Jase (MMA Bad Boys Book 3)

by L. Grubb

  “Better now than getting to bond with the kid to later find out it’s not yours right?” She makes complete sense as always. One last kiss and she climbs off me.

  Blowing out a breath, I stand and remove my boxers, following her into the en-suite for a power shower. I’m not looking forward to today at all, my nerves are pretty much shredded right now.

  After a quick, silent, awkward coffee, we head out in my 4x4. I don’t use it much because I don’t really need all the space. Jen goes to get in the front and I glare at her, relocking the doors. She doesn’t deserve to sit shotgun, that place is solely reserved for Frankie. Jen shrinks away and goes to the back door. Unlocking the doors, we all climb in and strap up.

  “Do you think this is really necessary?” Jen asks from the back seat. I look in the rear view mirror and she’s pouting like a petulant child.

  “Are you fucking serious right now?” I growl at her through gritted teeth. “Don’t fucking push me, Jen.”

  “What are you going to do about it?” The smirk that lifts the corner or her incredibly fake lips makes her look more constipated than anything.

  “Don’t start.” I put the car in gear and pull out of my space. Traffic is light this early in the morning and the traffic lights seem to be on my side. The quicker this shit is done with the better it would be for not only myself but for Frankie as well. Even though she said this situation didn’t bother her, I know it will be hard moving forward in our relationship if I am the dad.

  Her hand caresses my leg and I glance at her to see a smile on her face. She’s comforting me, knowing how shit scared I am. It’s like, I want to know but I don’t want to know at the same time. It’s tearing me up inside and the indecision is killing me. But I know I have to see this through.

  We arrive at King’s College Hospital in record time and park in the visitor’s car park. I already called this morning before Jen was up and booked the appointment and paid the cost. I don’t care about the ramifications, the complications it can cause, I need to know now before I bond with the baby.

  We enter through the main entrance and head to the bank of elevators down the corridor to our right. I know this hospital so well from when Carlotta was admitted that I could probably walk around blindfolded and still end up in the right place.

  “You okay?” Frankie whispers to me as she slips her hand in mine. The comforting touch makes my heart skip a beat.

  “I’m fine knowing you’re with me.” I smile down at her and I hear Jen huff. “Problem, Jen?”

  “Yeah, I don’t want to be here.” She’s biting on her nails, a nervous energy pouring from her. I knew she cheated on me, I’m not completely stupid. I know a lot of people in London and it all got back to me.

  “You probably don’t because you don’t want to be caught out. But too bad, because you’re doing this.” My scowl could probably freeze hell over in milliseconds but I couldn’t give a fuck. The hatred I feel for the woman gets stronger as time goes on. She’s not changed one bit since I last saw her. Still the conniving, fake bitch she was months ago. The only thing that’s changed is her pregnant belly.

  The rest of the way up to the pregnancy unit is in blissed silence. My head is swimming, my gut aches and I feel sick to my stomach. I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous or worried. It doesn’t matter how many people she slept with seven months ago, I’m still a possibility, and that’s the percent I’m worried about. I don’t want to bring a kid up with her as a mother. She’ll have that kid taken straight from her anyway.

  I speak to the reception lady as the girls go take a seat. Frankie’s knee is bouncing and I can bet you anything she’s chewing on her inner lip. It’s either that or she likes look like a duck. Being told to take a seat and we’ll be seen shortly, I sit next to Frankie and take her hand in mine. “Don’t be worried for me, princess. It’s my mess, my situation. We’ll be fine, okay?”

  She nods and looks at the posters lining the wall. Why they would have safe sex posters and contraception ones scattered about when this is a pregnancy unit, and it’s too fucking late to heed notice to them, is beyond me.

  We don’t wait long before we’re ushered back into the doctor’s office. Frankie insists she waits there and I follow Jen into the cramped room. I stand by the door, not wanting to sit next to Jen who’s still giving me the stink eye.

  “Do you know the risks in having the prenatal paternity test?” The doctor asks us both.

  Nodding, I say, “Yes, and I’ve told Jennifer all about them.”

