’t jump up after him. I stand with my hands on my hips and wait for him to answer me. I know there is something there, and I will find out.
When he turns around he notices my stance and lets out a long sigh, then leans over the ropes with his hands dangling down. “You aren’t going to let this go, are you?”
I shake my head because he knows me well. I’m like a dog with a bone when I want information. I don’t push often, but when I do, you better just give it to me.
“No, I’m not expecting anyone, but I’m waiting. Let’s leave it at that.”
He looks down at me, but I don’t move. I need a little bit more than that, buddy. Reading my message loud and clear, he sits down on the edge of the ring and hangs on to the last rope for support.
“A couple of weeks ago, a girl came in for a class I was teaching. I’ve never seen her around here, but I got this vibe off her that she wasn’t taking the class for shits and giggles like some that come in. I don’t know, I guess she stuck with me. I keep thinking about her—wondering what her story is and if she is okay.” He trails off, thinking back to that day, so I remain quiet until he is ready to continue. When he looks up at me, I notice a look in his eyes that I’ve never seen before—pain and longing. “I guess I’m hoping she comes back. There’s something about her, Dani. I can’t put my finger on it, but I want to do everything in my power to protect her—make sure she is okay.”
I jump up next to him and lay my head on his shoulder. “She’ll be back, Toby. If not because you’re the best teacher around, because she felt how genuine your concern is for her. Just give it time.” After sitting like that for a couple of minutes, we both stand up and go for round two.
Not long after we start, I begin to feel dizzy. It’s probably because I haven’t been to the gym much the last couple of weeks; I need to get my body back into this routine. But as the minutes pass, I start to feel worse, to the point where the whole room starts to spin.
I drop my hands to my knees and bend over, trying to catch my breath and get myself together.
“Dani? You okay?” I can barely hear him, and when I look up, everything around me starts to fade.
“I…I…Toby…?” I feel myself fall and hit the mat. Toby comes up beside me and touches my face.
“Dani! Dani, open your eyes, babe! Dani!” I hear him yell, but I can’t answer him. I feel him lift me up into his strong arms, and before everything goes black, I think of Zane.
***
Zane
We are finishing up talking with the Rebels, working out a better truce. We now know why they have been in our territory and why they thought we were messing with their business. Turns out, they had a traitor among them who wanted to steer the suspicion toward us to cover his own ass.
I check my phone as we walk outside to our bikes and see that I have ten missed calls from Toby, three missed calls from Louie, and about twenty text messages. What the hell is going on? Instead of looking through the messages, I decide to call Toby first to see what the problem is.
He picks up after the second ring but I barely get one word out before he starts yelling. “Where the fuck have you been, brother? Dani needs you!”
What the hell? “Slow the fuck down, Toby. What do you mean, she needs me?” I’m now running toward my bike, my adrenaline pumping. I need to get back now! I don’t know what is going on, but whatever it is, it has Toby freaking out.
“Dani, she was at the gym with me when she passed out. I drove her to the hospital, but they won’t tell me anything!”
I hang up the phone and don’t even wait for the rest of my brothers to get on their rides, I peel out of the parking lot. I've got to get to my girl.
I make the hour drive in under thirty minutes, going at least ninety the whole way. I park my bike in front of the hospital and run inside.
When I reach the reception desk, the nurse looks up at me in fear.
“I’m here for Danielle DeChenne,” I say, trying to catch my breath.
“One moment, sir,” she says as she starts typing. I don’t have fucking time for this!
“Tell me where the fuck she is!” I yell, but before she can answer, someone comes up behind me and puts their hand on my shoulder. I turn around, intent on dropping the motherfucker who is keeping me from my girl, when Toby restrains me.
“It’s me, brother. You need to calm down before they kick you out. You won’t do her any good in jail, okay?”
I take a deep breath and turn back to the nurse behind the desk. “Can you tell me which room she is in and what is going on?” I say, my voice calmer, but still laced with anger. I need to get to her; she needs me.
