Instead, I chose to focus on getting Cara upstairs.
“Do you even have any baby stuff here?” I wondered aloud as we climbed the stairs.
“Some, not a whole lot. Most of it’s over at my new place. Although now that things have changed I don’t know how any of that’s going to work out. I’ve already bought the place. I can’t really back out.”
My heart sped up as I thought about our future, the immediate and the far off. Focus on the present, I reminded myself. Get the baby settled and then take care of Ronny, if need be. However, I was surprised when I unlocked the door and found my apartment empty.
Tate took the baby to his bedroom right away and I started walking through my home in search of someone, anyone. It was too quiet. My room was the last room to go through and only when I found my private bathroom and bed empty, did I pull out my phone and send a message to Cash.
Where’s Ronny?
I realized it was silly not to message Ronny directly, but I was afraid of him suddenly popping out of a shadow or something to attack me verbally. I actually looked over my shoulder as I pushed send. Cash didn’t reply, but I received a text from my brother, of all people, moments later. It was an image. I clicked on it and my stomach curdled nervously. It was a selfie of him and Ronny, holding large bottles of rum and vodka. They were both smiling wide and laughing their asses off, clearly drunk. Great. I sighed and turned as I heard Tate’s footsteps coming down the hall.
Another ping on my phone made me look down. Dallas sent a message along with the photo.
You’re home? Me and Ronny boy are on the way. Grats Mom!
Oh no. I immediately tried calling but he dismissed my call. I knew my twin brother more than I wanted to, which meant I knew fully well that he was indeed on his way here.
“What’s wrong? Do I need to get involved?”
I turned to my husband, whose face was hard and determined. I looked him up and down. He had a slim build and his abs and muscles were solid. Ronny had a thicker frame and also enough muscles on his stomach and arms to pack a solid punch. I remembered the last time they fought. Both could easily hurt the other. Actually, I was confident Tate would probably win if they went fist to fist again.That didn’t make me feel any better though.
“No. I don’t want anyone fighting. Not with the baby here. But Ronny and my brother are on their way. They’re drunk.”
“Should I leave then? What am I supposed to do?” He put his hands behind his neck and sighed deeply. I watched as he blinked and then his eyes moved around fast, as if he was weighing all the options.
“It’s okay. When I saw Dallas last we were in a good place. That’s probably why he got Ronny drunk. To relax him some and talk him down from whatever he was thinking about. You can always just go to your room and sit with Cara while they’re here.”
“I’m not hiding,” he scoffed. “If you want to be with me then that’s it. Ronny has to get used to it. I had to.”
“Okay, stop.” I put a hand up, knowing that a fight was going to come if we kept discussing this. I was tired of rehashing the same argument over and over. “Fine. Stay out here with me if you want. I don’t care.”
My phone started ringing, interrupting our conversation. I glanced down and saw it was from Dallas. I swallowed hard and answered it.
“Hello?”
“Jimbo! How’s the baby? We’re on the way. Got a driver, don’t worry.”
“Dallas, do you think it’s a good idea to come over now? You’re drunk.”
“Just a little bit,” he laughed, slurring his words. “It’s fine. I’m happy for you. It’s exciting. A baby! I’m an uncle! Whoo!” he screamed. I flinched and pulled the phone away from my ear.
“Dal, where’s Ronny? Is he alright?”
“He’s here. He was mad but he’ll get over it. I’m having a party tonight and I’m making it my mission to get him laid. He’ll be fine. I just want to meet the little tot before Mom and Dad. Ooh, do they know yet?”
“Dally,” I sighed. My anger and fury for all the things he’d done to me over the last decade slipped away. He was acting like my brother again. Which was exhausting, yet comforting. “Fine. You can come but you need to sober up a bit. You can’t hold her if you’re drunk.”
“Her? It’s a girl? Alright, driver, onward!” he said, before hanging up. I looked over at Tate whose lips were pressed together tightly. He shook his head and let out a small chuckle.
“Fucking Dally. Always a trip.”
I often forgot that they were once good friends. That’s how he joined the tour that ultimately led to us meeting and falling for each other.
“I don’t mind them coming and seeing the baby, but Ronny isn’t coming near her until I can trust him not to do something insane.”
I wanted to protest, but I understood completely. Ronny was unpredictable on his best days. Most of my problems stemmed from him acting or reacting to something wrong.
