“I am Sandra; I will be doing your ultrasound today. We are just checking for the heartbeat, size, and any abnormalities,” she tells the four of us. I can only imagine what is going through her mind about there being two couples in the room.
Yes, Stacey is a slut if that is what you are thinking.
I look attentively to Roxy and she seems nervous too, as she watches the nurse put the gel onto the wand and lifts up Stacey’s top. I squeeze her hand for reassurance. I really should be paying more attention to her, as this whole drama must be ten times harder for her.
“Okay, here we go. Can you see is the foetus right here? There’s only one in there, and the pulsating right here is the heartbeat. Let me turn the sound on so you can hear it,” she tells us as she turns a dial and we hear the thump-thump, thump-thump of the heartbeat of the little baby inside there.
I can’t help but smile at the sound, it is alive in there, and its heart is beating.
Shit it’s no longer just an unwanted problem.
Roxy looks at me with raised eyebrows and she is smiling at the sound too. She squeezes my hand as I kiss her cheek.
This should be us in a few years, not right now in this situation with them.
I feel a little intrigued when I notice that Ryan isn’t even holding Stacey’s hand. I thought they were together? Maybe he’s not into the public thing.
“Oh wow, that is amazing. Our little baby is in there. Look it’s moving around! God, it’s unreal,” Stacey states beaming and honestly that is the first time I’ve seen that sweet, sensitive side to her. There may just be a maternal bone in her body, after all.
“Pretty cool. So, Doc, is it a boy?” Ryan questions. Bloody typical boxer, no brain just muscles.
“It’s too early to tell the sex yet, in another five to six weeks you can find out,” she announces to him. He looks eager to get out of the room, better yet the building.
“All is okay, so when you leave Stacey book in at reception for your next visit,” Sandra states as she heads out of the room.
“Well, we are going, too. I have clients and Roxy is on her lunch break. I am glad all is okay, Stacey,” I remark to Ryan and Stacey as we nod and turn to leave.
“Thanks for coming,” Stacey calls out sounding a bit dejected that we are leaving so soon.
“Get up and let’s go, too. I’ve got shit to do, Stacey,” I hear Ryan order her obnoxiously.
I can just tell that their relationship is not going to last. Well, at least Stacey is with that tool right now. It’s much better that way so she isn’t causing shit for me and Rox.
But even the possibility of having to deal with her for the rest of the baby’s life is killing me.
Chapter 12
Charity Boxing Event
I hastily answer my phone after drying off at the beach after my morning swim and surf. “Hey coach, what’s up?” I say ambiguously into the phone puzzled by his early call.
“Hey Kado, I’m just calling you to let you know that you have been asked to compete in a charity event for the children’s hospital in two weeks,” he announces to me, and his voice sounds excited about the opportunity.
“Okay, fine by me, I’d love to help out,” I reply, eager to do my bit for sick children any day of the week.
“Wonder if you will still be keen when I tell you it’s a boxing event and it’s against the Rock?” I can’t believe my ears.
“It is more for show Kade, all harmless and just muck around, so there won’t be too many punches. But I know the shit going down between you guys so don’t feel pressured, I’m not making you do it. Be honest though if you aren’t comfortable, I will say no. Maybe Coby could do it,” he tells me and I am still shocked.
“Shit really, against the Rock? That’s fucked coach. I bet Ryan set that shit up, he is pissed that the baby might be mine,” I answer him feeling annoyed. “Set it up coach, I will fight the prick, it’s about pride now. Oh yeah and it’s a good cause,” I add feeling motivated to throw a few punches.
But just thinking of Roxy’s reaction has me wondering the best way to tell her. Either way she will blow up. Part of me wants to ring Stacey and demand to know if she told Ryan to organise it but having nothing to do with her is really the best option.
Roxy – Fight day
I’m still feeling pissed at Kade for accepting the fight, as we casually drive down to the main beach where they have a boxing ring set up. The crowds are crazy, and there are even some signs saying ‘I love you Rock’ and ‘Marry me’.
