Page 49 of Bikers & Bars

“Stop,” I said, unable to keep going when something was clearly bothering her. “I thought we weren’t doing secrets.”

“What do you mean?” she asked but it was half-hearted at best.

“You’ve been cagey and absent, there’s something going on. Just tell me,” I said as gently as possible. “You know I’m a no-judgment bestie.”

“You are, but that’s not what I’m worried about,” she said as she flopped down into the navy arm chair I’d had the guys put together for me last night. Having a whole MC at your disposal came in handy.

“Then what are you worried about? It can’t be that bad, Teag. We’ve been through so much together. Whatever it is, you know I’ll always be here for you.”

I sat on the edge of my bed so we were facing each other but she wasn’t meeting my eyes. Instead, her fingers toyed with the frayed ends of her hoodie.

That was another thing that changed. She’d stopped dressing up as much and was rarely seen without a big tee or hoodie on.

Now that I was paying attention I was really worried. She was never without some sort of designer outfit and always did her hair and makeup. It wasn’t to impress anyone else, Teagan just felt good when she dolled herself up.

“Talk,” I finally pleaded. “You’re scaring me.”

She let out a breath and stood up. I almost let out a protest but stopped short when she tugged her shirt up and turned to the side. Instead of her flat stomach she came by naturally, there was a soft swell to it.

“Oh my god, you’re pregnant?” I gasped as I jumped up, but stopped short at the look on her face. “Wait, are we not happy about it?”

“No, I am,” she admitted as tears welled in her eyes and she let her shirt drop before cradling her stomach in her hands. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“Me?” I asked, cocking my head to the side. “I don’t understand.”

“Because Viper is back and you were struggling with fertility and here I am, pack-less and pregnant,” she rushed out.

Me?I was stunned.

“But Sienna had a baby?” I questioned slowly, trying to follow her thought process. “Did I react badly?”

“No, no,” she reassured me quickly, talking fast before I could freak out. “It’s just different with us. We’re close and there’s some really shitty timing.”

Years ago that news would have made me equally as happy as I was sad. Now? I was in a very different place.

My pack wanted me even if I couldn’t have kids. Hell, they didn’t want them. Viper made it clear when he came back that I was his priority, not a nonexistent potential family.

Something I’d come to terms with lately was the fact that I was truly happy here with them. I had a food truck that I was pouring my time into and when it was up and running I’d be busy as hell between my men and my job.

There was no time for babies.

“Teagan,” I said in a rush as I pulled her into a hug. She melted into me and I had a feeling she really needed it. I hated that my best friend had kept all this to herself to protect my feelings. “I don’t want babies. Maybe at one point I thought I did, but now I love my life as it is. I’m going to be the best fucking aunt ever for this kid.”

“You will?” she asked. The vulnerability in her voice was matched by her wobbling lips as I pulled away.

“Of course,” I said with pure conviction in my tone. “Now tell me everything.”

“It was a stupid fling with some hot as fuck rockstars. The whole thing was casual andthiswas never supposed to happen. I was on birth control and we used protection but… I guess it didn’t work.”

“That’s crazy,” I gasped. “Do they know?”

“No,” she admitted. “I haven’t told Dad, them, or anyone but you now. Except for my doctor, of course.”

“That explains the baggy shirts,” I said. “Oh, and you avoided drinks, didn’t you?”

“I did,” she laughed. “I tried to be stealthy.”

“Man, I feel dumb for not realizing sooner.”

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