Breaking the Cycle (Rocking Racers Book 1)

by Megan Lowe

  We all laugh.

  “We’re ten weeks along. Oh, do you have the DVD?” I ask Reed.

  “It’s in the car. Jax!” he yells over all the chatter. “There’s a white bag in my car with a DVD and some pictures, can you get it for us?”

  “Sure thing, Papa.” He shoots us a cheeky grin.

  “Anyway, yeah, we’re ten weeks along. The baby is healthy and measuring on track. We’re due for another scan in six weeks.”

  “But how?” Gray asks.

  “The antibiotics I was taking for my leg interfered with my birth control.”

  “So I owe you a drink or ten,” Reed says to Rome, throwing him a wink.

  “Call us even,” Rome replies.

  “Nah, man, you helped give me a family.”

  I turn and look at Reed. “We’re having a family.” Tears pool in my eyes as emotion crawls up my throat.

  “Yeah, we are.”

  “Got ’em,” Jax says, and pulls down the screen for the projector. He goes to the bar and puts in the DVD. The sonogram comes up on the screen.

  “Holy shit,” Mav exclaims.

  Pop nods. “Yep, that’s our baby.” I swear my heart almost beats out of my chest.

  Four photos were printed, so Reed and I each keep one and we give one to my parents and one to Pop.

  “So when’s the wedding?” Grayson asks.

  I turn to Reed. “Ah….” We laugh.

  “We haven’t discussed when,” I say. “We do know we want it small, just friends and family, at your house.” I look at my parents.

  “In the garden?” Mum asks.

  I nod.

  “Lovely.”

  I nod again and lean back on Reed; he’s rubbing my belly gently. I still can’t believe I’ve had another person growing inside me for ten weeks and I didn’t know. Yes, the signs were there but I’m amazed I didn’t put them all together.

  Lunch is a rowdy affair and then rolls into Reed’s party.

  He parks me in a chair and doesn’t let me move all night. He brings me food and drink and anything else I want, never straying far. Grayson and I laugh at his antics.

  “He’s not going to let you do anything until you pop that kid out,” she says with a smile. It’s so nice to see her happy again. I’m so glad Rome came to his senses and they were able to work things out.

  “I know. He told me it’s my job to grow the kid, and he’ll do everything else.”

  “You got yourself a good one, Bri.”

  I nod. “And it’s good to see you and Rome worked everything out.”

  “Yeah, it is.”

  A few hours later I’m starting to doze off.

  “All right, guys, we’re out,” Reed says, picking me up. “You ready for bed?” he asks.

  I nod, resting my head on his shoulder. We leave to a chorus of “Night, Mama,” and I chuckle.

  Once home, Reed lays me down on the bed and proceeds to take off all our clothes.

  He lies down, his head at my belly.

  “Hey there, buddy,” he says to my stomach. “I’m your daddy. I just want you to know your mama and I love you very much and we can’t wait to meet you. I do want to ask you something though, and that’s to look after your mama for me. You’ve been so good we didn’t even know you were there, so good job.”

  I chuckle. Never in a million years did I expect to ever see this soft side of Reed, but it's what he willingly shares with me every day.

  “Anyway, you just chill in there, getting nice and big and strong, and we’ll be ready and waiting for you in six and a half months.”

  He presses a kiss just below my belly button.

  “I love you, buddy, sleep tight.”

  Tears stream down my cheeks. “Jesus, Reed.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “That was so beautiful.”

  “So are you, even more so now that I know my baby’s growing inside you.” He moves up the bed and kisses my neck.

  He pulls back to look me in the eyes.

  “Nothing’s going to happen to you, right?” he asks, suddenly getting serious.

  “Hey.” I cup his face. “I’m going to be fine. The baby and I are fine. You heard the doctor. I’ve been fine so far and I’m almost through the most fragile part, so, touch wood”—I reach down and grab his erection—“everything will be all right. Okay?” I grin.