Similar to the Surfing Comp there are an array of stalls selling anything from the Rock merchandise to surfing key rings and beaded jewellery. The numerous food stalls range from cakes and donuts to hot dogs and fruit salads.
“This place is crazy. All these people are here to watch you, Kade.” I smile at him. I can’t stay mad at this guy, especially when I know it isn’t his fault. I just don’t want him to get hurt. “Go and warm up, baby. Good luck and just remember to block that pretty face of yours,” I playfully tell him as I lean in for a passionate kiss.
“Get a room you two,” Jemma stirs us humorously. She is my plus one today and is going to hold my hand if it’s too hard to watch.
“Well, that good luck kiss is all I need. See you soon.” He doesn’t really seem nervous. I don’t think he will get smashed, but I am sure if it was the Rock on a surfboard he would feel a little inadequate against a world champion.
“I’m so glad you are here Jemma,” I admit to my best friend as we stroll through the crowds to the seating arena. We have seats allocated with my name. The perks of being the girlfriend of the entertainment.
I can’t help but notice the Rock in the distance; he is one muscly guy covered in tattoos and is signing autographs. From the smile on his face, he totally loves himself and is extremely cocky, though I must admit he is good looking and his body is carved. He looks up and nods at me, and then he smiles at Jemma. Of course, he would notice my sexy best friend. What a sleazebag.
He is smirking as he makes his way over to us. I don’t really want to be seen talking with the enemy, Kade would not be impressed.
“Well Jemma, it’s been a while,” Ryan, the Rock, calls out in a loud voice.
“Oh shit, Jemma you know the Rock?” I question my best friend, who totally forgot to tell me that important piece of information.
“Um kind of,” she replies grinning with her flirty smile.
“Oh my God, Jem! How did you not tell me this? Was he was one of your play things?” I desperately quiz her. I am so out of the loop here.
“Um kind of,” she answers acting all naïve again.
“Well, not much has changed. You look just as good as the last time I saw you Jem,” Ryan says flirting with Jemma.
He called her Jem. What the fuck?
“Yeah well, other things have changed. For one, I hear your girlfriend is knocked up,” she stirs him, and I hope she can handle his reaction.
“Yep, what can I say about my swimmers, tough bastards,” he answers, obviously he couldn’t care less about talking to me. Thank God.
We actually have more in common than he realises, with the baby and all.
I am hoping that by some miracle, the baby is one hundred percent his, then I will kiss his size thirteen feet.
“Pity I’m not single, Jem. We had some smoking hot times, didn’t we?” he reveals to Jemma, and she smiles widely and shakes her head. Looking at those massive biceps and muscles in his calves I can see he would be wild in the sack that’s for sure.
“We sure did Ry,” she replies and I bet she’s glad her fiancée isn’t here.
A few fans come up to Ryan to sign posters so I grab Jem and drag her away from ‘the one that got away’ by the looks of it.
“Okay fucking spill it Jemma!” I order my so called bestie who kept me in the dark. “Why did I not know about you and Rocky over there? Jesus this is a massive secret you have kept from me, girlfriend!” I state to her feeling a littl
e pissed she never told me.
“Okay, okay it was only a few times, and it was bad timing for you. It was just before Kade left. I didn’t want to add my crap into your drama, Rox. I promise that’s the only reason I didn’t tell you.”
“Okay, I get it. So spill now,” I declare to her with finesse.
“We met one night at the Easts Sports Bar and well, we had wild, hot, and mind-blowing sex,” she admits to grinning cheekily
“Damn woman, so it was just the once then?” I question her story. They seemed much cosier chatting than just a random hook up.
“Um no, we were sleeping together for a couple months as friends with benefits. Then it got complicated, so I took off. Then I met Dan, thank God for that,” she confesses.
“Wow, that is some story, will you tell your grandkids it one day?” I joke to her and drag her to our chairs as Ryan disappears into the warm up tent.
The sun is beaming at full throttle today and the glare is so bright. Thank God for our sunnies. There is no breeze, so I am praying that a nice cool sea breeze shows up, otherwise poor Kade will melt out there. “Who’s fucking idea was it to put a boxing ring out here, are they stupid?” I state feeling pissed about my poor man who will be sweltering.
