Page 86 of His Big Bad Stick

“You’re going to be a father,” Faust says.

“Yeah,” I say. “That’s why I came here.” I glance at Abrielle and curl my lip. “I wanted to tell you guys in person. Explain what’s been going on with me. Maybe get a little advice. Well, not advice. You guys don’t know shit about this. Just…”

“Ah, man, you wanted a hug from us,” Dax says. “You’re secretly a big mush.”

“This is so exciting!” Button Nipples calls out.

She hurries to climb across the table and off, reaching for Abrielle.

“My sister just found out last week she’s pregnant,” Button Nipples says. “Congrats!”

Just like that the first person to congratulate Abrielle and I on the pregnancy is a topless woman with her left nipple pierced.

“I kind of want to hurt you right now,” Abrielle says to Button Nipples.

“For what?” Button Nipples asks. “I didn’t do anything to your man. Other than a casual introduction. He actually acted like he wanted nothing to do with us. He must really love you.”

“Fuck!” I growl.

Love? Fuck no! There is no fucking love…

“This is getting good,” Faust says.

I grab the pregnancy test off the table. “Fuck this then. Thought I could tell you guys something going on in my life. Think you guys could go to a bar after a game once in a while?”

“There’s a bar here,” Faust says.

“Fuck you,” I say.

Faust stands right up.

“No fighting at the club,” Rhett says.

“Let’s go check out the parking lot then,” Faust says.

For a goalie, this guy is always angry.

I’m the one who’s angry though.

I’m fucking livid right now.

I grab Abrielle’s hand and start to walk.

She catches up to my pace and I take her through the back of the club to get out of there.

My teeth clench so tight they hurt.

“Colver, you don’t understand,” Abrielle says.

I stop and turn to face her.

The hallway is mostly dark.

It smells like a gentlemen’s club. Faint music playing.

And I’m staring down at Abrielle.

“You fucking followed me here,” I say. “You thought… what? I was bolting on you? To come to a club and pay women to dance naked for me?”

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