  He smiles at the gesture, but continues, “It’s just—”

  “Your family hasn’t had the best of luck, I know, but don’t you think we’ve already had our share of bad luck?”

  He nods.

  “And look how that turned out.” I rest my hand over his on my stomach.

  Reed smiles.

  “See, not so bad, huh?”

  “God, I love you. You’re so fucking amazing, Bria, and I can’t believe you’re going to be my wife and the mother of my child.”

  “Mmm.” I move his hand from my stomach to the growing need between my legs. His thumb circles my clit. I moan louder and arch my back.

  “Yeah, that’s it.” He presses down harder.

  “More,” I pant.

  “What’s that?” he asks.

  “I need more.”

  “What do you need, baby, tell me.”

  “You.”

  “You got me, angel.”

  “I want you inside me.”

  “Fingers or cock?”

  “Fingers then cock.” He shoots me his panty-dropping dimpled smile and slips a finger inside me.

  I spread my legs wider and thrust into his hand.

  He slides easily in and out of me then adds a second finger. The intrusion is perfect. I rake my nails down his back, my sensitive nipples rubbing against his chest. He curls his fingers, finding my G spot, and I feel a rush of moisture between my legs as I come.

  “That’s my girl,” Reed says as he continues to slide his fingers in and out of me, drawing out my orgasm.

  “I love you so much, Reed.”

  “And I love you and our son, so much, angel.” He leans down to kiss me.

  I pull him down to me and he slips inside. I hike my leg over his hip. He grabs it and squeezes hard. I’ll probably have bruises in the morning but I don’t care. I twist my hips and flip us so I’m on top, riding him. His eyes light up as I lean over and my hair falls over us like a curtain. He reaches up, cups my face, and brings it to his.

  “You two are the most important people in my life. I don't want anything to happen you, either of you.”

  I cup his face in return. “Honey, nothing’s going to happen. Everything’s going to be fine.”

  Chapter Forty-Two

  REED

  I’ve become addicted to my son’s kicks. It’s an amazing sensation when you feel the life you helped create kick inside the woman you love. Bria started showing a few weeks ago, and it’s so mind-blowing. It’s one thing knowing our baby is growing inside her, but it’s another thing entirely to actually see it.

  She sleeps on my chest now so her body is aligned mostly with mine. She says it’s easier this way. I say, as long as I have my family close to me, I don’t give a fuck how she sleeps.

  We haven’t set a firm date for the wedding yet; we’ve been so busy. Between Liam’s tour as champ, and getting Mav and Jax out there for their invites to the Extreme Games, there hasn’t been time. Whenever it is, hopefully our son will make his appearance as a honeymoon gift. God, I can’t wait.

  But first thing’s first, and tonight is the Rocking Racers charity gala.

  Bria is wearing a strapless dress that makes her tits look huge. They’ve grown as our son has, and it’s definitely awesome. The dress falls from there, showing a hint of our son growing inside her. She’s sitting on the bed putting on her shoes when I notice the height of them.

  “What the fuck are they?” I growl.

  “Shoes,” she replies, not looking up from doing the buckle up.

  “Those have to be four-inch heels.”

  “Yep, boosting me up
like a big girl.”

  “Well that’s a shame, because you’re not wearing them.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Those heels are ridiculous! You’ll fall and break your neck, or worse, hurt our son.”

  “I’ve worn them before, Reed.”

  “Yes, but you’ve never been five months pregnant before. What happens if you fall? You could land on your belly.”

  “You’re really worried about this?”

  “You two are the most precious things to me,” I say, coming to kneel in front of her. “It’s my job to make sure you’re both safe.”

  “It’ll be fine, Reed. They’re just shoes.”

  “They’re really fucking high, Mama.”

  She sighs. “You really don’t want me wearing them?”

  I shake my head.

  “Fine,” she huffs. “Go grab my black flats from the closet.”

  I get up, kiss her forehead, and rub her belly. “Thank you.”

  With the shoe situation sorted, we head to the car. She sighs as we pass my bike.