The commentators make their way into the ring with their microphones.
“Welcome to the Manly Children’s Hospital Charity Event. All proceeds from the tickets sold will go directly to the charity, thank you all for coming. There is also a barrel down the front for extra donations if you are feeling generous,” the first announcer says.
“Now for the afternoon's entertainment. Competing today for a fun boxing match is none other than the world champion of boxing Ryan ‘The Rock’ Hale and the world surfing champion Kade Thomas.”
“Both have excelled in their sporting careers and this event is purely for charity, so keep it tame guys,” he announces as Kade and the Rock make their way out of the tunnel.
Oh my man looks so handsome in his red and black satin robe that I had made for him. I told him that he didn’t want to be shown up by not dressing the part.
“Okay guys, shake and let’s keep it clean. No head shots,” the referee states.
They shake and start to pivot around the ring.
Ryan mirthlessly throws a right handed punch into Kade’s stomach, and Kade groans in pain.
“Oh no Jemma, I can’t watch, Kade is going to get smashed,” I confess to my best friend.
I have faith in Kade, but Ryan is a boxing champion. Kade is fit but not a boxing fanatic.
“Have faith Rox, as long as he blocks a few shots and gets a few hits in, twenty minutes is going to fly,” Jemma responds and she is right. Just block and get a couple shots in baby, I think to myself.
Kade – Fight Day
I am feeling grateful for my training sessions in the boxing ring with a few experts. At least I know the basics on stance, punches, jabs, and the main defensive move is how to block.
We are ready to fight, I have my mouth guard in and headgear on, I couldn’t give a shit how stupid I look, I’m not getting a brain injury. Coach wraps my hands in tape and I fasten my gloves on.
First punch is a hard one from the Rock. Goddamn, right in my gut. It’s now or never so I throw a right handed punch but the Rock ducks. Fuck this guy is a professional, how will I ever hit him? Just keep throwing punches Kade, I tell myself.
Punch, punch, punch, punch and the last one connects finally into his rib cage. Thank fuck. For every four punches that make me bloody exhausted, one connects.
I remember to inhale and exhale keeping the oxygen pumping through my blood. I know from training that it’s the best way to keep my energy levels up. Only five-minute rounds with a total of twenty minutes, it should go pretty quick.
The Rock throws a left-hander, catching me by surprise as I was expecting a right hook. It connects with my jaw, and fuck, that stings. Hopefully, it didn’t loosen any teeth. I can just imagine poor Roxy freaking out about me getting hit. Okay Kade, focus. If this thick-headed thug is part of your baby’s life, it will be hell. Argh that pisses me off, so I use the anger.
I lean into it and put all of my body weight into the next punch and pivot, then go for the right cross punch I learnt from Chuck at the local boxing ring. It connects and hits Rock in his cheek. Woo-hoo. So much for no headshots, looks like the ref couldn’t care less. I take advantage of his pain and throw a left hook into his body; liver shot for the money while he is recovering from his face hit.
He looks pissed and comes back swinging. Left to my cheek, right to my rib cage, another left to my jaw.
Gloves up, Kade, block the hits.
The left uppercut is my next throw, a great punch fast and unexpected, and then as I learnt from watching Rocky Balboa I slip the jab, hard and fast into his ribs.
Ding, ding, the first bell rings.
It’s neck and neck with five minutes to go. If they were scoring, I would imagine it would be close. I am well and truly exhausted. My left eye is half swollen shut, and I can taste the metallic taste of blood in my mouth. The Rock doesn’t look any better; he has a split lip and a cut on his eyebrow. I can’t help but think about how similar boxing is to surfing; it requires speed, agility, finesse, power, and the mental will to keep going. It is raw and brutal through, that is the difference, and I am sticking to surfing.
I throw a right handed punch, but he blocks it, and then connects his left fist with his jaw. Fuck that one hurt like a motherfucker.
Ding, ding, ding, ding. I have never felt so much joy from hearing a bell ring.
The crowd cheers as the last round ends.
