by L. A. Casey
Kane dropped me off at work and wished me a good day. I got in at ten and luckily the three hours until lunch went by pretty quickly. All of my students were well behaved and caused no problems throughout the day. Even though everything went by smoothly, I was still pooped by the time I sat down in the staff room next to my friend, and fellow co-worker, Kiera McKesson.
We discussed how my appointment went and fawned over my new scan pictures of the baby. I told her how I was showing everyone the DVD later and I mentioned how excited Bronagh was to see it and that made Kiera smile.
“How are Bronagh and Dominic doin’?” she asked me.
I took a gulp from my water bottle, swallowed it down then said, “Great, they’re still goin’ strong. They’re both mad, but they’re pretty cool people. I love them, they’re like me family now.”
Kiera smiled. “I’m glad, even though I’m very surprised they are together still.”
I raised my eyebrow. “You are? Why?”
She sighed. “They hated each other in school, and when I say hate I really mean hate. I could tell Dominic fancied Bronagh though and he didn’t know what to do with her cold shoulder. The poor lad was sent into a three-sixty the moment she walked late into class that morning. I’ll never forget the look on his face the moment he first saw her—it was perfection. He sat up straight and stared at her when she walked towards her desk. I’m pretty sure he was about to say somethin’ sweet to her until she told him he was seated at her desk in a snarky tone.”
I laughed, “I wish I could have been there. He worships her now. I wonder if it was instant for him.”
“Instant attraction? Yeah, I’m sure it was. He thought winnin’ her affections was a game, and one he would easily win. She made it very hard for him though, bless her.”
“He adores her.” I smiled. “He gets her little gifts all the time just to shower her with them. He is a sucker for gettin’ her flowers.”
We laughed together for a few moments until Kiera gasped.
“What?” I asked, alarmed.
She face palmed herself. “I completely forgot to tell you about a delivery you got this mornin’.”
“A delivery for me?” I questioned.
Kiera nodded. “I signed for it and told the delivery man your classroom number. Class was in session so he left the delivery with the caretaker who said he would bring it to your room during break time. Whatever it was, he left it in there for you.”
I yawned. “Good thing I didn’t go home right away today. Usually, I do durin’ the week to get to Kane early for his injections.”
“I’ll say.” Kiera smiled. “Enjoy your weekend. Don’t hurt Kane... too much.”
I stood up and saluted her. “Yes, Miss. Mckesson.”
Kiera snorted at me and waved me on as I left the staff room. I cracked my back as I left the room and groaned out loud. I was tired, my back hurt, my feet were sore and no matter what I ate, I still felt hungry.
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket so I took it out and answered it. “Hello?”
“Do you want me to come get you?”
I rolled my eyes at his rudeness. “Hey, Kane. How are you on this fine Friday afternoon?”
I heard him sigh. “Hello, babydoll. Do you want me to come pick you up?”
I grinned. “Hiya and no, I’m fine. I have me own car, Keela dropped it off for me two hours ago.”
“Oh, right.” Kane was silent for a moment. “Are you swinging by my house or going home after work?”
I yawned. “I’m going to yours to give you your injection, then home. I’m knackered.”
“Oh.”
I sighed. “Oh, what?”
“Well, I thought we were going to show everyone the DVD of the baby today?”
I groaned, “I forgot about that. I was just talkin’ about it and I still forgot. I’m not with it today.”
“It’s okay we can—”
“No, it’s fine,” I cut Kane off. “I’ll just go to your house and stay there for the day. I’ll nap on the sofa or somethin’.”
“Or something,” Kane grumbled.
“What?”
He cleared his throat. “Nothing, I’ll see you soon.”
“‘Kay, bye.”
I hung up my phone, pocketed it, and continued to walk down the never-ending hallway to my classroom. Kiera kindly swapped rooms with me for the reminder of the year because it was closer to the staff room than what my old room was. I didn’t see the logic of her offer when I was thirteen weeks pregnant, but now that I was showing and feeling a little strained, I was glad I didn’t have to walk as far.
My students liked it as well because they got to see more of the older students. The school I worked in was huge; it was both a primary and secondary school in one, which meant there were students of all ages roaming around.
I made it to my temporary classroom, but just as I walked inside I halted all movements. “Oh, my God,” I whispered as I walked closer to the huge bouquet of flowers on my desk. There were so many flowers and colours packed into a single glass vase. I was stunned to silence. I didn’t know what to think or do—I just stood and stared.
I didn’t know how much time had passed by before I slowly began to make my way over to the breathtaking arrangement on my desk. When I was close enough to do so I leaned in, closed my eyes and inhaled a deep breath.
The scent was divine.
I smiled as I opened my eyes and roamed them over the stems, petals and then to the white envelope that was placed neatly on the side of the bouquet. I reached in and picked the envelope up, then gently opened it. I pulled out the card from inside and read what was written: Halfway there, Mama Bear.
Who could have sent these?
Kane.
