“You fuckin’ talk to her, Axel. Lay it all out for Sheridan and then prove your words by your actions. I’m guessin’ that will mean more to her than you simply talkin’ this shit out. Most of all, be there for her. Start talkin’ durin’ the appointments to her and not simply to the doctor. She needs to know that you won’t pull this shit with her again. Sheridan isn’t gonna make this easy and you’re gonna have to reassure her that you’re all in and won’t take off when shit gets hard because itwillget hard.You’ll be dealin’ with a newborn and tryin’ to fix the damage you’ve done all at the same time,” Knuckles says and I know he’s remembering how he fucked up with Janessa when he found out she was pregnant with their child.
“Your mom and I will help you this time, Axel. This is the only time we’ll help you. I’ll make sure Sheridan knows if you pull this shit again that she’s to leave your ass and never take you back again. She deserves way more than how you’ve been treatin’ her and you know it,” my dad says before getting off his stool and leaving the clubhouse.
Finishing my beer, I leave the common room and make my way up to my room. After unlocking the door, I close it behind me and lean against it for a few minutes. When I finally push off the door again, I start cleaning my room from top to bottom. The girls are rarely in here because I don’t want them trying to spend the night with me. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve used this room to fuck in. Pulling out my phone, I order a new mattress for my bed and then get back to work. My room is kept neat and rarely gets dirty because I clean it myself. I don’t want anyone in here taking care of my shit when I’m capable of doing it on my own. It’s not exactly messy now, but with Foxy being in here earlier, I don’t want a single sign of her being in here when I manage to get Sheridan to the clubhouse to stay with me. That’s something I realize I want more than anything else in the world.
Chapter Eight
Sheridan
AFTER CLEARING ATTENDING school on campus with Dr. Matthews, I spent the day at school for the first time in weeks. If I didn’t have exams today, I wouldn’t be here at all. I feel like crap and I’m back to not being able to keep anything down once again. However, the school really couldn’t do anything to help me this time because it’s finals I have to take and they can’t give them to me online when everyone else is in class and being monitored by the professor and teacher’s assistant. Dr. Matthews wasn’t happy about my need to be on campus, but I’m not about to retake this semester because I couldn’t show up for my exams. I’m doing the best I can and know I have to be careful since I’m away from home while pregnant and back to being extremely sick. Dr. Matthews already wants me to show up at the office as soon as I leave campus so she can check me really quick before deciding if I need to go to the hospital for an IV and more medicine so I can eat. I’m sure that will be happening because I’m not about to risk my pregnancy for any reason.
It's early afternoon when I walk out of my last final of the day. I’m only taking four classes this semester and my professor did make arrangements with me to take my final today instead of waiting for tomorrow and having to come back again. All of them understand my situation and are being very generous with my accommodations for the end of this semester. I honestly wasn’t sure if they’d let me take classes online to begin with. However,they were more than happy to ensure I was able to complete my work at home with the knowledge that I’d have to attend in person for any meetings or exams. I missed one test in a class, but my professor had me write a paper in its place. I didn’t have a lot of time to write the paper, but I got it done and scored really well.
As I make my way to my SUV because my dad couldn’t drive me to school today and Dr. Matthews also approved me to drive to class since it’s so close to my house, my phone starts vibrating in the outer pocket of my bag. I pull it out to find an unknown number on my screen and my gut instantly tells me it’s my mother. Or the incubator as I commonly refer to her. Taking a deep breath, I answer the call knowing it’s the last thing I should do.
“Hello,” I answer, waiting for the grating voice I always hate hearing fill the silence.
“It’s about time you answer the phone,” my mother angrily states, venom filling her voice as normal when it comes to me.
“I’ve been busy and have nothing to say to you,” I respond as normal because the last thing I want to do is talk to her.
“How dare you talk to me like that!” she screeches through the phone so loud I have to pull it away from my ear before I lose my hearing. “I’m your mother and you should respect me.”
“Respect is earned and you’ve done nothing to earn it from me,” I state as I unlock my door and quickly climb inside the SUV. “All you’ve done is cause me pain and agitation my entire life. Just say what you want so I can be done with this conversation. If you continue screaming at me, I have noproblem hanging up on you and blocking this number like every other one I’ve blocked over the years.”
For a minute, the incubator doesn’t say a word to me. The line is completely silent and I know she’s seething from my words. I have no problem standing up against the woman who carried me for nine months but doesn’t have a single maternal instinct in her body. She’s vicious, horrendous, and the most selfish person I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting in my life. It’s truly a shame you can’t choose your parents because I never would have chosen the incubator I got stuck with. My mom would have been someone amazing and the best for my dad. Someone who loved us and didn’t thrive on making our lives a living hell.
“You’re gonna sign over your trust to me. You owe me money and it never should have been given to you in the first place. That money is from my parents and you’re the last person who deserves anything from them,” she states as if we’re talking about the weather and not her trying to once again steal from me.
