Page 78 of Where We Promise

“What?”

Killian dipped his chin. “Just feels like maybe your marriage isn’t so fake…”

Why did it feel like he’d shoved a hot steel poker into my chest?

“I’ve always had deeper feelings for her.”

Wes narrowed his eyes, like I was a puzzle he was trying to work out. “But you didn’t ever act on them?”

“I didn’t want the club for her…I didn’t want her to be tied to it. So, I just let her go, but then Luke…” I set a few pieces of the new exhaust on the table, adjusting them as I thought through my answer. “By the time I had pulled my head from my ass, he had stepped in.”

Wes moved again, this time he typed something on his phone then clapped me on the shoulder. “Well, she’s yours now. That’s all that really matters in the end, right?”

“Unless…well if raising Luke’s kid isn’t in your plans,” Killian added with a dip of his chin.

I didn’t know what to say…it wasn’t like these concerns hadn’t run through my mind before. If I chose to keep her, and then she wanted someone else…or wouldn’t forgive me for killing the father of her child. I suppose maybe some scenario, where he didn’t die, if he came clean and asked for forgiveness, she could even take him back.

I was so focused on my work, and in my head, I hadn’t realized Wes and Killian left.

I was alone working on the bikes again, just waiting to hear back from Penelope or Harris. I had left the club to find her, only to see a text from Harris that Penelope had gone into town, and he was on her tail. I decided to get some work done, and wait for her. Just then my phone buzzed with an incoming text.

Harris: Not to intrude in anything personal but Penelope received a phone call about half an hour ago, and she’s been visibly upset ever since.

My brows cinched in as I punched out a reply.

Me: Is she still on the phone, where is she?

Harris: She’s in her car, still in the parking lot of her doctor’s appointment.

She had an appointment today? I thought she said she’d tell me when she had them.

Me: I can be there in ten minutes.

Harris: She just hung up, looks like she’s leaving now. I’ll update you on where she’s going.

Me: Thank you, Harris.

I dropped my phone, worry stilting my movements. She was supposed to tell me when she had appointments, I thought that was our deal. Was she that angry at me that she’d go to another appointment alone?

Even with Harris, it could be dangerous.

Harris: She’s on her way back to the club.

Good. I’d meet her at the cabin and sort this shit out.

TWENTY-SIX

PENELOPE

Lamaze class was stupid.

Really fucking lame.

Okay, maybe it wouldn’t have been so bad if I had a partner, but because I didn’t, it was stupid. I was surrounded by happy couples who had loving partners stroke their bellies and help them breathe. I eyed one couple with so much envy that I nearly cried. The two women were so verbally supportive of each other, one constantly stroking the other's hair, telling her how beautiful and strong she was. Telling her she was going to be the best mother to their child. I wanted to crawl out of my skin from jealousy.

I should have asked Natty, Callie or Laura to go with me. Or all three for fuck’s sake. Anything but being alone.

I knew Harris was right outside, keeping watch, but there was something humiliating when I considered asking him. I couldn’t have someone I saw as a pseudo father figure sitting behind me, helping me breathe through contractions.

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