Page 66 of Mistress Mayhem

“Mmm hmm,” she murmurs before sighing, her eyes falling shut. “I really don’t want to go to this party.”

“We can totally skip it, if you want, angel.” Fox looks ready to scoop her up and make a run for it right this second.

She shakes her head. “No, I need to at least make an appearance. But we’re definitely not staying for long. We still have more Mayhem planning to do.”

Oh. Mayhem. She won’t be able to play this year.

“Well, since you’re pregnant, you don’t have to be at the planning session if you don’t want to,” I tell her.

When she turns her head slowly, eyes narrowed, I know I’ve said something wrong, but I’m not sure what. “And why would that be, Cooper?”

I glance at Fox and Austin, but they won’t meet my eyes. “Because you’re pregnant?”

“And that makes me an invalid? Being pregnant doesn’t mean I’m sitting home during Mayhem. If that’s what you think, you’re in for a surprise. Pregnant woman can do just about anything a woman that isn’t pregnant can do.”

“I’m sure that’s true, but you’re ours, and I’m not letting anything happen to you or our baby.”

I can see the anger rising in my girl, but I don’t understand why she’s so upset. I turn to the others again to find Austin slowly shaking his head. Fox just stares at me in disbelief. “What?”

“What, he asks.” Sage scoffs. “Yes, I’m with the three of you, and I love you, but don’t mistake that for you owning me. You don’t get to say what I can and cannot do. If I want to go on an all-out murder spree on Mayhem, you get no say in that.”

“But that’s our baby too.”

Fox makes a noise. “Uh uh, Coop. You leave us out of this argument. You got yourself into trouble. You’re not dragging us along with you.”

Sage’s nostrils flare as she steps into me, stabbing her finger into my chest. “I don’t give a shit whose child I’m carrying. That doesn’t give anyone the right to tell me what to do withmybody. It’s mine, and if you think I’d do anything to jeopardize my child’s health, then why the fuck are you with me?”

And finally, I understand just how badly I’ve fucked up. “That’s not... I didn’t mean... Damn it, Sage, I’m just worried about you and the baby. That’s never going to change.”

She lifts an eyebrow as her lips peel back in a snarl. “I have a party to get ready for. I suggest you stay the hell away from me for the rest of the night or I’m going to tear you into bits in front of everyone, and you won’t ever have to worry about me or the baby ever again.”

“Sage—“ I call after her as she turns on her heel and flounces away, but Austin’s hand on my shoulder stops me.

I look back at him, shaking my head. “That’s not what I meant. Fuck. I just... I don’t fucking know. Did I ruin this? I ruined fucking everything, didn’t I?”

“You didn’t ruin everything—just what should’ve been the happiest moment of our lives.” Fox scoffs, but there isn’t any resentment in his tone. “But honestly? That could’ve gone a lot worse. Just remember that when women are pregnant, their hormones react differently.”

“And our girl already has a hairpin trigger.” Austin squeezes my shoulder before taking a step back. “I’m going to go find Sage. Maybe you should head home for the night, Coop.”

Something clenches in my chest as I watch him walk away. Are they... trying to get rid of me? Do they not want me here either? Is this it?

“It’ll be okay, Coop. You’re just going to have to do some groveling. Why don’t you head out for a ride on your bike? The party starts in an hour—come back then.” Fox shrugs as he shoves his hands in his pocket. “I’ll text you to let you know when we’re done in the room with our clothes, and then you can come back and change. But maybe plan a really fucking good apology?”

Then I’m left watching him walk away as well. The pain of having all three of them walk away from me is almost crippling.

“You know one thing I’ve realized since I married Laura?”

I jump at the sound of Bill’s voice, my head dropping as I realize he must have heard at least part of that conversation. “What’s that?”

“That sometimes we need to fight so we can make up. But more than that, we’re all human. We all make mistakes, and sometimes we say things we don’t mean—or they’re misinterpreted by the other person. All we can do is strive to do better next time, and apologize profusely.” Bill lays his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it just like Austin had.

“I don’t even know how to apologize for this,” I tell him, glancing at him from the corner of my eye.

Bill laughs. “Well, you’re in luck. You have an almost father-in-law who has had to apologize for his stupid mouth a lot. Come on, I have some ideas. We can figure out how best to make up for your words together.”

My shoulders droop in relief. Maybe I’m not as alone as I thought I was.

By the time I get Fox’s text telling me that it’s safe for me to come back and get changed, Bill has helped me work out a plan. I had to leave the center to get everything I needed so I’ll be a little late to the party, but it’s totally worth it.

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