Page 26 of The Bad Boy's Good Girl

“Yeah I did, but that’s not what’s important right now, is it?”

“Well it kind of is,” he answered with his hands on his hips, waiting for an answer.

“Fine, yes. We did it on Halloween at the party and then all week in D.C., are you happy now?” He stood, impatience rolling off him in waves.

“Why? Why couldn’t you just let her be the one girl you didn’t take to bed?”

“I tried, Brooks! I tried to be the good guy on Halloween and look after her but I’m just a fucking man! What’s the big deal, you said you and she were just friends?”

“We are, you idiot. But I care about her and I’m all she has left, or maybe not after the past week.”

“And that’s my fault?”

“No, but it certainly explains a lot.”

He didn’t want to hear this. “Whatever, Brooks. You figure that out while you keep an eye out. I’m going up and I’ll make sure Nola is all right.” He flashed a strained smile at his brother and took off up the stairwell, searching the second and third floors without luck. Finally on the fourth floor he’d heard her sweet, husky voice.

A brunette with a long dark braid smiled as she inched out of the room. “Are you sure, Nola? I heard two hot fellas were asking for you downstairs.”

“I’m sure. They’re just worried because there’s a lot going on this week at the office.”

Damn, that’s what she thought? Hearing her say that so casually like it was just an accepted truth made acid churn in his belly. He focused on the board as the nurse passed and then slipped inside the room she’d just vacated. “Hey, Nola.”

She gasped and wide green eyes slammed open. “What are you doing in my room?”

“Making sure you’re okay since apparently you don’t want any visitors.” That really pissed him off, especially for Brooks. “My brother is worried sick about you.”

“No, he’s not. And I am fine so you can leave too.” She turned on her side, away from him and waited.

“I’m not going anywhere until we talk.” The beeps and whistles of the machines made it crystal clear that they were in the hospital. Finally she turned to him and his gaze landed on the IV hooked up to her arm, the monitors taped to her chest. The oversized hospital gown.

“There’s nothing for us to talk about, Bronx. In fact, why are you even here? I don’t work for you and we’re not friends so don’t act all concerned now. It’s not a good look for you.”

“Who in the hell are you?”

“I’m who I need to be right now. See you later, Bronx.” She shifted uncomfortably as one machine began to beep faster and her gaze slid to one of the monitors as another began to beep faster as well. “Please, leave.”

“No. Why are you in here? Are you sick? Are you dying?”

“None of your business!” She began to cry and the beeps got louder and faster. “Go, now.”

Bronx stepped towards her as the door flew open and the same dark haired nurse rushed in. “Nola, you need to relax. What’s stressing you out? You know this isn’t good for the baby.”

“What baby?”

“Oh, dear. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, Valerie.He was just leaving.”

How could she lie there all calm and cool when his world had just been flipped upside down? “The hell I am! We need to talk. Now!”

Valerie turned towards him and frowned, hands fisted on her hips. “Oh, you’re leaving. The question is are you going to take your cute little butt out on your own feet or will hospital security have to drag you out?”

He ignored her and stared at Nola. “You’re having my baby and you weren’t going to tell me?”

Her blank stare remained, looking bored but he could see the stress around her mouth and eyes. “Does it matter since you know now?”

“What the hell, Nola? Who are you?”

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