Page 62 of Ravaged and Ruined
I grip the sink like it’s all that’s holding me up. My vision swims. My chest cracks open but I’m holding the proof of everything I refuse to face. Lacey is mine. This kid is mine and I’ve fucked it all up.
I storm through the clubhouse, my boots thudding like hammers on the floor, the pregnancy test clenched in my fist like a loaded weapon. Every step stokes the fire burning in my gut. My head’s splitting open. All I see are those two pink lines.
I sent her away without even a goodbye. I told her I didn’t love her. God I’m such an idiot. No wonder she didn’t tell me.
But someone knew.
I round the corner into the common room like a wrecking ball. Emery’s there sitting cross-legged on the couch, coffee in one hand, phone in the other. Calm. Like the world isn’t fucking spiraling out of control.
I stalk across the room stopping so close to her she has to cram her neck to look up at me.
“Did you know?” I bark, my voice low and cold.
“Know what?” She sets the coffee and the phone aside, standing up in front of me, though still coming up short to meet my penetrating eyes.
I hold the test out between us. She barely blinks.
“Who do you think gave her the test?” She quirks like that thought should have occurred to me.
My jaw tightens. “You should have told me.”
“I promised Lacey I wouldn’t.”
“Not only am I the father, I’m the damn president of this club. I had a right to know. You had an obligation to tell me.”
“Respect’s not a title, Aero. It’s earned,” she fires back. “And you’ve been burning yours to the ground one bottle at a time.”
My fingers curl tight around the test.
Emery pushes closer, making me take a step back. “You think this is just about you? Lacey cries into my phone every night. I’m too far to hold her hand. Too far to wipe her tears. Because you sent her away. How stupid can you be, Prez? You’re not just breaking yourself. You’re breaking her. And this club.”
Her voice softens, but it doesn’t lose heat. “We’re a family, Aero. All of us and that includes Lacey and this baby.” Her eyes drop to the test still clenched in my fist. “So what are you gonna do about it?”
I stand frozen, every muscle in my body locked. My fists clenched so tightly they ache. Then something breaks open inme. I step forward and pull Emery into a hug. Tight, rough, like I’m grounding myself in her honesty.
“Thank you,” I murmur. “For saying what no one else would.”
“Someone had to.” She hugs back.
I step back. My world is shaken but it’s never been more clear. I’ve never felt this alive.
“I’m going to get her,” I say. “I’m bringing Lacey home.”
As I turn to leave, Surge’s voice cuts from behind me.
“I’ve been telling him the same damn thing for days.”
Emery snorts. “Guess I’m the Aero-whisperer.”
For the first time in days, my mouth twitches into the start of a real smile. It doesn’t fix everything but it’s something.
Dog falls into step beside me, his tail wagging like he already knows what this means.
I’ve got a woman to bring home. And a hell of a lot to make right.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Aero
