Abel (5th Street 4)

Even with the photos of her entering Sam’s hotel room and of them kissing that night, he never even considered the possibility. He had blind faith in Nellie now. He wouldn’t even entertain the idea that this baby was anyone else’s but his. The very thought that anyone might suggest so had him grinding his teeth already.

Nellie glanced at Abel for a moment before addressing Hector’s question. “I needed to get away. Andy said I’d be mobbed.” She turned to Abel, her expression a bit worried. “But even then I was willing to deal with the press, until Andy told me how disgusted you were with me and that you really didn’t want me there—”

“He told you that?” Hector and Abel spoke at the same time, and they each sounded equally revolted.

Nellie glanced back and forth from them, looking confused. “Well, yeah, with the scandal being out of control, he said it was best if I stayed away from you.”

Feeling his insides go straight to a boiling point, Abel saw red. “That son of a—”

“So all this,” Hector asked, pulling out his phone, “might’ve been avoided—you ending up in the hospital and my brother nearly losing his mind—because this f**ker told you to stay away and he said Abel didn’t want to see you?”

Nellie stared at Hector, her eyes widening, and Abel remembered the doctor’s orders—no stress. “It’s cool, babe.” He slipped his hand into hers in an attempt to appear calm. “I never said I didn’t want to see you, but everything’s fine now.”

“Andy, where you at?” Hector spoke into his phone a bit deliberately, though Abel could tell he was making an effort to mask his anger. “Yeah, yeah, everything’s fine. He’s just taking a break. But he wanted me to go over some things with you. Can you meet me at 5th Street right now?” He paused for a second.” Cool, see you there in a few.”

Hector glanced down at the bags on the floor. “You got this, Abel?”

“Yeah, I got it,” Abel said.

Hector kissed Nellie on the cheek. “I’m glad you’re better.” Then he turned to Abel. “Don’t worry about Andy,” he said, waving his phone at him, already walking away. “I’ll take care of him. You wanted his ass fired anyway, right?”

Abel nodded, a little worried about what exactly his hothead brother had in mind. “Yeah, but hey . . .” Hector turned around to look at him, still walking backwards. “Don’t get arrested.”

Hector smirked. “I gotta fly out to Maryland with Charlee tomorrow. She’d kill me if I got locked up.” He wiggled his fingers in the air. “Might have a few bruised knuckles on our trip, but I won’t get arrested.”

Nellie turned to Abel. “He’s not really gonna fight Andy, is he?”

Despite his insides still being lit, Abel had to laugh. “Are you kidding me? Hector will be lucky if he gets two jabs at Andy before the guy goes down. You have seen my brother’s left hook, haven’t you?” Her beautiful eyes opened wider, and Abel smiled, kissing her. He didn’t mean to upset her. “Don’t worry, babe. That’s why he asked him to meet him at 5th Street. There’s an onsite first response guy at all times and a ton of first aid kits. They’ll ice Andy and clean him up a little before throwing him out on his ass.”

He wouldn’t mention that it was a good thing Hector was taking care of this and not him. If it were Abel, Andy’s life would be in serious risk. He didn’t need to worry her about what he might do to the guy if he ever saw him again.

Once in the house, Abel led her straight to the bedroom where she’d remain for the rest of the week. He fluffed up her pillows and pulled up the comforter. “There you go, princess. That’s your place for the rest of the week.”

“I can rest on the sofa, too, you know. I don’t have to stay in bed all week.” Abel lifted a brow, his smile dissolving. “Okay, okay,” she said, slipping off her shoes and climbed in. “Mmm,” she said as she lay down. “If I’d known how comfortable your bed was, I wouldn’t have argued.”

Abel covered her and then lay down next to her. “Speaking of my bed,” he said, taking her hand, “with a baby on the way now, we need to discuss our living arrangements. I don’t want you and the baby living away from me. This place is a good size for a bachelor, but I don’t think it’s gonna cut it for a family.”

“You can move in with me,” she offered with a smile.

It amazed Abel that just a week ago he’d been afraid to mention wanting to be exclusive and now they were talking about moving in together—being a family.

“I wouldn’t mind your place, but it’s way too accessible to the public.” He played with her fingers. “It’s one thing for them to follow us around and try to get photos. Even that I don’t have much patience for. But this is my kid we’re talking about now. “He touched her belly softly, feeling a knot in his throat already, and he hoped this emotional wussy shit would pass soon, because it was getting ridiculous. “My ass would end up in jail so fast if they messed with this little guy or girl.”

There was a knock at the front door, and Abel already knew who it was. He was surprised it took her this long. “That,” he laughed, pointing toward the door as he got up, “is another reason why we can’t live here.” He shook his head. “I love my mom, but she can be a little on the overbearing side. And soon,” he lowered his voice, “there will be another one just like her living in that front house. My aunt’s moving in next month.”