I walked down to where I could watch the water and took several deep breaths, trying to sort out exactly what I was feeling.
“She’s an old friend, and I treated her like shit,” Doom said.
“An old girlfriend,” I said to the water because I couldn’t look at him.
“Not really. We fucked, but there was nothing there, which she reminded me when she ended it. She’s good people, honey, and I ghosted her six years ago. Tonight, she told me her opinion on that.”
I finally faced him with a sigh. “Do you have feelings for her?”
“No.” He raised his hands in surrender. “Not now, not ever. We were really great friends and I fuckin’ blew it with her. I treated her like shit, as I’m sure you can imagine. I have some atoning to do, but tonight was a good start.”
I crossed my arms. “What kind of atoning?”
“She’ll probably make me give her a year of free oil changes or some shit like that.”
“So, nothing… personal.”
He smiled, closing the distance between us and sliding his hand to my neck, stroking my pulse. “Depends on what you mean by personal. She’s married, Angel. And really happy, as am I. If you don’t want me to have anything to do with her, I’ll cut all ties, but she’s no threat to you, and she’s a fuckin’ phenomenal friend. She’ll be the same to you.”
“I would never ask you to cut ties with a friend, Doom. I trust you. I was just a little shocked when we’d made the decision about keeping the baby secret for the moment and she blurted it out to a table full of strangers.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that.” He lifted my chin. “I haven’t been a good man, Angel. For a long time I’ve let people down. I want to make it right with the people who mean something to me.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist. “Baby, I’m all in. I’ll be by your side, at your back, under you, on your dick, whatever you need.”
He chuckled, leaning down to kiss me. “Love you.”
“Love you, too. Now feed us. Your baby’s hungry.”
Lyric
THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY, I had my first OB appointment, so Doom left work early and picked me up. We headed to the clinic and the doctor poked and prodded, checking my previous ultrasound the hospital in Portland had faxed over, declaring I was about nine weeks along. I already knew that, so we prepared for our little miracle to arrive in about seven months.
I couldn’t wait for all this crap with Garrett to be dealt with so I could go home. Doom had given me a concessional pass to check in once a week, just to make sure my house was still standing, and today was that day. He wanted to get in anyway and start measuring for the nursery.
I had no idea where to even start with what to buy for a nursery, but luckily, I had my sister and the club women to help me. Everything was starting to become real for me and I was finally allowing myself to get excited.
Our ‘detail’ today consisted of Rabbit and Dash, along with two agents Dalton had set up, who immediately cleared the back and side yards. Once they were satisfied no one was lurking, Rabbit stood with me in the foyer while Doom, Dash, and the agents checked every nook and cranny of my house.
“All clear,” Doom declared, jogging down my stairs, Dash following.
The agents walked out from different parts of the downstairs, agreeing, and then Doom and I were left alone.
The agents planned to walk the perimeter, while Dash and Rabbit hung out on the porch, so Doom and I could do what we needed and get out.
“I miss my house,” I said with a sigh.
“As soon as this shit’s sorted, you’ll be back in it,” Doom promised, leading me up the stairs. At the top, he faced me. “I’m gonna barrel over you if you don’t stop me.”
I grinned. “Yeah, I’m picking up on that.”
“I’m thinkin’ the baby’s room should be next to the master.”
“That room is currently full of everything I haven’t had a chance to—” He pushed open the door and I gasped. “Oh my god.” The room was empty. “Where is everything?”
“Sorted and stacked in the basement.”
“When?”