I don’t know why, but he was the first person that came to mind and it made me a little giddy. It only took a few seconds for that giddiness to quickly turn to annoyance. I was annoyed at myself, not necessarily at Kane. He was being very sweet to me lately. He gave me no ammo for arguments so they have been few and far between, but not arguing with him made me mad.
The fact that I knew I was starting to really like him really bothered me as well. I didn’t want to get invested in him in case things went badly between us. I would only end up being hurt.
I just didn’t know what else do to or how to act with both of us constantly being civil towards one another. Falling in like with him seemed to be unavoidable.
“You’re havin’ his baby, you shouldn’t want arguments!” I snapped to myself.
I didn’t know what the hell was happening to me, but I knew that I didn’t like it. I liked Kane’s sweet side, and yet I didn’t at the same time. I knew how to handle annoyed Kane. I could probably even stand a chance against mad Kane, but sweet Kane, are you kidding me? That was a losing battle.
Was I losing my mind?
Going crazy was the only explanation because any part of me that liked something Kane said or did was just obscene. I couldn’t fathom a reality where I could possibly like anything about him or in relation to him. Then again I would have never pegged myself to be knocked up with his child either.
It was official.
I was losing my damn mind.
“Hello?” I called out as I entered the Slater household.
I heard movement upstairs then footsteps as someone descended the stairs.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t bullshit me right now. I’m tired, hungry, and want to sleep.”
Kane snorted as he neared me. “You want me to tell everyone to fuck off?”
“No,” I laughed. “They’re all excited to see the DVD of the baby. If we deprived them of watchin’ it, the girls might kill you.”
“Why me?”
I smirked. “They can’t hurt me, I’m the pregnant one.”
“Technicality.”
I grinned. “Whatever. I’ve to wee first, give me five minutes?”
“Why five?”
&n
bsp; “If you must know it takes me a minute or two to heave meself up from the toilet.”
Kane burst into laughter, “How long will it be before you’re calling me to help you up?”
“Never. I’m not weak, I can lift meself up from a bloody toilet… it just takes me a minute or two.”
Kane laughed as I walked past him. I adjusted the strap of my bag over my shoulder and sighed as I began to climb the stairs. I hated that there were so many flights of stairs in this house. I hated it even more that Kane’s room was on the top bloody floor.
“You could just use the bathroom on the second floor instead of going all the way to the top, you know?”
I rolled my eyes. “I know, but I want to put my slippers on and I left them in your room.”
Everyone had slippers belonging to me in their house so I could wear them when I was over. I loved how thoughtful it was and my feet really appreciated it.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Kane asked.
I shook my head. “I’m fine. I’ll be back down in a few minutes.”
“Okay, shout if you need me.”
He went into the sitting room on the second floor while I continued up two more flights of stairs to get to the fourth floor. I noticed that this many stairs would be a hazard to a child and that the entire house would have to be baby proofed.
“More work,” I grumbled to myself.
I sighed when I got to the fourth floor and headed into Kane’s room. I walked into his en-suite and relieved myself on the toilet. When I was finished, I washed and dried my hands and headed back into his bedroom.
I kicked off my shoes and slid my feet into my fluffy bunny slippers and groaned in pleasure as I did so. They felt like a million tiny kisses on my feet with each step I took in them. They were simply Heaven.
I turned to exit Kane’s room, but the sound of a phone ringing halted my movements. I scanned the room and spotted Kane’s phone charging on his locker on his side of the bed. I blinked dumbly when I realised my mind automatically put him on the right-hand side of the bed, and made it his spot while I claimed the left.
Brain, we don’t live here!
I shook my head clear and walked over to the phone. I glanced at the screen and saw Damien flash across the screen. I smiled and picked the phone up. I tapped the screen of the phone and brought it to my ear.
“Welcome to your voicemail inbox, you have one new message. Press one to hear this message.”
I went to put Kane’s phone down, I really did, but I was curious as to why Damien would leave a voicemail when he could have just rang the other brothers if he wanted to talk. He clearly had something to say for Kane’s ears, and the nosey bitch in me wanted to know what it was.
I pressed one on the screen and brought the phone back to my ear.
“Hey, it’s me. Look, I don’t want you or the others to worry, but I’ve been keeping tabs on Big Phil and his boys. Before Ryder says anything, I’ve been keeping them from a distance. I was just curious who was running the compound now that Marco is gone. Turns out Big Phil has made himself at home there.”
Damien paused when a noise sounded in the background then resumed speaking a moment later.
“Anyway, I swung by when everyone was out and found Manny on watch. Can you believe it? That dude is still the worst drunk I’ve ever come across and he is on guard duty. Fucking idiots.”
Damien paused when another noise sounded in the background. I snorted when he said, “Fucking broken window.”
He either left the room he was in or moved away from the window; wherever he was now it was quiet. Real quiet.
“So I asked Manny how things have been. He didn’t know it was me because I had a hat on and a scarf covering my face. He was kind enough to let on that the new boss was heading to Ireland because Dominic’s name resurfaced in the underground. Brandon runs his end in the underground legally now so word has spread that Dominic is his fighter, and if anyone wants to challenge him, it’s fifty grand a head. Fifty. Grand. Dominic better be getting a nice pay cheque for that price. Tell him to hit training hard. No doubt those ball busters in the underground will want that purse.”
