“We go in strong. I’ve got a flight out tonight, and we’re meeting with the entire staff tomorrow. I called a few friends and hand selected the local and federal guys I want in on this. There are some pissed off people in Louisiana right now, with me coming in and leaving them in the dark. They feel slighted with a chip on their shoulders, so unfortunately, I’ve got to do some schmoozing to smooth feathers. Our guys who have been undercover are coming out and are going to be known as private security from now on.
“Once we get everyone settled and on the same page, we’re going public. DeSantis is going to keep his current travel and rally schedule. His press people are scheduling a conference in two days, and we’re going to leak the threats, hoping to get the average everyday citizen on alert. Your assignments stay the same for now. Each night while I’m away, we’ll have an early evening video conference call. So far, we know this is one group of radicals. I have no doubt we’ll find them and shut them down well before election day.
“Let’s keep everything else business as usual. We still have tons of other clients to keep satisfied.”
The meeting breaks up, and I follow Robbie to his office, closing the door behind me.
“What’s your take on this?” I cut right to the chase.
“I think Dad’s giving us what we need but holding something back regarding the assholes doing all this. Not sure what, but I’m going to let this play out without pushing hard.”
I narrow my eyes and look at my friend skeptically. It’s obvious his mind is a million miles away. His voice is clipped, and his face is furrowed in a scowl. The vein on his forehead pops out as he shuffles papers around his desk unnecessarily, never raising his head.
“Anything on your mind?” I probe, already knowing the answer.
He blows out a breath and scrubs his hands down his face. “Ember’s pregnant.”
The news hits me like a blow, and I take a quick step back. Robbie’s going to be a dad. Surprise turns into happiness, and I move to his side, slapping him on the shoulder. “Congratulations, man. That’s great.”
He gives me a side eye and throws a pen across his desk. “Thanks.”
“Whoa, thought you wanted this?”
“I do. I want kids with Ember more than anything in this world, but it’s going to be a long seven months.”
“Seven?” I repeat curiously.
“Yep, we went to the doctor this morning. She’s almost ten weeks.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Well, besides the fact that she claims she didn’t know, but had been feeling off for a few weeks, we’ve been on the bike, we’ve been drinking, and I’ve fucked her like an animal. All the time, we didn’t know she was pregnant. She swears she’s had no signs.”
“So is she okay?”
“Oh, yeah, she’s over the moon. She started crying when the doctor confirmed what she expected. Me? I was a fucking mute, sitting there dumbfounded.”
“Okay, so you were in shock.”
“I acted like a dick. When the doctor went to get the sonographer, I questioned why she didn’t tell me her suspicions. She started crying harder, saying she didn’t want to see a look of disappointment on my face. The only thing she wanted was to tell me herself she was having our baby and starting our own family.”
“Man, you have to go easy on her. It’s not like she has a lot of experience in this area.”
“I hurt her. She wouldn’t even hold my hand during the sonogram. It was internal, so we only got to hear the heartbeat, but it filled the room, and I swear my own heart hit the floor. It was the most soothing sound in the world. Ember tried to be strong, but tears fell down her cheeks the whole time. I really hurt her feelings.”
“So what the fuck are you doing here? It’s time to grovel like you’ve never groveled before. That precious woman, who’s now carrying your child, is at home upset. Get your ass to her. Leave your protective ego in the dust and make sure she knows how much this means to you. Don’t let her think for even another second you’re upset with her for doing what she thought may protect your feelings. Think about it, man. If she suspected she was pregnant and turned out not to be, you’d have been devastated.”
His face twists and understanding washes over him. He jumps up so fast, I tumble into the wall. “You’re right. I need to go. I’ll stop by Dad’s office on the way out. Do me a favor and don’t say anything to anyone besides Presley. After the supreme dickhead I was this morning, the last thing I want is to steal her thunder. She’ll probably want to have a party to announce it.”
“I’ll make sure Presley keeps her mouth shut,” I confirm, letting him know I’m solid.
He gives me a chin lift before he disappears out the door, leaving me to my own thoughts.
Ember’s having a baby.
Robbie’s going to be a dad.
My chest tightens with a deep ache, and I sit down absorbing the news. The ache turns into a burning, and I hit my chest, trying to ease the sting. Then it hits me; I’m envious. I’ve never been jealous of any of my friends’ happiness, but in this moment, I want what he has.