“We’ve trained a bunch in evasive driving—” Gunner spouted off, and Hawk saw red.
“Yeah, we have. But the scenario has never been me driving my pregnant girlfriend home before!”
Jessie gasped. “Hawk!”
Gunner’s eyes moved to Jessie. “You’re pregnant?”
Her grip on his arm tightened. “Shit, Jess. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that, it’s just… I can’t get how fucking scared you looked out of my mind. They need to know so they can help us.”
“It was someone with road rage. The driver needs help, not us,” her voice faltered.
“Are you sure the baby is yours?” Gunner blurted out.
Jessie’s arm slipped off of his, and he tucked her behind his back. Hawk clenched his fingers into a fist, but left it down at his side.
“I’m fucking sure. Not that it should matter to you. You didn’t even sleep with Lily and took on the responsibility of her and Sage. Are you trying to accuse Jess of something here?”
Gunner stepped up, his shoulders back and his jaw set. “You better take a step back, and keep my wife’s name out of your mouth.”
Hawk felt the adrenaline dump into his body. His arms and legs ached for Gunner to throw the first punch. “Yeah? Well you better never speak that way again to myfuturewife.”
“Alright, boys.” Mae stepped out from behind the desk and shoved a hand onto Gunner’s chest before shoving her other onto Hawk’s. “Let’s just take a breather. We all know Gunner forgets to have a filter and say things kindlywhen he’s worried about someone he loves. And Hawk, of course, is going to stand up for Jessie, whoisthe mother of his child. Plus, we do have people actually using the gym today, and I don’t think Jessie is ready for the news to be all over town. So, just simmer down and pay attention to what’s actually important here. I’m becoming an auntie again!”
His sister huffed as she turned and placed her hand on Jessie’s arm. “I’m so happy for you two. I know you were wanting to keep things quiet, which is why I never said anything, but I am so thrilled for you both. And for me! Can I give you a hug?”
Hawk watched as Jessie embraced his sister, more color draining from her face as she stepped back to his side.
“Fuck, I am an asshole. I’m blunt and I know Lily will have my ass later when she hears about how I fucked this up.” Gunner ran his hand through his hair. “I am just trying to understand. Hawk’s never been interested in settling down before. This feels like it’s coming out of left field. For him to say you’re having his baby is one thing, but to say you’re?—”
“Hawk,” Jessie whispered behind him.
“No, baby. We already talked about this. You’re crazy if you think you’re going to have my baby and not be married to me.” She groaned, but Hawk continued. “And you… You may be family, but you don’t speak like that to her ever again. Jess and the baby are the most important thing to me. Which means she’s your family too. End of discussion. Think how far you would go if someone said what you just did to Lily.”
“Lily and I have known each other all of our lives,” Gunner said as Jessie talked over him.
“Hawk, I?—”
“Sweetheart, he’s so far out of line.” Jessie pulled her hand free from his, but he kept her tucked in behind him. Her hand went to his back, and when he turned to see why she was gripping onto his shirt, he instantly realized his mistake.
“Fuck.” Jessie had gone completely green. She was already covering her mouth, sweat dotting her brow.
“The bathroom is that way.” Mae was locked in on Jessie, pointing down the hallway.
Hawk spun around and took the small trash can Mae was holding out and handed it to her before walking as quickly as a queasy, pregnant woman should to the bathroom. Jessie shoved the trash can back at him before she threw the bathroom door open and fell onto her knees in front of the toilet.
“I’m so sorry.” Hawk rubbed her back while she went through another round of vomiting. “Fuck. This can’t be normal.”
“God, my head hurts,” she cried. “Why is the baby doing this to me?”
“I don’t know sweetheart, but I’m going to take you to the hospital.”
“No.” He handed her a few sheets of toilet paper to wipe her mouth. “I’m just being dramatic. Women go through this all the time.”
“I don’t think they do. I think… I think something is wrong. What if something happened when I slammed on the brakes?”
Her hand flew to her stomach and she moaned. “Nothing is wrong. Being sick is a good sign the pregnancy is continuing on how it should. I’m nauseous from all the hormones that are helping the baby grow.”
“This isn’t good, Jess. I want the baby to grow, but?—”