Fucking hell, people had to pay to get their arse kicked by Dominic?
I mean, really?
Why on earth would anyone want that type of hurt for free, let alone pay for it?
People baffled me!
“Be on the lookout and keep lying low. Especially you Kane. Manny said he has some unfinished business with you. I gotta go, my shitty apartment is falling apart. I’ll call again later. Bye.”
I lowered Kane’s phone from my ear and looked at the screen. I didn’t move for a couple of minutes as I tried to process what I just heard.
“Hey, what’s taking you so long?”
I turned my head to face Kane when he entered his room. He looked at my hand as I lowered my arm to my lap. He had focused on the phone for a few moments before he looked up to my face.
“Who was that?” he asked, taking a step closer to me.
I blinked. “I missed the call, but accidentally entered your voicemail.”
Another step forward.
“Who left me a voicemail?”
I licked my lips. “Damien. He was warnin’ you and your brothers that he heard someone was comin’ to Ireland.”
Kane kept his eyes on mine. “Can I have my phone?”
I lifted my arm and held the phone out for him to freely take.
“I’ve a question.”
Kane swallowed as he took his phone from me. “Shoot.”
“Who is Big Phil and what business do you have with him?
“I don’t understand the question.”
I stared at Kane. “It’s a pretty direct question. Who is Big Phil and what business do you have with him?”
Kane opened his mouth to speak but closed it when no words were spoken.
“Kane?” I pressed. “Why can’t you just answer the question?”
He continued to stare at me and after a further silence he parted his lips and said, “Because I don’t want you to know who Big Phil is.”
I blinked. “Why not?”
“Because you’re pure to me and Big Phil taints everything he has involvement in. I don’t want to discuss him with anyone, especially you. I can’t give you a direct answer, so this will have to be good enough.”
I hated that his reply made me more curious to know who this Big Phil was. But instead of arguing, I raised my eyebrows and said, “Okay.”
Kane licked his lips. “I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad at me.”
“I’m not,” I replied, honestly.
He eyed me, unsure if I was telling him the truth or not. “Really?”
I shrugged. “Kane, you don’t have to share every aspect of your life with me. We are just havin’ a baby together. We don’t need to know one another on a deep personal level.”
My reply made him frown, but he said nothing.
“Are you ready to show everyone the DVD?” I asked, hoping to get out of his room and away from the sudden awkwardness and lingering silence.
Kane nodded his head and held his hand out to me and pulled me up to my feet.
“They’re all in the living room waiting.”
I snorted, “It’s so weird you have your sittin’ room on the second floor.”
He raised his eyebrows at me. “The two most important rooms have to be next to one another, the kitchen and the gym.”
I snorted. “My two favourite rooms right now are me bedroom and the bathroom. Luckily they’re next to each other in me apartment.”
“That’s only because you pee more than you eat right now.”
My stomach rumbled and it caused me to grunt, “Damn you for mentionin’ the kitchen.”
Kane lightly smiled. “Come on, we’ll get you something to eat before we play the DVD.”
I was down for that.
“I’ll give you your injection, too.”
“Great,” Kane
grumbled.
I walked by Kane and tried to ignore how different he was being. He looked deep in thought, a million miles away even though he was right next to me.
“Are you okay?” I asked as we walked down the stairs.
Kane glanced at me. “Huh? Oh, yeah. I’m fine, babydoll.”
I didn’t believe him.
Mentioning this Big Phil person changed him.
“Okay,” I said, not wanting to the press the issue.
We walked down the stairs side by side, but Kane let me go first into the kitchen. I checked his blood sugar level then gave him his second and final injection of the day. When that was done, I made myself a bowl of cereal because I didn’t want to wait around for something to cook. Kane sat and played around with his phone while I ate my food.
I didn’t exactly feel awkward, but I did feel a little uneasy. Something was bothering Kane, I could tell. He was avoiding eye contact with me and playing with his phone, his shoulders slumped and his head bowed. He looked like one of my students when they were hiding something from me.
I thought of something to talk about, and my flowers at school quickly entered my mind.
“Thank you for my flowers.”
Kane looked at me. “What flowers?”
I frowned. “The flowers I received at school today… you sent them, right?”
Kane shook his head. “No.”
I furrowed my eyebrows. “Who sent them then?”
“I have no idea, but it wasn’t me.”
Huh.
That was weird.
I stood up when I finished my cereal and Kane followed suit. He walked over to the kitchen door and waited for me to put my bowl in the sink. I walked out ahead of him and sighed when I got to the stairs. “I wish there was a lift in this house.”
Kane snorted behind me and placed his hands on my hips. “Let’s go, babydoll.”
I huffed and puffed up the stairs and sighed in relief when I got to the second floor and headed for the sitting room. Kane was still behind me, but his hands were no longer on my hips. I kind of missed his touch, but I forced myself to believe that was because he gave me a boost and made moving around easier.