Rock isn’t Meli’s biological father, but he certainly would give his life for her. He makes it clear that just because she isn’t blood, it doesn’t make her any less his or any less part of the club.
Red gives me a little wave when she sees me, and I take a seat opposite her.
“Caramel latte, right?” she asks, gesturing to the hot cup of coffee on the table.
I nod, lifting it to my nose and inhaling the scent. Nothing beats it, and it instantly calms my racing thoughts. I take a sip and close my eyes, humming with approval as the hot liquid slips easily down my throat.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” she says with a laugh.
I place my cup back on the table and tip my head back, closing my eyes and letting the sun’s rays soak into my skin. I sigh heavily.
“That bad?” Red asks, a note of concern in the tone.
“Sorry, it’s been a long week,” I mutter, keeping my eyes firmly shut so they don’t deceive me.
Her hand finds my knee, and she squeezes gently until I open my eyes again and bring my attention back to her.
“Spill,” she demands, offering me a smile.
“Ugh, where do I even start?” I ask, picking up my cup again and blowing gently over the top. “I’ve missed you.”
“Sorry. I know I’ve been MIA lately, but Rock and I decided to get away for a few days. Besides, you’ve got Bella now,” she offers.
“I didn’t mean to make you feel guilty. You need a break, too. And Bella is great, but she’s been busy trying to settle the boys in. I didn’t want to offload on her.”
Bella joined the club recently. Her ex-husband was a shitshow, and she was fighting for her life until Clay pulled her back from the edge, literally. She recently got full custody of her kids after not seeing them for months, so her hands have been full.
Red pats my leg before dragging her hand back to her cup and lifting it to her lips to take a sip.
“Get fucked,” she says, laughing. “You guys have been amazing to me, and right now my life is pretty incredible, so I’m here for you to lean on.”
“Well,” I mutter, taking a deep breath, “we visited the fertility specialist. Apparently, my ovaries aren’t releasing eggs often enough. She’s put me on gonadotrophin injections to help my body do its job, so I now have to check when I’m ovulating and inject myself daily to maximise my chances,” I rush it out then take another breath.
Red gives a sympathetic smile. “That’s a good thing though, right?” she asks, looking slightly confused, “Why do you look so deflated?”
“Yeah, of course, it’s great. But, Red, what if it doesn’t work? Now I know I’m the problem, I just feel so . . . pressured.”
“Cross that bridge when you come to it. There’s no point worrying about all the what-ifs right now until they happen. You’ll drive yourself crazy.”
“What if he leaves me?” I almost whisper, looking down at my hands.
“Drifter will never leave you, Rochelle. He idolises you. You once told me that once you’re their ol’ lady, these men will do anything for you.”
I blink, and the tears that were balancing on my lower lash escape and roll down my cheek. Red quickly puts Meli back in her pushchair, rounding the table to wrap her arms around me tightly.
“I am here for you, always. When you’re driving yourself crazy in that tiny mind of yours with events that are never going to happen, you come find me and we’ll work through them together.” She pulls back enough to look me in the eye. “This is going to be an amazing journey. You just need to relax into it. The stress won’t do you any favours.”
She presses a quick kiss to my head then goes back to her seat. She reaches into the bottom of the pushchair and retrieves a tissue, handing it to me so I can wipe my eyes. When you’re a mum, you’re prepared for every eventuality, including your best friend having a breakdown on you.
“Thank you,” I sniffle. “You don’t realise how much that means to me right now. I feel like I’m losing the plot.”
“Listen, Rochelle, it’s a lot to take in, but you will be incredible. Look at how you are with Meli. You need to believe this is going to work and just do everything the doctor advises so you increase those chances.”
I nod and stare at Meli longingly. She’s such a beautiful little girl, and helping care for her over these recent months has given me a huge insight into what it will be like to become a mother.
And I can’t wait.
DRIFTER
