“No, I’m fine. A few crackers and I’ll be good. I think I’ve just got stomach flu or something. Maybe I ate something that was off when I was away.”
A soft look and a caring smile spread across her lips as she hugged me, “I’m sure that’s what it is. Okay,” she pulled away and released me. “Let me know if you need anything and I’ll come home.”
I smiled back, “You’re too good to me. Thank you.”
She picked up her large purse and heaved it onto her shoulder, followed by her car keys clutched in her fingers, while I got myself comfortable back in my chair. I pulled my knees up into my stomach and tucked my feet under me. “Love you.” She shouted as she left.
“Right back at ya!” The door banged shut as I shouted back, and my head rested against the cushion behind me. I blew out a breath just wishing this sicky feeling would go. My hand slipped down the side of me and I pulled the stick out and stared at it some more. I couldn’t believe I was pregnant. Why weren’t we more careful? Stupid, I me for thinking the pill would be enough.
I needed to call the doctor. Unfolding my legs from under me, I grabbed my phone and searched through my contacts until I found his number and hit the call button. The receptionist answered and I booked myself into the first available appointment. With that done, I cupped the stick in my hand and went to get dressed.
Once it was hidden in my underwear drawer, I quickly went to shower. I hoped the hot water would make me feel better and more refreshed. But by the time I’d stepped out, the hot waterhad made me worse, I swore I was going to hurl. I sat on my bed for a few more minutes just until the feeling had passed, once I was satisfied it had gone, I dressed in some comfortable clothes. Choosing a baggy tee and some leggings, I paired them with my Chucks before I brushed the knots from my hair and dragged it up into a ponytail. My blonde hair wasn’t overly long, it sat just below my shoulders but long enough that I could keep it off my neck. I was so thankful for that right now.
I took one last look in the mirror, surveyed the dark circles under my eyes and the pasty colour of my skin. I tapped my cheeks as I tried to put some colour in them, a patch of pink began to form beneath my fingers as I patted harder, but other than that, pasty. Oh well. Hopefully no one would notice. I stopped by the kitchen as I passed and grabbed a box of crackers to take in the car with me, and with my keys in my hand, I left the apartment.
Once at Roman’s place I waited for someone to open the door for me, I screwed a smile to my face while I waited and lightly pinched my cheeks again. I didn’t need anyone picking up on my sick look.
Rhys appeared as the door opened and he stood aside for me. “Morning.” I greeted him way more cheerily than I felt.
“Morning yourself, go straight through.” I smiled up at him and carried on through the house to the kitchen. I was too busy trying to open the top of my purse so I could drop my keys inside to see who was around.
“Coffee?” At the sound of Nikki’s voice my head snapped up.
“No, thank you. I’ll grab some water in a second.” I smiled sweetly. I wasn’t sure of the reception I was going to receive, especially from Nikki, since she’s the one that saw us together outside of the casino. I blew out a breath and placed my purse down on the marbled island. “Where is everyone?” The faucetwas turned on and the clinking of glasses pursued but still she had her back to me.
“Paisley is in bed, she’s still on bed rest. You’ve seen Rhys, and Roman and Gav are discussing some shit. God only knows what he’s got himself into this time.” She turned off the water and came over to me, a glass in one hand and her coffee in the other. “Look, I know about you and him.” She forced a smile on her face as she passed over my water. The sick feeling took hold again full force, but I swallowed it down.
“Oh.” My teeth nibbled on my lip, “Nik…”
“Hey, it’s okay as long as you’re okay. I’m glad he’s found someone that actually gets his arsehole ways.” I forced a smile, when she didn’t meet my gaze, I knew that she wasn’t exactly ecstatic about us. “You deserve a bloody medal if you ask me.” She carried on toward the door as I sipped on my water. “Sit yourself down, the guys should be through in a minute, but if you need anything I’ll be with Paisley doing some work.”
“Nikki,” she glanced back, “thank you.”
She tried to smile but it never really made it to her eyes. I let out a sigh as I watched her walk away. Then I wondered how long I’d have to wait around here by myself. I placed the file with the images in on the counter. I could always take them up to Paisley later. With my ass perched on a stool, I smiled as I opened it up and looked through my own work. Roman was so natural in front of the camera, I thought as I fanned them out on the surface, but as soon as I heard Gav’s voice filtering through the hall, I smiled like a fool. God help me.
“Put a smile on it would ya?” I shook my head at his ability to piss Nikki off, but I didn’t hear her comeback, which told me she wasn’t happy at all, and everything she said to me was forced. If I didn’t already think it, I knew now.
“Hey. What’s up with her?” I finished placing the images out when his lips connected with my cheek. His hands rested either side of me from behind as he caged me against the island.
“Don’t be hard on her.” I side-eyed him and smiled.
He gave a killer smile back and all thoughts of Nikki passed for the time being. “I feel like I haven’t seen you for a week.”
“It’s been two days, Gav.”
“Three.” He argued.
I slipped off the stool and turned myself around in the small gap between him and the counter and gave him a smile. “It’s two, just feels like longer.” His brows pinched as he stared at me. His hands moved to hold my face steady.
“You not feeling any better? You look so pale.” He tipped my head back slightly and looked into my eyes.
“Thanks.” I smirked. “I feel so much better now you’ve pointed that out,” then pressed a kiss to his lips.
“Ugh, is this what I have to put up with now?” I broke our kiss and looked around Gav to see Roman.
“Sorry.” I sidestepped Gav. “So, I’ve got your pictures, finally.”
“Ah, brilliant. Let’s see.” He glanced over my shoulder and saw them spread out on the countertop. I did love their British accent; they made it sound so good. He started to shuffle through them, his smile bright. “Have you shown these to Paisley?” he glanced briefly away from the pictures to me.
