Page 34 of Cash

“Shoot me now,” I mutter as I hobble back to his room.

An hour goes by and Liam’s still fussing. I’ve done everything I know to do, and I’m at my wits’ end. The only time he quiets slightly is when I walk around the house, bouncing him lightly and singing to him. I’m no singer, but it seems to calm him, so I continue making laps around the house and singing the few songs I know the words to. They’re definitely not kid-friendly, but I’m hoping he’s still too young to be scarred for life by the lyrics.

I can see the sun rising through the window, and I’m still pacing the floor with Liam. He’s finally quieted down, so I make my way to his crib. As soon as his back hits the mattress, his eyes pop open. How’s that even possible? I freeze in place, hoping to see his eyes droop closed, but they don’t. When his little legs and arms start flailing around, I know sleep is not in my future. Who needs to go to a gym to work out when they have a child? I’m starting to see Axel’s wisdom in the baby slings he uses. At least then my hands would be free to get other things done.

After another hour of pacing, Liam’s finally asleep. I ever so carefully lay him down in his crib and exit the room. I’m not sure I even breathed while doing it, so once I’m in the hall, I take a couple of slow deep breaths. Walking to my bed, I don’t even pull the blankets back. I simply faceplant in the middle and sigh in relief. My mind and body are both exhausted, and I’m positive I won’t be able to move for a week.

That thought leaves my brain instantly when I hear pounding on my front door. My body bolts from the bed in a desperate attempt to get the pounding to stop before it wakes Liam. In my rush, my elbow collides hard with the doorway, but that doesn’t slow my feet down at all. I make it to the door in seconds, throw it open only to find Axel and Pooh standing there grinning like fools.

“What the fuck? I got a baby sleeping in here, you assholes,” I mutter while rubbing my throbbing elbow.

Both push past me and make their way to the kitchen. Pooh gets busy making coffee while Axel starts rummaging through the fridge. I love my club brothers but not so much at this moment.

“You’ve got nothing good to eat in here,” Axel states as he closes the fridge and starts making his way through the various cupboards.

“I haven’t had a chance to get groceries. I’ve been a little busy,” I grumble as I plant my ass in a chair.

“Coffee’s on. That’ll perk you up, my little ray of fucking sunshine,” Pooh says with a laugh.

Axel stops his search to take a long look at me then he walks to the table and stares down at me.

“What?” I bark irritably.

“What’s going on here? You’re a hot mess, Cash,” Axel says quizzically while waving his hand in the air around my face.

“You calling me hot, Axel?” I snark.

“Gash on the back of your head. Limping and rubbing your elbow. You’re looking like you went five rounds with Cain Valesquez, not just became a dad. What’s going on? Little Liam kicking your ass?”

“I’m fine. Everything’s fine,” I respond too quickly.

Axel’s eyebrows shoot upward as his mouth turns to a smirk. Well, fuck. My worst nightmare’s about to become a reality.

“It’s what I’m always saying. Being a dad’s hard work, and it’s exhausting. You two jackoffs always laughing at me for saying it, but you know it’s true now. Admit it! I’m right!” Axel gloats.

“Fuck off,” I mumble.

“Don’t let him be right, Cash. We’ll never hear the end of it,” moans Pooh as he sets a cup of coffee in front of me.

“Oh, I’m right, and so’s Pooh. You’re never hearing the end of this. But, because I’m a fucking awesome club brother, I’m here to answer all your daddy questions. You can learn from me, my little grasshopper. I’m at your service,” Axel crows while taking a bow.

While contemplating the method of death I’m about to use on him, I hear the front door open and footsteps coming our way. I make eye contact with Chubs as he walks, smiling as always, into the kitchen.

“You have a son to raise, Cash. Killing Axel isn’t worth the years of Liam’s life you’d miss out on,” Chubs advises as he starts setting bags down on the table. How he knows Axel’s life is in peril, I have no idea, but Chubs always knows these types of things.

Chubs speaks the truth, so I ignore Axel’s snickering. Chubs empties the bags, putting away the grocery items he brought. The last bag contains take-out containers from Ava’s bakery and my mouth waters at the smells coming from them.

“Appreciate this, Chubs,” I tell him as I start opening containers.

“I was hungry. Figured you were too,” Chubs replies.

“You’re always hungry,” laughs Pooh.

“Truth,” Chubs answers with a grin.

Everyone digs into the bounty Ava made and Chubs brought. It’s not long before only crumbs remain. As I start cleaning up the mess, I hear Liam. Chubs waves me off as he leaves the room and returns with a cooing baby.

I get a bottle ready and hand it off to Chubs. For someone who doesn’t have children, he looks like a pro as he sits down to feed Liam. Pooh pours more coffee for all of us, and we sit quietly watching Chubs bond with my son.

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