“I’m glad you could make it,” Cara said as she glanced in the direction of Tigger and the woman.
Baylee shook her head. “I can’t believe he has the fucking nerve to be so open about his cheating, especially with Sofia coming to the meeting.”
“Sofia’s not coming,” Cherri said. “And Tigger’s a fuckin’ idiot.” The women burst into laughter, and a jolt of satisfaction rushed through Baylee as she saw Tigger turn and glare at the women.
“We’re all here. Are you feeling okay? You look peaked,” Belle said.
“Actually, I’ve been feeling like crap for the last few weeks. I didn’t think I was going to make it today because I was so nauseous this morning. I think I may have the flu, but it comes and goes, which is weird.”
“Do you throw up?” Addie asked.
“Sometimes.”
“Do certain smells really bother you?” Cara said.
Baylee nodded.
“What about heartburn?” Clotille said.
“Not really.”
Cherri leaned forward. “Does the nausea last all day some days and only a little on others?”
“Yeah, or sometimes I’m not nauseous at all. Why all the questions? Is that what the flu symptoms are like this season?”
“Sounds like you’re pregnant,” Belle said, and the others voiced their agreement.
“Pregnant? No way. Impossible. I’m on birth control.”
“Classic signs of morning sickness,” Cara said.
Morning sickness? Pregnant? I can’t be fucking pregnant. I’m in the middle of opening another office in Aspen. And Axe doesn’t want kids. We both decided if we changed our minds, it’d be years from now. I can’t be. No. Impossible.
Clotille placed her hand over Baylee’s and squeezed it. “This is so exciting. You have to go to a doctor right away. Dr. Neely is the best. I got her name from Cara when I was pregnant with James.”
Baylee pulled her hand away. “Wait. Stop. I’m not pregnant. Axe and I don’t want kids.”
“Who doesn’t want kids? I’m so happy my Paisey’s in my life,” Cherri said softly.
“Paisley’s adorable, and so are Harley, Braxton, Isa, James, and all the other kids, but we just don’t want them. Maybe when we’re in our late thirties we may change our minds, but we’re good the way we are.”
“Just because you don’t want kids doesn’t mean you’re not pregnant,” Belle said.
“And the pill isn’t foolproof. You’re one of the two percent like I was,” Addie added.
All of a sudden, a wave of nausea washed over Baylee. She covered her mouth and ran to the bathroom, hoping she could make it in time and not embarrass the hell out of herself.
Twenty minutes later, she splashed cold water on her face and finger-combed her hair. Dread wove through her as she tried to remember the last time she’d had her period. It seemed that she was a little late, but she was never regular like most of her friends were.
“I’ve just got the flu. That’s all,” she said to her reflection. Drying her face, she fought down the nausea as she decided to call it quits and go home to get under the covers.
The knowing looks on the old ladies’ faces irked her. “I guess I shouldn’t have tried to come today. I’m going to go home and get into bed. This flu is the shits. Call me and update me about the fundraiser, Belle. I’ll talk to you all later.”
“If you need Dr. Neely’s phone number, let me know,” Clotille said as she left.
Baylee looked over her shoulder and mustered a smile. “Thanks, but a few days of rest, soda crackers, and chicken soup will do wonders.”
I can’t be pregnant.
And with that thought in her mind, she stepped out into the sunshine and breathed in the frosty air.
Chapter Four
Sofia
Sofia swayed over to the bathroom and turned on the faucet. Cupping the cool water in her hands, she rinsed her beaten face, wincing when her fingers touched the skin. Drying the water gently from her face with a towel, dread wove through her as she assessed what Tigger’s recent tantrum had done to her. There was a cut above her right eye, the blood already dried and brown, and bruises were beginning to form on both cheeks. She glanced down, noting the grip marks on her arms were pronounced; he loved to keep her from running as he raged and screamed.
She hung the towel up and walked slowly to the couch in the living room. When she sat down, a small yelp escaped her lips. She placed her hands on her belly and pressed down, hoping the pain would subside. It felt like her guts were on fire.
She glanced over at the small china cabinet they’d purchased together when Tigger had first been released from prison. How happy she’d been back then. She’d waited four long years for his release, marking each day off her calendar with a black marker. Twice a month, she’d drive two hundred miles to Canon City to see him, then turn around and drive back to Pinewood Springs. Back then, she’d thought she’d die from missing him so much. The whole reason he had done time was because he was protecting her from some jerk who was coming on to her and saying nasty things. Tigger flipped out and had practically beaten the man to death. He wouldn’t have done that if he didn’t love me, would he? She asked herself that question a lot.
The first six months after Tigger had been released on parole, they couldn’t get enough of each other. They fucked, made love, watched silly movies, went for long rides on his Harley, and ate tons of pizza. It had been romantic and magical, and she couldn’t remember a time in her life that she’d been happier.
And then it had ended.
If she had to pinpoint the exact time it’d stopped, it was when they went to Steelers with the rest of the Insurgents and she was sitting with Cara, Addie, Cherri, and Kimber, laughing and talking with them. Tigger was with his brothers, but she’d noticed he kept looking at her, and each time she’d glanced at him, his gaze grew more hostile and ominous. Not knowing what was going on with him, she presumed something had come up with one of the rival clubs and he was super pissed about it. A lot of the Insurgent men wore perpetual scowls or menacing looks on their faces, so she’d grown used to it.
When they’d said their goodbyes and went to the parking lot, he turned her toward him and smacked her full force across the face. Her teeth had rattled and she’d been so surprised by it that she simply stood there gaping. He then grabbed her by the neck and pushed her against his Harley. People had started milling out of the bar by that point, so he walked her over to the bushes and threw her into them, then started choking her. She’d clawed at his hands, but the rage and anger flashing in his eyes made her think she was going to die. Not sure what had provoked such a reaction in him, she helplessly tried to push him away. And then he’d let go.