“Let’s give a round of applause to the Rock and Kade for that amazing boxing match,” the commentator states as we shake one last time and head out of the ring.
I anxiously look over at Roxy, who looks upset, then gives me a half-hearted smile. I know she is proud of me but doesn’t like to see me hurt.
“Awesome fight Kade, you know if surfing doesn’t work out, you can come to boxing,” the Rock’s coach says to me.
“No thanks. I’m gonna stick to surfing,” I chuckle and shake my head.
I grab a quick shower and have first aid patch me up. They give me three pain relief tablets too. I need them after what I just went through.
As I make my way out of the tunnel, Roxy comes running up to me and jumps into my arms. “Oh, Kade look at you. Bloody hell, does it hurt?” she queries me all concerned.
“Just a little,” I tell a white lie so she feels better about the way I look. She is the most beautiful girl on the planet to me, without a doubt. I find myself gazing at her, mesmerising her blue eyes as they find mine, and we kiss sweetly. My heart is still thumping hard in my chest from the boxing match. I take her in gazing at her pretty face.
I grab a quick shower and have first aid patch me up. They give me three pain relief tablets too. I need them after what I just went through.
As I make my way out of the tunnel, Roxy comes running up to me and jumps into my arms.
“Oh, Kade look at you. Bloody hell, does it hurt?” she queries me all concerned.
“Just a little,” I tell a white lie so she feels better about the way I look. She is the most beautiful girl on the planet to me, without a doubt. I find myself gazing at her, mesmerising her blue eyes as they find mine, and we kiss sweetly. My heart is still thumping hard in my chest from the boxing match. I take her in gazing at her pretty face.
“You know part of me was fighting for your honour Roxy?” I felt like I couldn’t let her down. “I want to be your knight in shining armour in more ways than one, baby,” I add.
“You are my knight in shining armour each and every day. You made me proud today baby, and you did it for a wonderful cause, not just for the fighting part. But I forbid you from ever fighting like that again!” Her stern and angry voice that makes me chuckle.
“Yes mam, no more boxing for me,” I agree, in more ways than one. I can’t remember
the last time my body ached like this.
I gently place Roxy down and even after almost ten months together my knees still go a little weak when we embrace and kiss deeply. My breath stops and catches in my throat.
I see Roxy’s pupils dilate and her eyes smoulder with intensity, then as if trying to kill me, she licks her lips and bites down on her lower lip.
“I need you naked and on top of me, gorgeous girl,” I whisper into her ear. The lust in her eyes is burning into me. I wonder if she is aroused and wet from seeing me working hard in the ring.
She smirks as if she can read my dirty mind. “Let’s go home. I have saved a few moves for the bedroom, baby.” I squeeze her hand and can think of nothing more perfect than climbing into bed with my goddess.
Chapter 13
Girl Power
Roxy
“Girls’ night, Rox. No arguments. I’m just not sure where to go for once in my life,” Jemma announces grinning as she strolls in one afternoon after work. I guess with all of the baby talks, Kade’s charity fight, and my work being so unappealing to me right now, it really does sound like a tempting offer.
“What if we travel interstate and make a weekend of it? I’ve got it! Gold Coast, Roxy! Party time!” I smile then shrug my shoulders, agreeing that it could be fun.
Correction will be fun!
“I am excited Rox, just going to jump on my laptop to see what I can find. Oh and text the other girls to see who is free for next weekend on such short notice.”
“A girls’ weekend sounds perfect,” I reply to her. It is perfect timing, the closer we come to getting the paternity test results, the tenser I feel. I’m totally stressed and a maybe a little confused.
Well, not confused about my feelings for Kade, or about the fact that I will be by his side through whatever life throws our way. But confused and wondering just how much time Kade might actually be spending with Stacey and the baby.
I’m in it for the long haul, so I will try and take each day as it comes. I gave up on us once before and I won’t do that again, I never imagined having to share him with a baby that isn’t mine, but if it’s part of him I know I would love it, no doubt in my mind.
Forever in my Heart: Book 3 in My Heart Series Page 10