I sit up with a sigh and set the check aside. I reach for the glass of wine I poured earlier and bring it to my mouth. But just as I press it to my lips, the smell of the dark fermented berries makes my stomach turn, and I nearly leap out of the tub, hanging over the toilet just in time to get sick.
What the hell is wrong with me? I mean, I know my nerves are shot, but I didn’t think they were bad enough to cause me to throw up!
A thought crosses my mind. A thought that may or may not have already crossed my mind a couple days ago when I looked at the calendar. I press my lips together hard and grab a towel. Then I reach up into the medicine cabinet and pull out a box. Reluctantly, I open it, follow the instructions, and wait.
I stare at the check again. I should just tear it in half and throw it away. Benjamins or not, it’s a crazy proposition.
I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and open them. I find myself staring at the white stick in my hands. Staring back at me are two pink lines.
Holy shit,I say to myself while sliding down the wall to the floor.
On second thought, I don’t think I’ll be ripping the check in half.
Chapter 15
Dominic
“Watch the eye,”I growl at Andrew, dodging his fist by less than an inch.
“I thought we were sparing,” he says, going for another jab.
“We are. But this stupid cut is almost healed, and I’d rather not split it open again,” I tell him as we pivot.
“Maybe you should’ve gotten stitches,” he says, dodging a jab from me. “Would’ve held better.”
“Yeah?” I ask. “Why don’t I do the same to your lip and we’ll see how well it holds?”
I go for an uppercut, and he dodges it. Then he gets me with an overhead and I fall back.
“Good thing we’re practicing, you’re a bit rusty,” he chuckles.
“Is that an age joke?” I ask, socking him good enough to nearly knock him down.
“Easy, brother, I’m nearly the same age as you. Just born in a different decade, that’s all. How were the seventies anyway?” hegrins, and I clock him. The smile is gone, and he grabs his jaw, chewing for a moment. “You know maybe we should take five.”
“Yeah, let’s do that,” I let out before hopping through the ropes and jogging up towards the bar. It’s the middle of the day and no one is working. Niko’s never said anything to me about helping myself to some refreshments while getting in some extra practice. So, I help myself.
A moment later, Andrew catches up to me.
“What’s going on with you today, Dom?” he asks as I grab a glass and hold it under one of the beer taps. I don’t consider day drinking a bad thing if it’s only once in a while; it’s just beer anyway.
“I asked Mila to marry me,” I mutter as I toss some of the foam from the top of the glass.
“Shut up,” he chuckles, grabbing a glass for himself. Then he looks over at me, and I’m not smiling. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I need to get hitched if I want the money, so I asked her to marry me,” I answer, taking a long pull from the glass of beer.
“Mila?” he asks and I nod. “Your maid?” he asks.
I nod again. “She’s also a waitress at the Cockpit,” I add, taking a second sip. Then I put the glass back under the tap. Funny how an ice-cold beer hits the spot after getting hit in the face.
“Shut up,” he says again. “Which one is she?”
“The one that looks like my maid wearing a cheap blonde wig,” I say.
“Jesus,” he laughs, bringing the glass to his mouth, but stopping before it reaches his lips. “Wait a minute. Is she the one who dumped a drink on Rafe’s non-existent dick before you whisked her off into the night?”
“Yep,” I say.
