Page 9 of Crossing Lines

Shiiit!

“Did you do this to her? I’ll kick your ass, man!”

“Carter. Stop. He didn’t do this. I told you, it was an accident. I did it.” The kid looked torn. He didn’t want to believe me, but he knew, deep down, that Trace would never hurt me. I’d cut his dick off and choke him with it if he tried. Suddenly, my stomach started to roll, and I thought I wasn’t going to make itoff the table. Ya know, I was going to run to the bathroom, and everything would be fine. Nope. That’s a big negative.

I slid off the exam table just fine; it was the buckling of my knees that did me in. I tipped forward, and the sudden motion gave my stomach permission to shove itself up my throat. I heaved and tossed my cookies over three pairs of boots.

“Oh, Stella.” Shelby was by my side the second I sat back and closed my eyes, hoping that helped to keep me from tossing my cookies again.

“What’s going on here?” I knew that voice and its tone very well. Somebody had called my daddy. His was one of the sets of boots I’d just decorated with my breakfast. I grimaced.Fuck!

“Daddy, I’m okay, just a little?—”

“I got a call that you were smashing up a truck at the bar. Then, when I get there, someone tells me you’ve been hurt. I come in, find you bloody, and now you’ve puked on my boots. That’s far from okay, Stella Grace. Start talking, now!”

Oh yeah, he was pissed—I was toast.

“Everyone out!” Shelby barked. “I need to assess her injuries, and in order to do that properly, I’ve got to get her out of this bloody top. Out, the lot of you. Grab a towel and wipe your boots down too. I don’t need that vomit everywhere.” She and Dani Lynn helped me up. I raised my head and met Carter’s worried gaze, my daddy’s pissed off scowl, and Trace’s semi-pissed/semi-worried face.

“I’m okay,” I stated as I wiggled back onto the exam table. “I’ll explain, I promise. Just…”

“We’ll be right outside, princess.” My daddy turned and cuffed Carter around the neck and pulled him out of the room. Trace didn’t say anything; he just nodded at us and turned to leave.

“Wait,” I said, softly. “Shelby, I need him to stay with me. Please?” I pleaded with her. I was scared shitless, but I knew heneeded to be here. I had to tell him first. Tears started falling down my cheeks. The second his arms went around me and the exam room door shut, a sob wrenched free.

“Stel, baby, you have to tell me what’s going on. You’re making me worry here.” He sounded pained.

I took in a deep breath and spoke before I thought better of it. I could do this. I had to. He deserved to know. “I’m…I’m pregnant.”

A clatter filled the room, and I jerked up to see Dani Lynn, slack-jawed, her fingers still curled like she was holding the small kit that was now on the floor.

“Shit. Sorry.” She busied herself picking up the stuff she had dropped. Shelby bent down and said something to her that made her nod vigorously. I looked back at Trace, who had gone deathly still.

His eyes met mine, and a smile started to tip up his lips. Something in me eased. “Holy shit! You for real?” He sounded shocked but over the moon at the same time.

“Yes. Shelby told me this morning. I thought it was just bad chili...” The damn tears started again. Pregnant one day and I’d already turned into a water bag.

Jesus, help me.

“Oh, sweetheart.” He kissed my forehead and held me to his chest.

“Y’all, I know this is big news and all, but I need to get her wounds looked at. Tracey, glove up and help her get that shirt off. Stel, I need to give you something for the pain and something to help you calm down. I don’t want you passing out on us again. Nor do I want to be throat-punched when I start cleaning that hand and arm.”

“Okay,” I agreed, grimacing as my arms were pulled free of my shirt. Shelby pricked me three times with needles and stepped back.

“Give those a few minutes to kick in and then we’ll get her cleaned up. Stel, if you start to feel pain, tell me, okay?”

I nodded. “I broke my bat…” I whined.

“It can be replaced,” Trace said. I could hear anger creeping back into his voice. I hid my face against his chest.

“I know you did, babe. I’ll make sure you get a new one, or two. Okay? Just let Shelby get you cleaned up, alright?” Dani Lynn said, smiling.

I nodded. I’d broken my freaking bat! How could I be so stupid? My poor Louie. He’d been such a good bat.

And… that makes me sound like a total nutter.

“Relax, sweetheart.” Trace rubbed the back of my neck, and I couldn’t help but do just as he asked, until Shelby started working on my hand and arms. It wasn’t bad, pain-wise, but I did feel some of it. Guess that was my penance for being a total lunatic.

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