“Sir, she’s still in the ER being checked out. If you could wait over there in the waiting room, the doctor will be out shortly to talk with you.” She points to a room with a TV and chairs. Even though I don’t want to sit back and wait, I know Toby is right. Heading in that direction, I notice for the first time that Louie is already there, along with Harlow.
After five minutes of sitting, I can’t take it anymore. Instead of going back up to the front desk, I pace the room. I need to get rid of this nervous energy somehow.
Ten minutes later, Mack and a couple of the other brothers come in. They see us waiting and bypass the nurse at the desk and come straight over.
“Do we know anything yet?” Mack asks, worry lining his face.
Toby answers for me, knowing if I stop pacing I’ll lose it again. “Nah, they haven’t said anything besides the doctor is still with her.”
Mack comes up to me and places his hand on my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. “She’ll be all right, son, she’s a fighter. Whatever it is, we’ll handle it.”
I nod my head and go back to pacing.
An hour later, a doctor finally walks into the waiting room. “The family of Danielle DeChenne?” he asks the room. His eyes widen a bit when Mack, Louie, Toby and I all walk up to him.
“We’re her family. I’m her father, these are her brothers, and this is her fiancé”, says Mack, pointing to each of us.
The doctor looks skeptical, but must decide not to voice his disbelief. “Danielle was brought in after she passed out. We’ve run some tests on her and believe we know what happened. Her iron level is very low, she seems to be a little dehydrated and has a low blood sugar level. All of which can cause dizziness and fainting. I feel confident that it’s just from the pregnancy, and after the baby is born, everything will go back to normal. But for now, we have her on an IV to hydrate her and I will prescribe some iron tablets. We will also keep an eye on her blood sugar levels, but I think she will be fine.”
I’m staring at him in shock. He can’t be talking about Dani, can he? “She’s pregnant?” I whisper to no one in particular, but it gets the doctor's attention.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you were aware of the pregnancy. Yes, she is indeed pregnant. About ten weeks, to be exact.”
I can’t believe it; I’m going to be a father.
All my brothers come up to me to slap my back, congratulating me. I smile at them all and then look back to the doctor. “Can I see her?” I need to be with her. I wonder if she knew she was pregnant.
The doctor gives me a smile and nods. “Of course, but only one at a time, please. She needs to rest.”
I follow him down the hall to a room that is closed off by a curtain. “Let me know if you need anything,” the doctor says before turning aroun
d and disappearing.
I take a deep breath before I pull the curtain aside and step into the room. I see Dani lying in a hospital bed looking as white as the sheet covering her. Her eyes are closed, so I quietly walk over to the bedside chair and take a seat. When she doesn’t move, I take her hand, bringing it to my lips for a soft kiss. “Thank you, Baby Girl. I promise, I’ll be the best father I can be to our child,” I whisper against her hand.
She stirs and slowly turns her head to look at me. A weak smile graces her lips, then her tongue peeks out to wet them. “Hey,” she croaks.
Grabbing the glass of water from the tray beside the bed, I bring it to her lips so she can have a drink. After taking a couple of swallows, she clears her throat. “What did the doctor say?”
I’m a little surprised that they told us before giving her the news. “You don’t know?” I ask, not sure what they told her, if anything.
“No, after I woke up in the ER, they asked me some questions and then hooked me up to an IV. I think I fell asleep after that. Do they know what happened to me yet?” She seems worried and completely in the dark.
I chuckle to myself before looking into her eyes. Before I can say anything, though, she calls me out. “What’s so funny?” She is smiling, so I know she isn’t pissed that I find anything in this situation funny.
“Well, this usually happens the other way around, but I guess we’ve never been traditional have we?”
She doesn’t respond, still waiting for me to tell her what happened.
“You’re pregnant, Baby Girl. You’re about ten weeks along.”
She looks at me first in disbelief, then shock, then confusion. “I’m pregnant? How is that possible? I’ve been on the pill for years.”
Not knowing how to even begin to answer that, I shake my head. “I don’t know, but it happened. You were dehydrated and anemic, which they are pretty sure is because of the pregnancy. They also said your blood sugar was low, so they are going to keep an eye on that.” I wait for her to respond, but she says nothing.
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