Unmistakable: Razor's Edge - Book Two

by Andrea Hurtt

  Her heart rose in her throat. She didn’t want to lose this baby. She forced herself to calm down. Panicking wouldn’t help.

  Diane, Blaze’s mother came running out of the house.

  “Where is Grace? Hope’s bleeding!”

  The panic in his voice caused hers to triple.

  Diane got right in front of her, glancing at the blood before lifting Hope’s chin to see her eyes. “Sweetie. A little blood is normal. But I think a checkup would be a good idea. I’ll get Jerry. Grace and Blaze went to the hotel to do rehearsals, and said you two needed some alone time.” The older woman looked at Nick. “I was under the impression from my son, this was going to be a happy reunion. All I heard was very upset voices. I don’t think they would’ve left if they knew you two would fight. Let’s go to the hospital. I’ll meet you out front.”

  Nick was still holding Hope tight, trying to help her walk to the gate on the side of the house.

  He continued to hold on to some part of her as Jerry drove the four of them to the nearby hospital.

  “I’ve left three messages for Blaze. I’m sure we’ll hear from them soon,” Diane said over her shoulder to them.

  Hope was too worried about her baby. She couldn’t believe Nick was beside her, crooning in her ear.

  “Honey, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I was just so stunned by when you said—”

  “It’s yours,” she said. “Little Bean is yours.”

  “I know. I don’t doubt that.”

  She searched his face to see if he meant it.

  The intense depth of his blue eyes, the red rim around them, told her he did.

  They pulled into the Emergency Department and Nick was out of the car before Jerry had come to a complete stop.

  He ran through the double doors and was back with a nurse and a wheelchair by the time Hope was getting out of the car.

  Diane stood beside her, holding her hand to help her into the wheelchair.

  “Should we come with you,” Diane asked, worry finally lacing her voice.

  She thought about it for a heartbeat.

  “I’d rather go alone. Please.” Hope glanced briefly at everyone, lingering a moment longer on Nick.

  He needs time to think and process this. Without me.

  “It’s okay,” the nurse said as she wheeled Hope through the doors, “I’ll take good care of them and get back to you soon.”

  Nick paced the waiting room, becoming more impatient by the second. His best friend and his fiancée had finally gotten the message.

  Now the entire band was sitting with him, waiting to hear what was happening with his unborn child and the woman he loved.

  The nurse that’d taken Hope back, opened the main door, looked right at Nick, and smiled before waving for him to follow her.

  Grace jumped up from her seat, but the nurse held up one hand.

  “I’m sorry, only one at a time, and Dad goes first.”

  Grace nodded and sat, taking Blaze’s hand.

  “I’ll be back with an update for the rest of you soon,” she said, then led Nick through the secure door.

  “Looks like you have a strong support system out there. She’s lucky to have you all.”

  Nick glanced at her, then studied her.

  She was about his age, maybe a few years older. She showed no signs of knowing who he, or who his ‘support system’ was.

  It was on the tip of his tongue to say something when they arrived at a room on the left.

  “She’s resting, so try not to wake her.”

  “Thank you,” he said, slipping quietly into the room.

  Hope was lying in a propped up hospital bed. Her head was angled to the side as she slept.

  He stood next to the bed, mapping her face with his eyes. He took her left hand in his and ran the other through his hair.

  Hope’s eyes fluttered open. “Nick?”

  “Shh,” he said. “The nurse says you need to rest.”

  A tear slid down her cheek, and he wiped it away.

  “I was so scared,” she said, her voice wavering.

  “It’s gonna be okay.”

  There was a soft knock on the door and the doctor stepped in. “Hi, the nurse told me you were here. My name is Dr. Royster.” He went to the opposite side of the bed from where Nick stood. “How are you feeling, Hope?”

  “Weak,” she breathed.

  The doctor looked up at Nick.

  “Has she filled you in about her condition?”

  Nick shook his head and glanced at Hope for an explanation, his heart in his throat.

  When she said nothing, he shifted his gaze back to the doctor, trying to blink away tears, but they slid down his cheek.

  “I think it was brought on by stress, and too much physical activity. I recommend bed rest and that she sees her regular doctor as soon as she gets home.”

  “And the baby?” Nick asked, swiping a stray tear away.

  “The baby’s fine. A little bleeding isn’t abnormal," the doctor said.

  “How long do I have to stay here?” Hope asked. “I have a wedding tomorrow.”

  “Congratulations.” The doc looked back and forth between the two of them.

  Nick didn’t correct him, and neither did his love.

