Page 14 of Gunner

“You didn’t.”

“Seems like I did.”

“Who is it?”

“Nat.”

“The girl from the party? Did you know she’s homeless?”

“How the hell did you know that?”

“She told me. I offered her a place to stay, but she said no,” Kiki explains.

“Fuck!” I roar once more.

“You got her pregnant? What the hell, Dad?”

“I know! Fuck me, I know. I fucked up.”

“You have to go get her.”

“And do what with her? She didn’t want to stay, Kiki. I asked her,” I tell her.

“Damn. This is a mess.” Indeed it is.

“What are you going to tell mom?” Kiki asks me.

“Not shit. She doesn’t run my life, and it’s none of her business.”

“You don’t think she’ll find out?”

“Eventually, but for now, you keep this shit between us, yeah?” I look between her and Hodge. They both nod their heads, and I know they won’t say anything to anyone. Of course, I need to tell the guys, but I have time to do that.

Chapter 6

Natasa

I’m sick. So fucking sick I can barely hold my head up. Rick has been by my side, and we’ve been staying at the local shelter. I’ve been working a little at a small grocery store to save a little money, but I haven’t been able to work in the last month due to being sick. It’s horrible. I can’t eat, can’t drink.

“I think you should go to the hospital,” Rick urges as I heave into a bucket. Nothing comes out because nothing has gone in.

“Can’t afford it,” I tell him as I hug the bucket in my arms.

“Nat, you look horrible. You’ve lost more weight. This isn’t good.”

“I’ll be okay,” I reassure him. He sighs and stands to his feet, walking away from me. I know he’s trying. I know he’s been trying to help me, and I appreciate that more than he knows.

I slowly lie back down on the cot and close my eyes, hoping this will pass soon. I must fall asleep, and that’s what I need. I need rest, but then I hear him.

“Where the hell is she?” The growl thunders through the room as I pry my eyes open. I turn my head to see Gunner storming toward me with the look of a madman on his face. I start to sit up, but I feel too dizzy, so I lay back down.

“She’s right here,” I hear Rick tell him. What the hell? Did he call him?

“A month. Nat. It’s been a fuckin’ month!” He yells louder the closer he gets to me. He looks down at me on the cot, and I have nothing to say. I’ve been too sick to go back and see him. I open my mouth, but I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing.

“You look like shit.”

“I know.”

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