Page 48 of Storm

Biting my tongue, I refuse to argue. He leans forward, forcing me to back up to keep some distance between us.

“You definitely know why I want to be there, and it’snotfor the baby. Well, not entirely. And just so we can clear the air, I absolutely don’t view you only as someone who warmed my cock for a few days and nothing more. There is more between us. I just don’t think either of us knows what that is yet. So, for now, I’m going to follow my gut and take care of you in ways I can. That starts with showing up for your appointment.”

I blink at him, rendered silent.What the fuck am I supposed to say to that?

“I see we have an understanding. Would you like anything from inside? A drink or a snack?”

Whispering, my voice cracks on my answer. “Water, please.” I clear my throat as he grabs his keys and wraps his fingers around them tightly.

“Noted. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Unless you’d like to come in and use the bathroom. We’ve still got another hour’s worth of driving before I get you home.”

I bare my teeth at him becauseof courseI have to pee. Without a word, I open the door and hurry into the gas station, leaving him to follow at an easy, relaxed pace. After doing my business, the drinks purchased, and the vehicle filled, we’re back on the road. I quietly sip at my oversized bottle of water, less anxious than before, but still uneasy.

Kevin’s gentle voice gives me a lot to think about for the remainder of our drive done in silence.

“It’s not my place to speak for the others, but you should know a few things before making decisions based on assumptions. There have been too many of those recently. Ezra and Tatum are loyal to a fault. You will have lifelong friends in them, if you allow it. Ezra can be overwhelming, but he is capable of operating within well-established boundaries once he’s settled. He and Tatum are connected in ways I don’t even fully understand, but they are showing you exactly who they are. Richard?—”

Richard is a dick.

“—is difficult, but for different reasons. What he won’t do is lie to you. He has reasons for his walls, but I believe that he’ll surprise you in the end. Whether your child is his or not, he’s committed.” There’s a long pause, then his final thought. “I’m sorry for being a major part of the reason you were insulted. That’s something I’ll do my best to remedy.”

Ireallyneed to talk to Susanna.

CHAPTER 23

MIRIAM

“Miriam Delgado?”

I didn’t even see the nurse step into the waiting room, too busy being overwhelmed by the four huge men scattered around the small space, sucking up all the air.

Leaning into my side, Susanna whispers, “Do you want Theo to ask them to stay out here?”

With a forced smile, I shake my head subtly, silently thanking her for being supportive. Standing, I don’t miss the way all of them rise in the same instant, Ezra bouncing on his toes, ready to hurry me into the back room.

“Susu and I will hang out here until you’re done,” Theo says, an arm slung across the back of Susanna’s chair. He eyes the guys, then teases, “I don’t think there’ll be enough room for all of us.”

They insisted on driving me over here so I wouldn’t have to take the bus, and I refused any of the potential fathers’ offers for a ride. I was shocked that even Richard reached out with an invitation. It was polite. So I returned his politeness with a simple, “No, thank you.”

The nurse doesn’t even lift a brow when I’m followed through halls by a contingent of silent men. As soon as we’re inside, theyall do their best to step out of the way and hold up a wall, except for Ezra.

“Take a seat so I can get your vitals.” I sit at the same time Ezra does, filling the chair next to me. He leans forward to watch as she wraps the blood pressure cuff around my upper arm, only flicking her gaze toward him once. “How have you been doing since we last saw you?”

She starts pumping up the cuff, and I wait until she’s done to answer, wincing when it tightens almost painfully around my bicep. It feels as though she went further than normal, and I blow out my held breath as she quickly releases it and jots down the numbers.

“Just tired. Still feeling nauseous at different times of the day, so that’s not fun.”

“Any headaches, changes in your vision, or spots?” She looks around the room, then asks, “Are you okay with these questions while everyone is in here?”

Waving them off, I let her know I’m fine. “Headaches, yes. They’ve been more frequent lately, more noticeable after a restless night of sleep. No blurry vision or spots. And I’m fine to answer anything with them here.” Smiling at her, I lean forward and read my blood pressure, then furrow my brows. “144 over 98 is kind of high.”

“It is, but we’ll get it sorted. Dr. Jolee will talk about it with you when she comes in. It looks like you’re about three months along now, that sound about right?” I hold my finger out when she grabs the pulse oximeter and she slips it on my finger. “Pulse looks good,” she says reassuringly.

“Twelve weeks and two days, to be exact,” I say as Ezra starts bobbing his head as if taking mental notes. I peek at the other three and see Kevin writing something down in one of those little notebooks you see journalists use. Pointing at him, I ask, “Are you taking notes, Kevin?”

He lifts his head slowly. “Yes.”

I raise a brow, not sure how to take that. “Okay,” I drawl out.

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