Page 19 of Rolling with my Best Friend's Brothers

We order for Avery, too, just in case.

When we get to the diner, a few of our friends from the motorcycle club are there. Stonewall is there talking to some guys I’ve never met. They look military but are dressed like bikers and the group of them matches the number of motorcycles outside.

I head over to see what’s going on and he says, “We up for some recruits? When these guys get out of the military in a few months, they’re looking to settle in the area.”

“We’ll talk to Prez, but I’m sure we can vet them. Always happy to help some brothers-in-arms find family when they get out.”

“They’ve already found some family, complete with a few bumps in the road, but we can help ease entry into civilian life the best we can.”

We exchange greetings, and they seem like nice guys, but I explain, “Hey, our sister’s in labor so we have to get back to the hospital. Catch you later?”

“Thanks, we’ll be in touch.”

“Sounds good.” Families. Bumps in the road. Fuck, there’s a lot of families falling on the right side of things right now. Can we be so lucky?

Fourteen

Beatrix

Avery groans and grabs her belly. Helping her navigate a real contraction is a vastly different experience than the dry run-through we did in the birthing class. Plus, these picked up faster than the class and doctor anticipated.

I do my best to talk her through the pain, as we practiced.

I’m grateful that Cheri showed up. She and Avery had gotten close when Avery worked at Keep Yer Belly Full diner. She’s also on the roller derby team and after her big reveal that she’s pregnant with her stepbrother’s baby, she’s going to be out with the Nine Month Injury soon. We joke about the future of the team.

It’s only partially funny in light of my unprotected sex with Wyatt.

My efforts to help Avery seem trivial in light of what she’s going through. Nothing could prepare me for how much I hate seeing her in this kind of pain.

It’s almost enough to push my lovers from my mind. Lovers? I shouldn’t be thinking of them that way. I shouldn’t be thinking of them at all. This is why I shouldn’t be involved with her brothers. We’ll end up hurting her. I have to keep it together.

I force myself to focus on Avery. The guys made it back from the diner and are waiting in the lobby.

As far as Avery knows, we’re carrying out the original game plan. Her brothers were all prepared to do backup if I couldn’t make it, but we always knew I would be here for my BFF. It’s wild to watch a woman go through labor. It’s humbling and awe-inspiring.

I rub a hand on my belly as the doctor checks Avery. A few short hours ago, I took a risk. What have I done? I let lust crowd my judgment.

“It’s time to push,” the doctor says. He and the nurse get serious.

Cheri and I offer support from either side of the bed, and after thirty minutes that have left me sweating and my hand nearly broken from Avery crushing it, Avery holds her baby girl. The nurse helps the two of them get breastfeeding going. The whole miraculous and terrifying event is over. It’s beautiful in a crazy way. I’m a little bit glad that Avery’s ex is out of the picture, so I could be here with her.

This world right here in this room is perfect. If only we could isolate ourselves. Avery cares for her new baby as if she’s had her forever. But I know she’s worried that she’s one paternity suit away from having terrible people in her life and her innocent child’s life.

Cheri goes to the lobby to let everyone know that mom and baby are fine.

The baby drifts off, and Avery must be in some kind of post-labor, euphoric bliss because she seems oblivious to what her body just went through. She says, “I thought it was weird when the guys said they couldn’t get out because a tree fell on the road. I mean, they’re lumberjacks.”

I paste a smile on my face to hide my nerves.

“It’s like they tricked you into staying, or maybe to keep me away. I think they were terrified I’d pop on their watch.”

“They’re truly excited about you and the baby. Look at everything they’ve done for you.”

“I know. But they should have offered to take you home. Did your call go okay?”

“It was fine,” I say, glossing over the fact that fine is the last thing that call was.

“I’m sorry they think they can control everybody.”

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