  “I miss this,” she says, running her hand over the seat.

  “Mmm, me too. I love having you wrapped around me.”

  “Guess there’s not really room for it in our immediate future, huh?”

  “Not with you carrying precious cargo.”

  “It’s a pity. I always had this fantasy….”

  “Oh yeah?”

  She nods and bites her lip. I go over and hug her to me.

  “Tell me, what does this fantasy involve?”

  “You and me,” she says.

  “That much I get.” I kiss her nose.

  “On that bike.” She nods towards it.

  “Really?” I arch an eyebrow.

  She nods again, still biting her lip.

  “I think that can be arranged.”

  “It can?”

  “No rule saying we have to take the bike anywhere, is there?”

  “No.”

  “So as long as we lock the doors, then what’s stopping us?” I kiss her neck.

  “Nothing, I guess.”

  “But right now we have a gala to get to, so damp down those hormones and let’s go,” I say, releasing her and opening the car door.

  She pouts as she gets in. “It’s not like I’m the only one with a rush of blood,” she says, and nods to my cock pressed hard against my zipper.

  “Never said you were, but right now we don’t have time.” I grin, hardly believing it myself that I'm postponing sex.

  We arrive with the others, Bria making sure we all do our time with the media on the red carpet. Rome also does his bit. Since Bria had the features done on him, business has massively picked up and Rome’s in demand.

  I finish with the media and walk over to Bria and Grayson.

  “What’s with your dress?” Gray asks her. “The hem is drowning you.”

  “Mr Overprotective over there wouldn’t let me wear my heels.”

  “But it’s okay for you to trip over your dress?”

  I stand behind Bria and hug her, my hands on our son.

  “No, she won’t because I’ll be right next to her.” As I speak, our son starts kicking. Bria grins and grabs Grayson’s hand.

  “Holy shit,” Gray whispers.

  “Pretty amazing, right?” I ask.

  “It’s incredible. You two made that. There’s a baby in there!”

  “I hope so,” Bria says. “I’d hate to think I’m capable of putting on this much weight so quickly.”

  “You’re beautiful,” I whisper in her ear.

  “All right, kids, that’s enough of a show for the media,” Jax says. “You’re taking the attention away from the real stars.”

  “I don’t see any,” Gray says, looking around.

  “You know,” Jax says, slinging an arm around her shoulders, “it’s a good thing you and I didn’t work out. I mean, you clearly aren’t appreciative of my star power.”

  “If you’re such a star, where’s your date?”

  “No, no girls on the carpet, only forever ones. It sends them the wrong impression. They start thinking it means something and then they never go away. Plus, we don’t want any scorned ladies going to the tabloids. It gives a bad impression, right media Mama-boss?”

  “You make me sound like a pimp or a madam,” Bria huffs.

  “Hey, that’s not a bad idea,” Jax says. “Can you hook me up?”

  “You’re calling the mother of my child, your nephew, a pimp?” I growl at him.

  He holds his hands up. “Course not.”

  “Didn’t think so.”

  “Go on, we’ve got the step and repeat and then we can go inside.”

  We all smile prettily for the cameras then go inside.

  Mav and Jax make a beeline for the bar and the women congregating there. They’ll have their work cut out for them with this crowd. Rocking Racers brings together rock stars and racing stars, both two and four wheels, to raise funds for a nominated charity. This year it’s breast cancer. Every year we make sure at least two of us go but I can see Bria buzzing with the networking opportunities, so I’d say that’s going to change and we’ll all be attending from now on.

  She starts schmoozing right away, impressing some of the hardest men in racing.

  I see McKnley Rhodes, spelt without the I apparently. Her sister, Ashton, and Park had a thing going for a while but it was hard with their band, named Places, always on tour.

  We sit down for dinner and I’m questioning the waiter on what’s being served. There’re so many things pregnant women shouldn’t eat, but I’m pretty sure I know them all.

  Tension hits the table.

  Hunter and two of his goons saunter over.

  “What the fuck?” I ask.

