“And I’m sorry for that. I really am. I should never have let things go that far. I didn’t mean to lead you on. I was giving myself time, trying to make myself feel something that wasn’t there.”
“We don’t need to go on about that,” Greaser mumbles under his breath, looking through his swollen eyes at Vike with pure hatred.
“No, we don’t. Siddy's heart will heal, just like his wounds will.” Iris turns her head to glare coldly at Vike. “We both came here today for the sake of baby Iris. She’s what’s important.” Her eyes return to me.
“Babywho, now?” Vike almost spits his tea across the room.
“Iris...” I decide I need to rip the Band-Aid off with this one immediately. “I know you might be hurt to hear this, but that's not gonna be her name.” I put her straight, being mindful that half the reason I got myself into this mess is that I’ve been far too complacent. In less than a month, I’m bringing a daughter into the world. I need to teach her how to be strong and to know her own mind.
“But, Siddy said–”
“Siddy assumed…You both did,” I interrupt. “This baby may be half Griller’s, but she’s still mine, and after all the efforts I’ll have put in to getting her into this world,I’mgonna be the one who decides her name.”
“Thank fuck.” Vike says under his breath, still looking alarmed as he takes the seat beside me, and I give him another warning glance.
“Fine.” Despite Iris looking disappointed, she seems to accept what I’ve told her, and takes another sip of her iced tea without comment
“Now...” I look between the two grown men who are supposed to be club brothers. “...I know the two of you will never be friends, but, Greaser, you have to accept that Vike and I are together now. He’s going to be a big part of your niece's life, and for her sake, you both have to be civil. I will not ever have her feel caught in the middle. I don’t care if the two of you hate each other; for my little girl, you put a smile on your faces and hold off on killing each other.”
“I can do that,” Vike agrees, taking hold of my hand under the table and giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Same.” Greaser stares at him across the table, looking as if he wants to strike, but thankfully, they both remain seated.
“Well, that's a good start.” Iris nods. “Siddy…” She looks at him as if prompting him to say something.
“I need to get my stuff.” He makes no eye contact as he gets up from the table, heading down the hall, and I smile at Iris awkwardly, when that silence falls over us again.
“I suppose Gre–Sid will be driving you back to Bakersfield?” I attempt to make some small talk while we wait for him to pack his things.
No, I’ll be sticking around. There's room for me in the apartment above the garage, and I want to be as close as possible to my granddaughter,” she informs me.
“Wonderful.” Vike fakes a smile, while I try to hide how much the idea disheartens me. She’s acting calm today, but judging from my past encounters, this woman is hard to cope with.
“I’m sure you’ll appreciate having me close at hand when the time comes for you to go back to work. Childcare can be expensive, and nothing beats family,” she adds, making that dread inside me multiply. I really don’t think Iris is stable enough to take care of a child by herself.
“Alicia won’t be going back to work.” Vike surprises me when he speaks up. “I can provide for her and the baby.” We haven’t discussed much about how things are gonna work between us. Last night, he was far too busy teaching me what orgasms feel like, and when his hand wraps tight around my thigh, I blush when I think about him giving me another.
“That’s me.” We all turn our heads when Greaser returns, carrying a holdall and looking defeated. I stand up from the table and make my way over to him.
“I really am sorry; thanks for everything, Greaser, you're gonna be an incredible uncle.” I stretch up to kiss his cheek, and when he exhales sharply, I’m unsure if it’s out of pain or anger.
“Perhaps we could meet for coffee next week? I’d like to be kept informed,” Iris suggests, making her way toward us.
“Sur—”
“They do coffee at the club; the two of you can meet there.” Vike heads over to the door so he can open it for them, politely smiling at the pair of them and giving them their cue to leave.
“Sounds good.” Iris places a kiss on my cheek, and knowing what's about to come next makes me squirm. Her hand reaches down to stroke my tummy, but Vike interferes before she makes contact. “Iris…you know it’s polite to ask before you do something like that, it can make people feel uncomfortable.” Leaving the door wide open, he steps up beside me and places his arm around my waist.
“Not Alicia, she’s fine about me touching her baby bum–”
“Actually, I’m not,” I confess, feeling so much stronger having Vike by my side. “I know you're excited, and I love that you adore her so much already, but it can be a little too much, sometimes.” I try to be tactful. “She’ll be here soon, and you’ll actually be able to hold her in your arms,” I promise, hoping I haven’t upset her any further, but at the same time needing to create some boundaries.
“Okay.” Again, she looks disappointed, and after she heads to the door where Greaser’s waiting, and we say our goodbyes, I make a huge sigh of relief when they’re gone.
“That went better than I expected,” I admit, sitting back at the table while Vike starts clearing it.
“I don’t want you ever to be alone with her... or him,” he warns me.