“That’s not gonna happen. I’ve taken precautions to ensure you aren’t able to get your hands on my money. Honestly, I’m surprised it took you almost two full weeks to contact me about this. Everyone knows who you are and won’t allow you to steal what isn’t yours. I don’t owe you a damn thing. You’re the one who owes me more than you’ll ever be able to make up for. You almost killed me and I spend every day in constant pain from the accident you purposely caused,” I say, anger lacing my voice as my hands start to shake so hard I have to grip the steering wheel in an attempt to stop it.
“You ungrateful brat!” she screams in anger and I once again have to pull the phone from my ear. She's so loud. “Iwillget my hands on that money one way or another. I know you’repregnant, Sheridan. I suggest you do what I’m telling you to do before something happens to that bastard in your stomach.”
“You’re not gonna do a damn thing to my baby. Unlike you, I know how to protect my child and would gladly give my life for theirs without even a second of hesitation. I suggest you lose my number, get off your lazy ass, and find a job. Spreading your legs doesn’t count, but I’m sure you might find someone desperate enough to fuck you,” I say before hanging up my phone and tossing it in the passenger seat.
For several minutes, I do nothing but remain seated behind the wheel taking deep breaths so I can gather myself and calm down before heading to Dr. Matthews. I already know my blood pressure went through the roof talking to her. It happens each time she calls me. Or randomly shows up wherever I am. I’m not sure how she knows where to find me, but it’s happened more than a few times over the years since she left. When I finally manage to calm myself down, I pick my phone back up and send a message to Tease. I promised him I’d let him know whenever I went to the doctor or hospital so he was aware of anything going on and this is no different.
Me: I’m just leaving school and heading to the doctor. She approved of me to go on campus for the day to take my finals. I’m also driving myself because my dad couldn’t bring me. Dr. Matthews knows this too. I just wanted to let you know what’s going on like I promised.
After sending the message, I place my phone in the cupholder next to me and continue trying to calm myself down a little more before I get on the road. I can barely concentrate on anything around me as I lock the doors of my SUV and remain parked with the engine off. I’m still sitting there a few minutes later when my phone vibrates again. Picking it up, I see Tease’s name on the screen. An almost happy, excited feeling fills mejust from seeing his name and my heart starts to race slightly. This is typical despite being completely hurt from his treatment of me.
Axel: Are you okay? I’m out of town and can’t meet you there. Can your dad or Shelly be there in my place?
Me: I’m okay. She just wanted to check on me after my exams to ensure I don’t need to go to the hospital. I have a feeling I’ll be heading there, but I’ll let you know once I hear from Dr. Matthews. And my dad will meet me there. He had an appointment and couldn't drive me to class, but assured me he’d show up to the doctor’s office with me. Shelly went back to school so she’s not even in this state right now.
Axel: Fuck! If I were in town, I’d be there with you and would have given you a ride anywhere you needed. Please be careful on your way to the doctor’s office.
I literally have no response for Axel. This is the first time he’s responded to my message and been relatively nice. It’s a change for sure and not one I was expecting today. Instead of responding, I set my phone back in the cupholder and start the engine. Dr. Matthews is expecting me and I can’t keep her waiting when she’s essentially squeezing me in without an appointment.
***
Dr. Matthews isn’t happy with me. My blood pressure was elevated more than ever before and instead of going to the emergency department for an IV and medicine, Dr. Matthews is admitting me for the next week. She wants me closely monitored and feels as though the safest place for me is the hospital in case something happens. I completely agree with her because I don’t want to risk my son. My dad isn’t happy because he knows something happened to me to cause this to happen, but I refuseto talk about my personal life in front of others. I’ve always been private and extremely selective about who I allow in my life and to know my secrets. I’ll still be getting fluids through an IV and the medicine I need to help me keep food down. While I don’t necessarily like hospital food, Dr. Matthews has assured me my dad and others can bring me in food from wherever I want. Her only concern is me eating.
Dad drives me to the hospital once we leave the office after Dr. Matthews makes arrangements for me to be admitted. I’ve got the necessary paperwork from her to make things easier. My dad’s leaving his truck behind at the doctor’s office while we bring my SUV to the hospital and then he’ll take it to his house and park it in the garage where no one can get to it. He knows my mother won’t hesitate to hire someone to fuck with it so I’m hurt or worse. Anything to get what she feels belongs to her.
It doesn’t take long to get me in a room on the maternity floor. I’m hooked up to more monitors than I understand and an IV is started so I can get the necessary fluids I need. My dad never once leaves my side and holds my phone as it continues to go off. With the nurses and other staff in my room, I can’t answer my phone. So, I try to ignore it as my dad chuckles to himself and curiosity fills me.
“They can wait. The staff will be done soon and then I can take my phone and find out who it is,” I respond and take in the knowing look in my dad’s eyes.
