Mancave (Wild Men 3)

I’m breathing hard, my heart slamming against my breastbone. I place a protective hand over my belly. “I only wanted to check on you, Ross. See if you’re okay. I never wanted—”

“Okay? How the hell could I ever be okay? You saw to that, and now—”

“Get out,” Matt says. “Go on. Get the fuck out of my truck, or I’ll come around and haul you out. Get the hell out!”

Ross throws the door open and jumps out.

No, no, no. This isn’t how it was supposed to go. I was supposed to talk to Ross, to ask him how he really is.

I open my door, too.

“Tay. Where are you going?” Matt places a hand on my leg, but I’m already turning, searching with my foot for a hold to climb down. “Wait.”

But I’m too intent on getting out, reaching Ross before he stalks off, to wait. I find a foothold and start sliding out, one hand on the door frame, the other on the door.

My foot somehow slips, and I gasp as the door starts closing, and I’m falling down to the street.

“Whoa, steady.” Strong hands grab me under the armpits, lowering me more slowly to the asphalt. “You okay?”

Panting, adrenaline shooting through my veins, making me shaky, I look up through my long hair at Ross. He’s still holding me, his brows drawn together over his icy eyes. There’s something like a question in them. A doubt.

Then Matt is there, shoving him away. “Get your hands off her,” he grunts, and wraps me up in his arms. “You okay, girl? Did he hurt you?”

“No, he didn’t. I’m okay. He…” I squirm, turning in the circle of Matt’s arms, looking for Ross. “He didn’t hurt me, Matt, I slipped, and he caught me. Where is he?”

Matt’s hold relaxes marginally, and I start after Ross who’s stalking away, hands in his pockets, head bowed. “Ross! Wait.”

“Dammit, Tay.” Matt sounds exasperated. “Keeping you from falling doesn’t mean he’s changed. You heard all he said in the truck.”

I did. And still I’m not convinced, I’m not ready to give up. “Ross. Stop.” I hurry after his tall figure. “Stop!”

He finally slows down, and turns around, walking backward. “What do you want?”

“To talk to you.”

“You are. So what’s up? I can grab a cab. I don’t need your boyfriend’s abuse.”

“He’s my husband. And you’re one to talk of abuse.”

“Know what? Go home, Octavia. We have nothing to say.”

I stop, and open my mouth to either beg him to wait, or send him to hell, when a strange vibration goes through my belly. A gasp escapes me. I press a hand to my rounded stomach, and it happens again. It’s not my phone in my pocket, it’s my belly.

What is that?

“Tay. Tay, what is it?” Matt is at my side in a heartbeat, his hand covering mine. “You okay?”

“I felt something. Here, it’s… feel it?”

His head bends toward mine, and his frown clears. He smiles. “Know what that is? The baby kicking.”

Oh God. Tears gather in my eyes. “You sure?”

He nods, and his eyes look wet, too. I want to laugh and cry at the same time. Another flutter comes under our hands, and we both grin.

Then a shadow falls over us. “You’re pregnant?” Ross asks quietly, eyes round as saucers. “You serious?”

Matt’s eyes narrow, and I flinch. If he spoils this beautiful moment with his awful comments, I swear… I don’t know what I’ll do.