Joy (Hell's Handlers MC 7)

Cassie grabbed both her hands and squeezed. “Oh, honey, I’m so excited for you. Copper will come around.” She frowned. “I’ll kick his ass if he doesn’t.”

Both women laughed. The idea of Cassie taking on the mountain that was Copper would break the tension at any time.

“How have you been feeling?”

“Ugh.” Shell rolled her eyes as nausea rippled through her stomach like it had been summoned by Cassie. “Pretty sick. It only started last week and thankfully, I’ve managed to only throw up when Copper has been out of the house, but it’s really ramping up this week.”

Cassie’s hands flew to her hips. “Okay, that’s it, missy. You’re telling that man, and you’re telling him today. He will not be pleased to find out you’ve been sick behind his back.”

“I know. I just…” She shrugged. She was a chicken, plain and simple. The life they’d created for themselves grew better by the day. Shell thought she’d been in love with Copper for years, but now that she lived with him, the feelings had strengthened to something she couldn’t even put words to. Love seemed too fragile and insignificant an emotion.

Or at least it seemed fragile now that Copper wanted different things than she did.

She’d found out about the pregnancy two weeks ago and had been working on a fun way to tell him. Until a few days ago when he shattered her anticipation.

The sound of her front door opening had Shell straightening in her chair. Cassie shot her a chastising look.

“Babe? That Cassie’s car out there?”

“Yeah. We’re in the kitchen having tea.”

Ten seconds later, Copper’s big form filled the entryway to the kitchen. “Holy shit,” he said. “What the fuck happened? Were we robbed by Holly?”

Both women laughed, but Shell’s felt hollow.

“Nah,” Cassie answered for her. “You’re ol’ lady was just being the amazing mother she is.” She winked at Shell, earning her a narrow-eyed glare. “Well, I gotta run home and feed my own man.” Cassie stood then gave Shell a quick hug. “No time like the present,” she whispered. “I’ll see myself out.”

As she passed Copper, she rose on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to the side of his beard. “Twice in one day. Love you guys,” she said, then disappeared.

Beth hadn’t reemerged, and normally, Shell would call her down to see Cassie off, but there was nothing normal about this day. Not anymore. Not now that she planned to take Cassie’s advice and get it over with.

Finally.

“How you doing, gorgeous?” Copper asked as he walked into the kitchen. He stopped right by her chair, looking down at her. “Lotta sugar in this room. You gonna share some with me?” He arched an eyebrow.

“I’m pregnant,” Shell blurted then slapped a hand over her mouth.

Shit.

Shit.

Clearly, the pregnancy severed the connection between her brain and her mouth because she never would have spit it out that way had her brain worked. That was not the way to give Copper news he might not be enthused about, but once she’d gotten it in her mind to tell him, the words felt hot and sharp in her mouth, and they just jumped out.

They stared at each other. The stony expression Copper wore had nerves skittering beneath the surface of her skin. She wanted to rub the irritation away but stayed still, rooted in place.

“What did you say?” he asked, not a hint of excitement or even acknowledgment of what she’d revealed.

“I’m pregnant,” she whispered.

A harsh chuckle escaped him. “This a fucking joke, Shell? Cuz it ain’t funny.”

Her breath hitched, and she shook her head as tears filled her eyes. “No. Not a joke. I’m nine weeks pregnant,” she whispered.

“Nine weeks?” he spat out as he paced away from her. “Nine fucking weeks and you didn’t think to tell me before now?”

“I was gonna,” she said as she rose on shaky legs. “I was gonna tell you after I confirmed it at the doctor, which was the day…” She cleared her throat. “The day you told me you wanted a vasectomy.” For the first time since they became a couple, Shell didn’t know how to act toward Copper.

Should she go to him?

Should she stay away?

Should she talk or remain quiet?

Would he want her touch at that moment?

Never before had she felt insecure when it came to their relationship, and the emotion had her stomach churning.

“You’re goddamn right I want a fucking vasectomy.” He threw his hands up in the air, accidentally hitting a canister of flour which clattered to the floor in a white powdery cloud. “Jesus,” he shouted. “What the hell were you thinking?”

The question hit her like a slap to the face, making her stumble back. “What?” she whispered, then her voice grew in strength. “What was I thinking?” Her laugh sounded ugly and bitter even to her own ears. “Pretty sure it took both us of us to put your child in me.”