  “Okay, great.” He then goes on to tell us about how the procedure works and that we’ll get results thirty minutes after it’s been done so at least I won’t have to wait for days with bated breath. That’s the joys of paying for a service in full I suppose. “Please, come lay on the bed. Sir, if you could step out that would be great.”

  “No. I’m not leaving. I know what she’s like and I’m not letting her bribe you out of this. I’ll turn my back. Trust me, I don’t want to be seeing her lady parts any more than you do.” I turn slightly and start reading the certificates the good doctor has on his wall.

  After few hisses of pain and a curse word from Jen, the doctor tells her to get dressed and for us to take a seat back in the waiting room.

  We leave, ignoring the shit out of each other even though she has tears streaming down her face. I won’t fall for the sympathy and pity bullshit. She’s pulled that card out on me more times than I care to count.

  Frankie stands when she sees us walking back and she wraps her arms around me. I cling to her like she’s my lifeline because, right now, she is. “You okay?” she whispers.

  “I’m fine. I’m sure she will be too, not that I care enough to ask.” We pull apart and sit side by side, hands interlocked with each other.

  Jen’s name is called fourty minutes later and Frankie gives me a good luck kiss and a wink before I get up and follow Jen back to the room.

  The door shuts and I swear the click is louder than usual or it might be because my senses are on hyper alert, my heart is beating way too fast to be normal and my palms are sweating like crazy.

  Everyone sits down, including me this time because my legs are too much like jello to hold me upright any longer. I fold my hands together and make a silent prayer to whoever is listening. The silence is deafening and I’m about ready to snap.

  “Jase Carter, you are not the biological father. We can’t determine who is the father with a DNA test but I’m guessing Jennifer knows.” I breathe in a sharp breath as relief washes over me and I want to stamp my feet and shout it from the rooftops. I won’t though, Jennifer is many things but I won’t rub it in her face in front of a stranger.

  I get up and leave the room, ignoring them both as I practically jog to Frankie. She just about manages to stand before I plow into her and lift her, twirling her in a circle. “I’m not the dad,” I mumble, tears threaten to fall but I am not going to be a pussy, especially in public.

  “That’s great news. Shall we go before she comes out?” Frankie asks as I place her back on my feet.

  I look back at the room and can hear her loud whimpering. “Good idea.”

  We leave the way we came, an extra spring in our steps knowing we have nothing that can stand in the way of us being together. Time will tell how our relationship will be, but I’m not letting someone with beauty slip through my fingers.

  My tyres squeak as we leave the hospital grounds, and I ‘woop woop’ with a fist pumping the air. Frankie giggles and tears are streaming down her face. “What’s wrong, princess?”

  “I’m so happy you got the answer you wanted. You know I would have supported you if it was the other outcome though right?” She tilts her head to study my expression.

  “Would you have though? Or did you just say it to make me feel better?” I quiz, glancing at her briefly before returning my eyes to the road.

  “You really think I’m like that? Or did she hurt you that bad that now you have trust issue
s?” She sounds a little angry, upset and I feel like a jerk straight away.

  “Fuck. I’m sorry, sugar.” I grab one of her hands from her lap and bring it to my mouth to kiss. “Trust issues, yeah. Definitely. But I will try to push past them for you. I promise.”

  “I understand. You can at least trust me on that one.” She turned her head to look out the window so I can’t make out what she’s thinking.

  “What happened to make you say that?” Call me curious, but I want to learn everything about her. I would like to punch the person that did this to her though, then thank him for letting me have the opportunity to show her how a real man is.

  “Can we just get back to your house first? I’d rather not tell you while driving through London,” she murmurs, sighing. Her shoulders have slouched forward and my fingers grip the steering wheel.

  The rest of the trip home is silent, except for my cell dancing across the dashboard signaling incoming calls and texts. I can take one guess at who they’re from.

  I pull into my spot outside the house and kill the engine. We climb out and up the steps still in silence. I could probably cut the tension with a knife right now and I have no idea why it’s there.

