“Are we going in full or sparring?”
I crack him on the jaw. It’s unexpected and he stumbles back. “Fuck,” he growls, wiping his bloodied lip on his arm.
“We’re not sparring,” I confirm.
He shrugs his shoulders a few times, loosening himself and, then he hits me back, busting my lip. He grins. “That’s better.”
We throw punches back and forth, occasionally causing minor damage. “Is it Hadley?” he eventually asks. I hit him harder, catching his cheek, but he shakes it off and smiles. “Did she get sick of your shit already?”
“No, she can’t get enough of me, brother.”
“Pres,” he corrects. “So, it’s about your mum?”
I double jab him in the stomach. “Nope.”
“Bullshit.” He hits the side of my head. “You were about to kick her out of here at two in the morning!”
“And you saved her arse yet again.” I give him a few jabs in his side.
“You’re pissed I’m helping her?” He laughs, then lays into me, backing me against the wall and landing punches over my body. He backs off, and I wince when pain shoots through my ribs. “I think I broke one,” he says, smirking.
“She can’t be helped. You don’t listen.”
“It’s not your call, I’m in charge. Or is that your problem?”
I hit him in the face, busting his nose, and laugh. “Being President is going to your head, brother. I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes for nothing.”
“Yah know what I think?” he snaps, resting his hands on his knees and watching blood drip to the ground. “I think you don’t know what the fuck is wrong. I think you need to see someone for depression.”
“I’m not depressed,” I growl out.
“You are, Grim. I’ve seen it before, remember. I was right then, and I’m right now.”
“You don’t know what the fuck is going on in my life right now, brother. You’re too busy rescuing people to see what’s going on.”
“Then tell me!” he yells.
I rip the gloves from my hands and throw them to the ground. “We’re done here,” I state and head for the steps.
“Tell me what to do and I’ll do it, Grim. Whatever it takes to help you.” I ignore him, leaving him dripping with blood, and make my way upstairs.
I pace outside Hadley’s room, stopping several times and place my hand on the door handle but pull away before I go in. Do I tell her everything and hope she likes me enough to forgive me? I’m scared to risk it. She might never speak to me again, and I hate that thought.
The door suddenly opens, and I spin to see Hadley wearing my shirt. We stare at each other silently for a few seconds before she turns back towards her bed, leaving the door open for me to follow. She gets into bed, throws me a pillow and sheet, then turns the lamp off and lays down. I stare at the bedding in my arms before sighing and dropping it to the ground beside her bed. I kick off my boots and sit on the floor. “I fucked up.”
“Yeah, you did,” she whispers.
“I want to tell you,” I mutter, “but I’m scared.” I sound like a pussy, but with Hadley, I don’t mind cos I know she won’t judge me. I can let my guard down.
“I’m mad at you,” she says firmly. “Don’t make me feel bad about that.”
I smile, even though she can’t see me. “I’m not trying to. You’re right to be mad.”
“What happened to your face?”
“Your brother got his arse kicked.”
“Looks like you didn’t come off lightly either.”
“I realised something today.” She remains quiet, so I continue. “I can’t function when you’re not around me. I’m so used to running to you with problems that when that option is taken away, I don’t know what to do.”
“Did you sort the problem?”
My heart squeezes at the image of Meli’s face as they sucked my baby from her and angry tears fill my eyes. Men don’t fucking cry. I can hear Eagle’s words ringing in my ears and I swipe the tears away quickly. “Yeah,” I whisper.
“Go to sleep, Grim. Tomorrow is a new day.”
I lie down on the floor and pull the sheet over me. I stare at the ceiling, wondering if Meli is okay or if it’s haunting her too.
HADLEY
“Hads, your sister isn’t feeling well, could you take her some breakfast?” Mum asks, and I nod, grabbing a plate and filling it.
“What’s wrong with her?” I ask.
“You know Meli,” she says, winking. “Dramatic. It’s probably period pains.”
I laugh and head up to her room. She’s lying in bed and her eyes are red from crying. I place the plate on the bedside table and sit beside her, stroking her hair from her face. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m being silly,” she mumbles, her voice croaky from crying. “It’s just a bit of a stomach ache.”
I smile, remembering Mum’s comment. I pull the covers back. “Well, how about we watch a film and—” I stare wide-eyed at her pyjamas. “Jesus Christ, Meli! What the fuck?” She looks down too and pales. There’s so much blood, it looks like a murder scene. “That’s not a period, is it?”
Meli begins to hyperventilate and cry all at the same time. Taking her hand, I crouch so I’m eye-level. “Okay, it’s fine. Just breathe. Nice and slow, in through the nose, out through the mouth.” She copies me, but her eyes are wide with panic and I can tell she’s scared. “Maybe it’s just a really bad period, but I’m gonna get Mum to come and check. Stay calm.”
I run downstairs and whisper to Mum that I need her urgently. Grim catches my eye, but I don’t have time to explain as I pull her out the kitchen.
Mum lifts the covers back and raises her eyebrows in shock. “Okay, my darling girl. I’m sure it’s nothing, but we should get you checked out. I’m going to call an ambulance.”
Meli panics more, shaking her head. “No. No. I don’t need a hospital.”
“Sweetheart, it’s better to be safe than—”
“I was pregnant. I lo—” She lets out a shaky breath. “I lost it. This is normal.”
My mouth falls open. “Pregnant?”
“Yes. Long story really, but it’s fine now. Well . . . apart from this. See if Doc’s around.”
Mum pushes me to the door. “Find Doc.”
I stumble from the room straight into Grim’s chest. He steadies me, looking worried. “Are you okay?”
“Can you go and find Doc?”
“What’s wrong?” he asks. “Has something happened to Meli?”
“She’s had a miscarriage.”
Grim frowns. “What?”
“She never told me she was pregnant,” I whisper. “Why wouldn’t she tell me that?”
“I’ll go and find Doc,” Grim mutters, heading downstairs. I slide down the hall wall. We share everything, though I know we’ve had some secrets. Meli being abused by Ripper was a huge shock to us all, not just me. And I’ve been seeing Grim without her knowledge, but it’s only because I don’t want to hear her negativity. But pregnant? I didn’t even know she was seeing anyone.