Page 33
She rolls her eyes again but doesn’t say anything as I turn to scan the main area of the clubhouse. There are a few rooms down here on the main floor but for the most part, it’s a large open space broken up into separate areas with furniture. A large bar takes up half of the back wall before seamlessly transitioning into the large kitchen and four pool tables break up the space between the bar and a large lounge area with the biggest sectional I’ve ever seen and a large TV on the wall. There is a dining area by the back door with enough tables to seat all of the members and their families when we have get-togethers as well as Storm’s office just inside the front door, the war room where they guys meet to talk club business, and a bathroom.
“Hey, congrats on the kid, man,” someone says, pulling my gaze to the door of the war room. Jumper slaps Diego on the shoulder in congratulations and Diego grins. “Sorry about the mother though.”
What the fuck?
The smile melts off of Diego’s face in slow motion and the anger in his eyes sends a thrill through me. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
Jumper laughs, completely oblivious to the threatening waves rolling off of my baby daddy. “I just mean that as far as baby mamas go, you didn’t exactly get an easy one. Shit. I don’t think I’d wish that girl on my worst enemy. She’d chew him up and spit him out.”
Again, what the actual fuck?
What the hell did I ever do to Jumper?
“Shut the fuck up,” Diego seethes, grabbing Jumper by his cut and dragging him close. He gets in his face, looking like he might put the stupid kid in the ground for his comment and it stirs something inside me – something I very much don’t want to examine. “You ever disrespect the mother of my son like that again and I’ll knock your fucking teeth down your goddamn throat. You hear me?”
I wish I could say that Jumper’s words have no effect on me but underneath this mega bitch vibe I put off, is a fragile heart that has been taped back together so many times that a light breeze could probably make it crumble and just the thought of Diego regretting me or this baby is enough to make my chest pulse with an ache so powerful that my eyes burn with unshed tears.
On the other hand, Diego’s instant defense of me – in spite of the fact that we both know just how difficult I can be – it’s a punch to a part of me that I’ve kept locked away for a very long time, a part of me I rarely let people into, and it’s exactly why this “situationship” with Diego is so damn dangerous.
“Hey, brother,” Jumper says, holding his hands up and letting out a nervous laugh. “I was just messing around.”
“I don’t give a single shit. You will not talk about Izzy that way ever again. She’s carrying my baby which means she’s with me and I will not tolerate your fucking disrespect. Not to mention, that she is family to this club, people who have way more sway around here than you so I wouldn’t go around saying dumb shit like that to anyone else.”
Shit.
Warmth rushes through me and I take a step forward like I can physically run from the emotion clogging my throat caused by Diego’s protectiveness but of course that doesn’t work. I need to get control of this situation and get the fuck out of here before something bad happens like Diego killing one of his brothers or the wall around my pulverized heart cracking even slightly.
“You ready to go?” I call to Diego and his head whips in my direction but he still doesn’t release Jumper as he nods.
“Come here real quick and then we can go.”
I follow his instructions, crossing the room and closing the distance between us before stopping next to them and looking up at the two men. Diego levels a glare at Jumper.
“Apologize.”
Jumper shoves at Diego’s hands, trying to break free, and Diego finally releases him. He takes a couple steps back and sucks in a breath, eyeing his brother warily before he turns to me.
“Sorry.”
As far as apologies go, it sucks. Diego bristles next to me and takes a step forward but I stop him with a hand on his arm and he glances down at me. I plaster a smile on my face and take a step toward Jumper as his words run through my head again.
God, what a fucking asshole.
Before just a moment ago, I would have said Jumper and I were good, friends even, but if this is what he really thinks of me, I won’t hold back. He said I chew men up and spit them out and he’s about to witness it firsthand.
“Listen, all this shit isn’t necessary,” I tell him, aware that we’ve drawn a crowd of onlookers as I reach out and pat his cheek a little harder than is socially acceptable. It’s not exactly a slap but it’s not gentle either and it works to get my point across that he crossed a fucking line. “If you’re trying to compensate for your micro penis, you could just say that. You don’t need to go around being a dick to everybody to prove that you’re not lacking in your jeans.”
His eyes widen as laughter rings out from the other guys and he takes a step back like I actually did slap him before he glares at me. “You little fucking bitch.”
“No, sweetie, that’s you.” I turn to find Diego staring down at me with pride and humor in his eyes and I flash him a grin. “I’m ready to go.”
He nods. “Let’s go.”
“I’m not fucking done with you yet,” Jumper growls, his wounded pride making him bolder than I expected. I barely flick him a glance.
“I’m done with you and let’s be honest, with the equipment you’re packing… or not packing, I should say, you wouldn’t know what to do with me anyway.”
He takes a step forward like he’s going to put his hands on me but before he can, Diego inserts his body between us, sheltering me as Logan walks forward and grabs the back of Jumper’s cut, pulling him away from us. I peek past Diego as Logan shoves Jumper back into the war room and slams the door. Everyone disperses quickly once the show is over and Diego ushers me out into the parking lot. Once we’re outside, he sighs and slips his arm over my shoulders as we walk to the truck.