  She goes straight to the living room and takes a seat on the black, leather sectional couch and puts her head in her hands. I place the keys in a bowel by the door and immediately go to her, pulling her to me. “You can tell me anything, princess.” I kiss the top of her head to seal that promise.

  “I met a guy named Brett Mandera, he had the boy next door look going on; blond hair, blue eyes, cheekbones a woman could die for… anyway, we went to college together, we were in most of the same classes and he eventually asked me out for a drink. Not long after that night, we started dating exclusively. He knew I was a virgin and didn’t press me for sex, he was always so sweet toward me. I fell for him, hard. A year later, I found out the reason why he never pressured me for sex… he was sleeping with my best friend, Martin. Yeah, a guy. Not only that but for most of the relationship he slept with anything with a pulse that showed him attention. How I didn’t know any of this at the time is beyond me. Since then, I’ve had a few dates but no partner. No one I can trust and no one I had a connection with.” She sighs and snuggles into me. “Not until you that is.”

  “That fucker…” I say through gritted teeth. Who the fuck does he think he is to treat someone like that? If your gay, openly admit it, don’t lead a girl on, make her fall for you just to shit on them at a later date. That’s not cool.

  “I already knew Martin was gay, he was practically one of the girls. And when I say that, I mean it. Remember when I was talking about homewreckers on our date? He was my homewrecker. I’ve not spoken or seen him since college and that’s the way it will stay. They’re the past and I have to keep looking forward to the future.” She smiles up at me and I have the insane need to fuck her senseless. But that’s not what she needs right now. She needs me to comfort her and I can do that. “Is it okay if I go have a nap? I’m really sleepy after all that drama and letting this all out. I’ve never told anyone except Isabella because she was always there for me.”

  “Go for it, princess.” I place a chaste kiss on her lips and she stands, leaving the room silently.

  I grab my cell from where I shoved it in my pocket when we got out of the car. I listen to the voicemails and chuckle at the abuse Jen spits out. That shit doesn’t affect me like it used to. She’s a nobody to me now. I delete them all and then read the texts. The threats becoming worse the more I read. I think it’s time I got an injunction against her.

  My cell buzzes in my hand while I’m staring at it and I answer. “Roofie?”

  “Alright, mate?” His cheery voice sounds in my ear. “You coming out tonight?”

  I think about it for a second. Now I wouldn’t feel like the fifth wheel, why the heck not? “Sure. What time?”

  “Seven at the pub. See ya then, bud.” He hangs up and I keep the texts and check the call log. Most of the missed calls are from Jen and there’s a few from Roofie too. I sigh and throw my head back. This morning has been one big clusterfuck and I’m glad it’s over now, I don’t have to tell the guys of the storm looming over my head but I do have to tell them, and show them, Frankie. She’ll fit right in with Carlotta and Gemma… now that I think about it, it’s going to be fucking murder with them lot together. I shake my head at the antics they could get up to once they’ve gotten to know Frankie, and laugh at some of the ridiculous thoughts that cascade through my mind.

  I yawn… A nap sounds like a fucking good idea. I groan as I stand up and I make my way to the bedroom. I open the door slowly as not to make a sound, just in case she’s asleep already.

  Creeping in, I take in her sleeping form; hands tucked under her face, mouth slightly open. She looks adorable when she’s asleep and it warms my heart. I think I finally found someone that I want to stick around for long then a few weeks, someone that I can finally share my life with. Smiling at the idea, I strip off my clothes and climb in beside her, draping an arm around her waist. She says something unintelligible in her sleep and cosies up under my arm.

  Bliss. That’s what I feel right this minute, unadulterated bliss. Beautiful woman, house I call my own, a job I love and fighting that pays well. I couldn’t have asked for anything better to happen in my life and I probably couldn’t have written it any better either. My heart was soaring; I’m finally getting what I’ve secretly wanted since my disaster relationship with Jen. I close my eyes after pulling the duvet up to Frankie’s chin. I kiss her and drift of in slumber.

  “So where are we going again?” Frankie asks after a round of mind-blowing sex.

