“I’ll be there.”
“I saw Izzy over here earlier.”
“You just saw her, huh? Come on, Law, if you have a question just ask it. Stop fucking around.”
“One, you’ll remember to watch that mouth when we head across the street. Kincaid and the guys have your back with everything that’s going on, but they’re not going to tolerate that kind of language.”
“Kincaid cusses more than I do,” I argue. I’ve witnessed some extremely heated conversations between him and the first attorney I hired. That man was fired and replaced with one Cerberus approved of. The suggested tactics for my case weren’t much different, but the presentation was the change. Kincaid didn’t take very kindly to the first attorney saying, “He’s fucked.”
“He doesn’t talk like that in front of women, and you’ll be expected to do the same.”
“And two?”
“You’ve got to stop being this angry, surly bastard. I know what you’re facing, and although I’m hoping for a different outcome than the one you’re resigned yourself to, you’re free right now. You get to go across the street and swim in the pool if you don’t mind your nuts shriveling because honestly, it got too damn cold last night. You get to sit down with amazing people and enjoy a meal.”
Take away the circumstances that brought me to Farmington in the first place, and all of that sounds like heaven. Well, maybe minus the cold-ass pool part.
“Okay.”
“Okay? Just that easy?”
“I’ll try not to be an asshole. I’ll watch my mouth. I’ll eat the food.”
“Now back to Izzy.”
I groan, turning around and walking into the panty. Maybe PB&J doesn’t sound so bad right now. Talking with a mouthful of peanut butter is nearly impossible after all.
“She was here. I know she was because I opened the door for her when she knocked. What did she have to say?”
“She confirmed I’m the father.”
Strong arms wrap around me from the back.
“That’s awesome, man. You’re going to have a son.”
Izzy used the word son earlier, but it didn’t hit me until just now.
A lump forms in my throat so large, I can’t form the words to tell my brother that being in this entire situation is my worst damned nightmare.
Chapter 7
Isabella
“They’re nuts,” I mutter, but a smile is spread across my face watching some of the guys playing around in the pool.
“They’re manly men, showcasing that even a little cold water won’t keep them from having fun,” Sophia clarifies.
“I’m a manly man,” Colton argues.
“Sure you are, sweetheart.” She pats his chest in a comically placating way, making the others around us laugh. “But Rick and Landon are clearly more manly.”
I watch the teens splashing around after the volleyball they’ve been hitting back and forth across the net.
“I’m just glad it’s a clear day,” Delilah says, her eyes closed, face tilted up to the sky.
I grin but turn my head away when Lawson’s eyes get trapped to the front of her bikini top.
“It’s almost too hot,” Gigi complains even though a smile is on her face watching Amelia play with Kincaid.
Dad hasn’t said a word to me since this morning, and I’d wager he’s purposely keeping his distance. Gigi doesn’t seem fazed by it, used to his moods by now.
If Lawson is here, that means there’s a good chance that Drew is lurking around. I refuse to scan the group of people to find him. Everyone from Cerberus is here. I overheard that their orders will be pulling them away first thing in the morning, so they’re trying to have a little fun before their responsibilities kick back in.
“Hey, baby girl.”
My smile feels fake and I pray it doesn’t look that way when I glance at Jinx, one of the Cerberus guys bent over Simone’s belly.
“Would you stop?” Rocker says, swatting at his best friend to get him away from his woman.
“What?” Jinx looks genuinely confused. “I’ve always talked to her belly that way.”
“When it was your baby in there. This one is mine. Get lost.”
How those three—Simone, Jinx, and Rocker—have managed to remain so close in a situation that would’ve torn many others apart is beyond me. She has two men in her life willing to protect her, her son, and the little girl growing in her belly, and I can’t even make eye contact with Drew without wanting to strangle him.
Or kiss him.
God, how many times have I thought about kissing him since he walked into the clubhouse last night? I think a million would be lowballing the guess.
“Hey.”
I squeal when cold water drips over my legs and stomach, but a genuine smile is on my face when I look up and see Apollo drying himself with a towel.
“Having fun with the manly men?” I tease as he sits on the edge of my lounger.
“Always.”
“And your nuts?” Cannon asks. He’s always been the one skating on the edge of the rules Cerberus has lain out for everyone.
“My nuts are perfectly fine.”
“Because Izzy keeps them in her purse?”
The smile drops from Apollo’s mouth, and I can tell he’s gearing up to argue. He looks down at me instead when I place my hand on his.
Cannon hisses when Rivet, the only female member of Cerberus, pinches him. They stare at each other having a conversation without words before Cannon offers, “It’s just a joke, man. Sorry.”
Apollo ignores him, leaning in close to whisper in my ear. His hand is on my stomach, an intimate gesture that never bothered me before.
“My nuts wouldn’t fit in your purse.” He presses cold lips to my cheek.
I should be focused on him, should be paying attention to my friend and those around me, but it’s then that my eyes find Drew’s on the other side of the pool.
He’s in cargo shorts and a t-shirt, a stark contrast to the uniform he was wearing the night I met him, but the leisurely look does nothing to detract from his handsomeness. His jaw is tense, fingers nearly crushing the can of soda in his huge hand.
Apollo, noticing my attention is elsewhere, swivels slightly to look over his shoulder. “We still need to have a conversation about him.”
I nod, an instinctual reaction to appease him.
“Soon, Izzy.”
“Okay,” I agree.
At this point, I should just hold a damn conference with everyone here, tell them all my secrets and get it over with.
“Izzy?” Cold fingers brush my skin, making me pull my eyes from Drew’s glare to look at Apollo. “Him being here now doesn’t change things for me.”
Oh, God. Was he lying when he agreed to being only friends? What kind of drama is this going to cause? Will I ever catch a break?
Maybe moving out on my own and coming here less would be best. That might work for my sanity, but I know the baby will have a better life sticking closer to family. Running from my problems isn’t an option. I know my dad wouldn’t let it happen, and I have no doubt Apollo would chase after me as well. Drew? Who knows what he would do if I left. He’d probably be relieved that his mistakes were no longer right in front of his face.