acting as if you belong. That makes them wary, but they can’t order you to be friendlier. What if you’re not a naturally warm guy? Or maybe prison made you bitchy. They’re not going to hold your hand, but I never hear them say shit about you. Even since you nailed Shelby, they only feel sorry for her. I think you’re seeing drama that isn’t brewing.”
“I don’t feel like I’m part of this club.”
“Do you want to be?”
Shrugging, I down more whiskey. “I ain’t looking to get screwed over by another club. I did right by the Skullz. That got me jack shit.”
“I can’t tell you one way or another on club stuff. What do I know? I’m new, and I’m sure I get special treatment because I’m tight with Max, Ramona, and Kelsi. My best friends are hooked up with the power in this chapter. So, yeah, I probably get treated with kid gloves. If you want to know how to get in good with the Reapers, why not ask Utah? They love his ass.”
“Not as much as you, though, right?”
“I’ve seen better,” he says and shrugs. “Now, his stomach is a work of art.”
This right here is why I like Hugh. I try to push his buttons, and he just tells me I’m working with the wrong control panel. He might be half my size and find male plumbing far more fucking interesting than I do, but we always get along. Right now, with no one else in my life, I’ll take any ally I can find.
THE WEIRDO
I have no idea how to tell Shane that I’m pregnant from my wild tryst with his giant club brother. My baby bruv will handle the news badly. He’s been on edge since I got plowed anyway, and he wants so badly to protect me. Knowing I’m linked to Goliath forever will only piss him off.
That’s why I get creative and buy a blank “congrats” card. Inside, I write, “Dear Daddy, I’m going to be a cousin. Love, Iggy.” Then I give it to my nephew and shepherd him toward his father in the kitchen. Of course, Shane is busy goofing around with River and doesn’t take the envelope until Iggy goes savage on it.
“Hurry, before your child eats my card,” I insist when Shane won’t stop trying to tear hair out of River’s big beautiful head.
“What’s this?”
“I know you’re literate. Open and read, baby bruv.”
After freeing the card from his son’s slobber-covered hands, Shane reads it with his wonderful brown eyes and then frowns with his lovely tanned forehead.
“I already knew this,” he says and picks up Iggy.
“Come again?”
“River’s having a kid. That’s why Max waddles now.”
“I’m kicking your ass,” River growls and flicks Shane in the ear.
“Pay attention to me,” I demand before they start fighting. “The card isn’t talking about Iggy’s kinda cousin, Lil Maxine. He means his blood cousin.”
Shane smiles as Iggy uses his shirt as a napkin. Then he frowns at River, who stares at me. I see the exact moment when my dear brother buys a clue.
“No,” he says and shakes his head.
“I’m vulnerable and require emotional support from my loved ones,” I say and try to force tears.
“Does Goliath know?” River asks.
“Does creating life cause all men to become fucking idiots or just you two?”
“How am I an idiot?” Shane asks. “I mean, River is obvious, but I’m a damn genius.”
Shane knows I must compliment him and put his sweet ego above all others. However, I refuse to do so until I get the emotional support I require.
“You two are the first people besides me and the ghosts to know about the baby. I missed my period, and you know that never happens. I took a test, and it was positive. Now support me emotionally, or I will tantrum all up inside this house.”
Rather than say something nice, Shane just mutters in shock, “I can’t believe you didn’t tell Taylor before us.”
“I knew she’d be supportive, and I wanted to get the worst responses over with first.”
“I’m very supportive,” River says, deliberately walking over and hugging me. “I always support you. Unlike some judgmental people.”
“Watch it, old-timer,” Shane says, marching over and shoving him out of the way.
“No wrestling with the baby in the mix,” I demand and reach for Iggy, who stops gnawing on his father’s shoulder long enough to climb into my arms. “Do you support me? It’s still early, and I could lose the baby, and I’ll cry so much. There