  “Where we met. My mates are going to be there and I want to introduce you to them of course.” I wink at her as I shove my shit in my pockets. “You almost ready?”

  “Yup.” She puts a coat of lip gloss on her mouth and puckers her lips which I find stupidly fascinating and hot before turning to smile wide at me. “Ready.”

  We went by hers earlier for some spare clothes and I told her to grab a dress for tonight. Of course, I got the twenty questions as women do which made me laugh before I forced her out of my car. She picked up a… what did she call it? Playsuit? And I must say, great fucking choice. No chance of showing the world her pussy getting in out and of cars, no bending over and showing the world everything God gave her and a plus? Her breasts look insane.

  “You gonna keep staring or are we heading out?” She raises a brow at me and I shake my head to clear my sexual thoughts. It seems when I’m awake, all I can think about is being buried deep inside her. I groan as my dick stands to attention.

  “Let’s go.” I already called a taxi and it’s been idling at the curb for ten minutes already. Knowing London cabs, the meter is probably already running.

  I help her in and climb in after her, rattle off the pub name and wrap her into my side.

  “Jase!” Roofie exclaims, standing from his table and giving me a man hug. “Who’s the pretty lady?”

  “Roofie, this is Frankie, and vice versa.” I wave a hand between them. Never having done this introducing malarkey, I’m a little awkward at it.

  “Nice to meet you, Frankie. Come meet the gang.” He takes over and I breathe easier and rub a hand along the back of my neck.

  “Frankie? What do you want to drink?” She rattles off her drink order and I head to the crowded bar, pushing my way forward.

  Twenty agonising minutes later, I arrive back at the table with the drinks and take my seat next to Frankie and pulling her chair closer to mine.

  “Awww, Jase is finally pussy-whipped,” Carlotta states in a sing-song voice. I don’t tell her to fuck off like I normally would have, I embrace it.

  “Fuck yeah, I am. And I’m a proud motherfucker for it too.” I bang a fist on my chest, and make the peace sign with my fingers. I’ve not felt this happy since before Beast got with Carlotta. I don’t mean that nastily, because I honestly wish them a
ll the best, but that’s when the group started changing. Now that it’s evened out a bit? I think shit will go well from now on.

  Everyone laughs at my antics and I blow them all a kiss in good humor. We drink drinks and laugh for fucking hours. But it’s not long before something rains on our parade.

  “How dare you!” As I turn my head, a stinging slap lands across my right cheek and I see red, I stand up and face Jen. I tower over her but she doesn’t cower. “How fucking dare you leave me at that hospital when I needed you the most!”

  Maniacal laughter leaves my mouth and I have to hold my stomach so I don’t topple over. “You are joking, love, right? That’s the funniest shit I’ve heard all day.”

  She pokes one of her fake nails into my chest and I look down at it in disgust. She spews more vile words out before exclaiming for the whole bar to fucking hear, “I thought he was your kid. I know he is! That test is wrong, I swear!”

  Frankie stands up beside me and grabs hold of Jen’s hair, pulling her head back so she can get close to her face to shout, “Not that it’s the pub business, or anyone else’s, but Jase is not your kid’s daddy. And you know that. Stop trying to wrangle money from him because let’s face it, you have no clue who the baby daddy really is. Oh yeah, I’ve heard a lot about you.” A loud slap rings out over the silent pub and my eyes widen, lips twitch in amusement. “Like I said, your face ain’t preggers. I suggest you fuck off to the corner you came from before shit gets serious. We don’t want to see you again and the next time we do? I won’t be held accountable for my actions. Understood?”

  Jen’s hands are trying desperately to keep her hair attached to her head, well, what real hair she has anyway. She nods, desperate to get out of the hold Frankie has on her. Frankie removes her hand along with a shit load of extensions that she immediately throws to the floor in disgust. Jen gives me a glare and storms off toward the exit.

  “Back as you were, people! This isn’t a fucking freak show!” Beast’s voice booms across the bar. People start up conversations slowly, the noise suddenly loud and boisterous. The music has restarted and after five minutes, things are back to normal.