Page 103 of His Big Bad Stick

I rub my jaw and watch Abrielle sleep.

I mean, I’ll be fair and honest about things. She’s always been pretty. Cute. Beautiful. Sexy. In her own messy artist kind of way. Not that I’m the kind of guy that requires some high-maintenance woman.

Hell, why do you think Dr. Whitney and I clashed so badly? That had been a disaster from the second I met her. The only reason we were cordial now was because of how bad that date and introduction was for both of us.

I sneak to my bedroom, grab the heavy top comforter and bring it out to the couch so I can cover Abrielle up.

She lets out a long breath but doesn’t move.

I grab a slice of pizza - I’m only going to eat one - and I sit in a chair.

I consider turning on something to watch but then I decide I don’t want to make noise and wake Abrielle up.

I’m not sure if I’m being considerate or I just don’t want to hear her talk anymore for today.

So I sit there in the dark, eating a slice of pizza, with nothing left to do but think.

About my career.

About my unborn baby.

About the way I feel about my unborn baby’s mother…

25

Abrielle

Jess grabs the coffee out of my hand before I can take a sip.

“What the hell?” I cry out.

“You’re pregnant? Really? And you’re drinking coffee?”

“What’s wrong with coffee?”

“Caffeine! You have to limit yourself now.”

“Okay. I am.” I grab the cup back from Jess. “I’m limiting myself to this coffee right here.”

“You’re pregnant,” she whispers. “Like… baby pregnant…”

“No, I’m pregnant with a gallon of paint for the gallery.”

“Did that happen by using a paintbrush?”

I laugh and snort. “Good one, Jess.”

“Congrats though. Like, seriously. I didn’t even know you were…”

She cringes.

I nod. “It’s fine. I’m not in a relationship or anything like that. It’s just one of those things. Remember I told you the story about the old gallery?”

Jess gasps. “You’re having his baby?”

“No. The guy who saved me. Who paid for all my paintings.”

“Oh. Okay. That makes sense. You sold your vagina and now you’re pregnant.”

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