  “It’s nice to see you, too, Reed. I see life has been good to you.” He nods towards Bria.

  Hackles rise around our table.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  “Out on bail before my trial, so I thought I’d come over and say hi, see how you’re doing.”

  “Fuck off, Hunter.” He shouldn't even have been able to get into this event.

  “Now, now, that’s not a very nice thing to say, is it? I was just trying to be friendly. After all, do you really want to test me? You of all people should know how dangerous it is for women to be involved with your family. I still remember poor Emma. Such a beauty. A shame she liked to party, but then I guess it wouldn’t have been such an issue if Parker had wrapped his shit up. Having a Ryan baby greatly increases the dangers of childbirth”—he glances at Bria’s stomach—“but then just being around you lot is dangerous. Fights at the diner, explosions at garages... not a very safe environment for women or children, is it?”

  I don’t think, all I know is I have to get to him. I lunge, fists flying, but am blocked by Rome.

  “Leave it,” he says to me.

  “Nobody threatens my fiancée and baby and gets away with it.”

  “Let him go, Rome. He’s more of a man than you’ll ever be,” Hunter taunts.

  “Shut up, Hunter,” Rome says, trying to restrain us both.

  “I see you’re sitting pretty too. New job, new digs, new girl. A lot to lose right there.”

  “You leave my girl and home out of this, Hunter.”

  “Perhaps we could start a curse for your family as well.”

  “You son of a bitch!” This time it’s me restraining Rome as he lunges.

  Just then Detective Cameron comes over.

  “A problem, gentlemen?”

  “No problem,” Hunter says.

  “You know you’re not allowed contact with witnesses.”

  “I was simply walking past and Roman and Reed here lunged at me.”

  “You lying piece of shit,” Roman curses.

  “I’ve got the whole confrontation recorded,” Mav pipes up. He shows it to Detective Cameron.

  “Looks like we’re going to be adding two counts of witness ta
mpering and harassment to your charges on Monday, Mr David. Turn around.”

  “This is bullshit,” he says.

  “Unfortunately for you, Mr Ryan has been filming for a while and captured everything, including you approaching the table. I assume Ms Adams and Ms Dean would like to pursue harassment charges?”

  The girls nod.

  “I’ll have those drawn up. See you Monday morning.” He marches Hunter off. His goons have magically disappeared.

  I take a breath, running my hands through my hair, and see Cole Matthews approach the table. He and I go all the way back to the juniors; we were each other’s main competition.

  “Everything okay?” he asks.

  “Yeah, Cole, we’re good. Just had to throw out the rubbish.” I squeeze Bria’s shoulder. Cole sees and smiles.

  “You must be Bria,” he says, and she nods. “Cole Matthews,” he introduces himself, extending a hand.

  “Oh, you’re the guy who won the Supermoto title,” she says. My girl’s come a long way in six months and now is almost as knowledgeable as all of us in terms of racing.

  He nods. “That’s me.”

  “I’ve heard you’re coming over to the NRS next season.”

  He shrugs. “I need a ride first.”

  “You looking?” I ask.

  “Well yeah. I mean, Supermoto is good, but the level of competition could use some improving.”

  “Or you could use a change of scenery.”

  He nods.

  “You still got the same management?”

  “Yeah, man, family’s hard to shake, you know that.”

  “I do. No promises, but I’ll see what we can do.”

  “Yeah?” he asks, surprised.

  I shrug. “We know when we’re on a good thing and we’re looking to expand.”

  “Wow, man.”

  “We’ll be in touch.”

  “Yeah, thanks. It was great to meet you, Bria, guys.” He returns to his table, where McKnley Rhodes waits for him, looking anything but impressed.

  Later that week, Ryan Racing made an offer to Cole. He accepted a day later.

  The press loved it. The sponsors loved it more.

  The good news was topped off by Hunter’s verdict. He was found guilty of attempted murder, arson, assault, two counts of harassment and intimidating a witness. He won’t be seeing freedom for a long time.