Page 30 of Lick

“Let me get some food sorted, and we can talk some more. No matter what happens now, we need to navigate how we’re going to co-parent our baby.”

She sighs but nods. “Okay.”

“Okay,” I repeat, kissing her forehead. “I’ll be right back.”

I head out without looking back because if I have to see her in that bed one more time looking lost and vulnerable, I’m going to climb in beside her. I make my way past the nurses’ station and head outside, pulling out my phone as I do and calling one of the prospects to pick me up some soup and ginger beer. Once that is done, I call my dad.

“You found her then?” he answers, without greeting.

“I’m at the hospital.”

“What the fuck happened?”

“I’m fine, but when I got to Emma’s, she was in pretty bad shape. Doc says she has something called hyperemesis gravidarum, which is basically extreme pregnancy sickness. I swear she’s lost at least ten pounds since I’ve seen her.”

I hear him sigh and can picture him rubbing his hand over his face. “Whatcha need?”

“I need Emma to meet the brothers. I need her to know if anything happens to me, she’s protected, and so is our kid.”

“You sure it’s your kid?”

I bristle at his tone but bite my lip. “I’m sure.”

“Might want to get a test anyway. You know how women can be.”

“Right. I’m sure she’ll feel so welcome at the club. What could I possibly have to worry about?”

“Boy…” he warns me, and I swear it takes everything in me to bite down my retort.

“You know she could have just as easily gotten rid of it, and we’d be none the wiser. Hell, she could have had the baby and put it up for adoption without telling me or kept it and gone no contact with me. You’d never have even known you had a grandchild out there. Instead, she did the right thing, and I can’t help but wonder if she’s regretting that now.”

He’s quiet for a minute before eventually speaking. “We’ll talk to the brothers at church. Bring her around to meet them. We’ll be on our best behaviour.” His voice is laced with sarcasm.

“I don’t need you on your best behaviour. I just need you to make sure you don’t run her off.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“We’re talking about my kid.” My voice cracks, and I know he hears it when he sucks in a sharp breath.

“Alright, Lick. We’ll make it right.”

“Thank you.”

I take a deep breath because I’m not trying to be a dick here. Everything I thought I wanted out of life has suddenly just been flipped on its head. Even the talk with the guys about creating a record label seems unimportant right now. Though if anything, it’s more important than before. I don’t want to miss huge chunks of my kids’ lives by being on the road, but that’s a conversation for another time.

“I’m heading back in. I just wanted to keep you updated.”

“Alright. Anything else you need?”

“Actually, yeah. Can you have someone sent around to fix Emma’s door? She didn’t answer and I kicked it in.”

“Text me the address, and I’ll get it sorted for you.”

“You got it. Oh, and about Tash, I pulled her from the upcoming tour. She’s just a regular club girl again.”

“Thank fuck. I appreciate it, Dad.”

“We’ll talk later, yeah?”