“And yet, I seem to have infinite patience for you,” Rock says.
“I don’t say stupid shit like that.”
“True,” Rock agrees, then focuses his attention on me. “Serena all right today?”
“Yeah, she seemed to be.”
As Rock and Wrath head for the door, Z stops me with a hand on my arm. “Are you at peace with this outcome?”
I blow out an annoyed breath. “Best outcome possible, honestly. I appreciated Pants being honest about how it went down. Not many brothers would admit a woman put him up to it.”
“He’s solid from what I’ve heard, so I was surprised he did that.” He glances down at the table. “Rock and I were talking about having some refresher meetings before these bigger parties.”
“What are you gonna do, have prospects hand out a rule book to every guest who walks in the front door?”
“Maybe.” He flashes his dimples, then turns serious again. “Seriously, is Serena okay? You worried about her runnin’ on you again?”
I let out another long, annoyed sigh. I seem to be forever destined to have everyone in my business. “She promised me she wouldn’t leave.”
“Well, she rode down with you, so technically, she can’t leave.”
“Yeah, she pointed that out too. Didn’t really give me the warm fuzzies.”
“Sorry. I know things are…precarious.”
“Why are you so tuned into this, Angus?” I pat his chest. “I appreciate the concern, but you realize I’m a grown-ass man, right?”
“Yes, Grumpy,” he answers with a healthy dose of sarcasm. “I just…” He taps his fingers against the back of his chair. “I didn’t get to meet Chance until he was almost three.”
“How? You and Lilly seem so—”
“It’s a long story that I don’t want to get into. Her reasons were valid.” He pierces me with a warning stare to let me know he won’t tolerate me disparaging his wife. “I didn’t know she was pregnant, but I wish I’d tried harder to find her ass instead of letting pride get in my way.”
“Serena knows I have no problem tracking her down. I’ve missed enough things in life, I’m not missing out on any more.”
“Good. If I can do something, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“You did everything I could want you to do, brother. Lilly too. I really appreciate her going out of her way to look after Serena.”
The corner of his mouth quirks. “She’s always liked Serena. I think she’s really happy you two are together.”
“That’s great. I’m proud to provide entertainment for everyone.”
He smirks at my sarcasm. I hold out my hand and he takes it, yanking me in for a quick hug instead of a simple handshake. “You don’t have to keep worrying about me, Z. I’m doing fine. Adjusting better than I expected because I have the club behind me. I know you keep calling me grumpy, but I hope you know how much I appreciate everything.”
“Good.” He pats my back one more time. “Touchy-feely time is over. Go get your girl and give her the good news.”
Serena
Fake smiles may fool a crowd, but they’ll never ease your pain.
* * *
I fall back asleep after Gray leaves. Sometime later, I wake up again but he’s still not back.
An uneasy sensation rolls through my stomach. I haven’t had any morning sickness yet, but I hurry to the bathroom and retch.
When my stomach stops its tilt-a-whirl impression, I sit on the floor, putting my back against the wall to catch my breath. “I’m not a fan of puking first thing in the morning, baby,” I whisper, rubbing my stomach. “Let’s go back to the no morning sickness thing, please.”
Groaning, I pick myself up off the floor and shuffle to the sink. I flip on the taps and run my wrists under the cool flow of water for a few seconds, then lean over and splash my face. I find my toothbrush and scrub the foul taste from my mouth.
My wrist aches and I stop to check it. Last night shoots to the front of my mind. A few finger-shaped bruises mar my skin, but otherwise, I’m fine. I don’t remember much after Grayson brought me to our room last night. Numb, I stood in the shower and scrubbed all my makeup off, then he tucked me into bed and I fell asleep with Gray’s warm, protective body curled around mine.
I peer in the mirror. “Not too bad,” I murmur to myself. My eyes are a little red and circles shade the skin underneath. Nothing some concealer won’t hide. More importantly, after such a degrading event last night, I don’t have the urge to do something self-destructive today.
Progress.
I smile at my reflection, hoping it will improve my mood, but I look like an idiot.
“Serena?” Gray calls.
“In here.” I quickly run a brush through my hair.
Gray appears in the doorway. “How do you feel today?”
“A little morning sickness, actually.”
His face pinches. “Normal pregnancy thing or stress from last night?”