Page 95 of The First Chord

“The reasons for fucking him over or paying someone else to do it are growing,” Joey said, bending to tie the laces of his boots. “I fucking pity that kid if it’s his.”

“I think we know it will be.”

“How the hell do you work that out?” Joey asked.

“Because I’m happy.”

“And?”

“Well, whoever it is up there deciding our fate probably thinks I need bringing back down to earth.” I dropped my gaze to the floor not wanting to see the look on Joey’s face that said he agreed.

“Maybe not, Ronald.” Joey stood up and stretched. “Let’s go and find out.”

“She may not even be awake yet.”

“Well, like the Prince in Snow White you can just sit and watch her sleep, you big softy.” He nudged me. “And while you do, I can see if that cute little nurse is working again.”

As we pulled the door closed behind us, a feeling of dread dropped like a stone in my stomach. Something told me that heartache was waiting around the corner. That heartache was either Amber hadn’t woken up or the baby was Jimmy’s. Of the two, my biggest hope was that she was awake, because we could work something out if the baby was his.

As we waited for the lift and we stood in silence, the fear started to strangle me again. My skin was itching with the need to be with Amber, and I couldn’t get there fast enough. I was seconds away from going for the stairs when the doors slid open, and Beau and Elliot appeared.

“What’s happened?” I gripped my hair, already feeling the pain in my chest building.

“Nothing, nothing,” Elliot came to me and put his hands on my shoulders. “Everything is fine.”

“In fact, I think we can say you are one special boy.”

Frowning in confusion, I looked at Beau. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Beau,” Elliot warned. “Not here.”

“Will you tell me what the hell is going on? Because, honestly, at this point it’s close call between whether I kick you in the bollocks and feed you your own dick or Jimmy.”

“Let’s go back to your room.” Elliot tried to lead me, but I wasn’t budging.

“No. I’m going to the hospital. I need to see Amber and why the fuck are you back here?”

“We’ll explain everything.” Elliot said in that coaxing tone of his. “Please, Ron.”

“Is she okay? At least tell me that.”

“She’s fine,” Beau replied, putting a hand under my arm and turning me around. “She’s awake.”

Pulling away from him, I dropped my hands to my knees and gulped in a huge breath of relief. Exhaling it slowly, I blew out my cheeks and tried to ignore the sting of tears.

“She’s going to be okay?” I looked up at Beau and Elliot who were grinning like fucking idiots. “Really?”

“Really. She’s a bit sore and has a bad head but she’s fine.”

“What about Jimmy? Was he still there?” Something struck me. “Please tell me you didn’t leave her alone with him.”

“No mate.” Beau pointed back down the corridor. “Let’s go to the room and then you can call her.”

I shook my head. “I’m going there now. I’m going to see her.”

“It’ll take one minute to call her. She really wants to talk to you but needs to get some sleep.”

“Why? Why does she need to sleep?” Panic set in.

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