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“Yeah,” I said quietly. “I sometimes forget how cool it is.”
His eyes slid up to meet mine, and he looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn’t. Instead, our eyes locked, and for a moment, I pretended he actually felt something for me. Though I knew in my heart it wasn’t true, for some reason, I really needed to pretend tonight.
When a loud horn sounded, his eyes flicked over my shoulder, and I sighed. I was only making it worse when I did the things I did, but sometimes I couldn’t help it.
Turning, I slid from the seat until I stood on the ground and looked over my shoulder. “Thanks for the ride.”
He didn’t reply, but in all honesty, I didn’t give him time to before I slammed the door closed and walked toward the clubhouse doors. I smiled at the new prospect manning the door, but I didn’t say anything. I used to flirt relentlessly with the prospects, but I wasn’t even sure I knew this one’s name.
I didn’t see anyone in the main room, so I headed toward the back doors and walked outside, not surprised when I saw how many people had gathered around. They were all drinking and laughing, some around the fire, some huddled in groups, but one thing was common: they were all happy to be there.
When I felt pressure along my belly, I headed toward Gunner and Maggie, hoping that spending some time with my friend would distract me from the overwhelming moodiness I felt tonight. It wasn’t just tonight, actually. It had been all day, and I was more tired than usual. If I was smart, I’d be at home and in bed, but I’d just wanted to be around people tonight.
“You made it,” Maggie said sweetly when she saw me heading toward them.
Forcing a smile to my face, I answered, “Did you expect me to miss a party?”
“Never.” Gunner grinned and gestured toward my belly with his beer bottle. “How’s the baby?”
I laid my hand on my belly. “We aren’t getting along today. He or she keeps kicking me.”
“Can I feel?” Maggie asked, and I nodded before she stepped closer and laid her hand on my belly. As if on cue, I felt a ripple and laughed when Maggie giggled and looked up at Gunner. “It’s so amazing.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and stared down at her with a look on his face that I’d never seen on any man’s face. “Yeah, it is.”
I loved that they found each other, but a part of me couldn’t help feeling a little jealous. I was about to bring a baby into this world, and it wasn’t made out of love. I’d never had a love like theirs and had my doubts I ever would.
“Where’s Bear?”
Gunner broke his stare with Maggie and looked around the yard just as another cramp tore through me. I held my breath, which I knew was making it worse, but I didn’t want anyone to know I wasn’t feeling well. I wasn’t ruining this celebration with my bad mood. It was important for the Sinners to have a night like this. Everyone had been on edge for a while, and they needed a night to just have fun.
“He was here.” He shrugged. “Not sure where he went.”
The pain subsided, but only a little this time, so I pointed at the back door of the clubhouse. “I’m gonna go to the bathroom. I’ll see if he’s inside.”
“Sounds good,” Gunner said.
I smiled at Maggie before heading back inside. I heard a few people call out to me, but I only lifted my hand in a wave. Normally, I’d stop and talk, but this time, I just didn’t feel like it. I walked inside and past Bear’s office, heading straight for the bathroom, but was just inside the door when a bigger pain tore through my stomach. I grabbed the sink when the door closed behind me and bent at the waist. Breathing deeply, I waited for it to subside, but when it didn’t after a minute like it usually did, I knew something was very wrong.
Pushing off the sink, I left the bathroom, and with my hand flat against the wall in the hallway, I walked slowly toward Bear’s office. If he wasn’t in his office, I wasn’t sure I would make it back outside to find him, but luckily, my phone was in my pocket so I could call him. Another pain ripped through my belly when I stopped outside of the office door. Once again, I bent at the waist, only this time, I could no longer stand. Sinking to my knees, I heard noises inside his office, and I knew what those noises were, but I didn’t care that Bear was obviously making out with someone.
I slammed my open hand against his door.
“Not now.”
I dropped my hand when pain like I hadn’t felt up to this point tore through me. “Bear,” I called out and recognized the weakness in my voice.
Within seconds, the door flew open, and Bear knelt before me, placing his hands on either side of my face. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.” I panted when the pain didn’t subside.
I heard Josie’s voice and something about an ambulance when Bear lifted me from the floor and laid me on the couch in his office. When Josie knelt beside the couch and grabbed my hand, I realized how much I really needed someone to comfort me. Suddenly, I was terrified of what was happening.
“Just squeeze my hand.”
I nodded, but pain and fear overwhelmed me. “It’s too soon.”
“You’re going to be just fine,” Josie said, her voice soft. “Did you take Lamaze classes?”