  “I think you’ll be okay to return home tonight, but if you have any more bleeding, you need to return right away,” Dr. Royster said. “Try to take it easy tomorrow. Sit as much as possible. Keep the dancing to a minimum. I hope the ceremony isn’t too long. It’s not a Catholic Mass, is it?” He chuckled but continued on. “I’ve given her a mild sedative to keep her calm. I’ll have a prescription sent to the pharmacy. Like I said, stay off your feet as much as you can, and no crazy honeymoon. Looks like you already did that.” He winked at Hope.

  “So she can leave now?” Nick was eager to get her out of there and finish their conversation. In a much more civil way. Plus, he needed to update his family.

  “I’ll send the team in here to get her discharged. It was nice to meet you. Take care of them.” He looked right at Nick.

  “I love them more than my own life, sir.”

  The doctor slipped away, leaving them alone for a moment.

  Nick didn’t waste a moment. He grabbed her hand, kissing the palm, then each tip. “I lost you once, and it almost killed me.”

  Hope laughed. “I beg to differ. I could feel your new and improved six-pack when you were holding me. I’d say you’re more alive than ever.”

  If she wanted to be light-hearted, he could do that. He lifted the edge of his navy-blue T-shirt, showing her what she’d commented on. “I needed an outlet, something to throw my built-up tension at. I worked out. A lot. I hope it’s okay.”

  Her eyes turned hungry, like she could eat him for dinner.

  His balls tightened. He cleared his throat so he wouldn’t get swept into arousal. “Hope, I won’t lose you again. I thought you didn’t want me. Who would want to be with a man that couldn’t be there? I wasn’t there for Chuck, and he broke. He almost killed Grace. I have to live with that guilt for the rest of my life. I know my life is crazy, and it’s scary. But I think we have something worth fighting for. Even if we didn’t have a little something tying us together.”

  Hope reached for his hand, pulling it to her belly without saying a word.

  Nick felt a fluttering beneath his fingers. “We’re going to be parents.” He was unable to hold back his smile.

  “Are you mad at me?” she whispered. Her voice was full of worry, and she wouldn’t look at him.

  “Why would I be mad at you?”

  “Well, you’re a famous popstar, and I thought you’d think I did it on purpose. Then I didn’t tell you…”

  “I’m pretty sure it took two of us to make this little one.” Nick caressed her belly. Wonder washed over him as his child moved again, as if responding to his touch. His heart skipped. His eyes watered. “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get here. I got so wrapped up in what I thought you
thought, I never thought to actually reach out and find out the truth. I hope you can forgive me.” He searched her hazel eyes for answers.

  She crooked her finger, urging him in close.

  Nick burned for what she was offering but was afraid to take it. He leaned in close, letting her make the first move.

  She slipped her hands into his hair, wrapping her fingers around the long strands, giving her the access to pull him closer. Hope kissed him softly.

  Once, twice.

  She released him, letting him sit back down before she spoke. “I’ve wanted this so badly, to know I’m not alone. To know that this little one will grow up knowing it will depend on both parents.” Hope placed her hand over his that still rested on her belly.

  “I love you, Hope.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Finding out he was going to be a father was one thing, feeling his child move had brought him to tears, but hearing those special words slip from her cherry lips was his undoing.

  Chapter 29

  “I refuse to sit in a chair for the ceremony!” Hope yelled at Nick. “I’m fine to stand. It will only be about twenty minutes. If I get tired, I’ll let you know and you can get me a chair. Fair?”

  He was only trying to help, but she was getting frustrated.

  After getting home from the hospital, Grace had threatened to cancel her wedding until after the baby was born to make sure Hope was safe.

  All the boys in the band were on her like stink on shit.

  No one would let her do anything.

  Hope had put them all in their place before retreating to bed.

  Nick had gotten a bit of a laugh when they’d finally retired for the night. Apparently, Blaze had told him he was sleeping in the southwest room; AKA the room she was already settled in.

  He’d planned all along things would work out.

  The guy had been beaming with satisfaction.

  “Fine,” Nick agreed to her stipulations. “But you will sit for the receiving line.”

  “Seriously?”

  “You argue, you don’t go. I’m not losing either of you ever again.”

  He’d said something of that nature more than once in the night.

  “I can’t believe I missed all this.” His left hand rested on her belly while they spooned in bed. “Just because I was too egotistical to admit I might’ve been wrong. This whole time I thought it was you that didn’t want me, and you thought I didn’t want you? We really need to work on this whole communication thing.”

  “If we’re gonna work on that, I’ll start. I’m communicating to you that your bulging erection is pressing into the small of my back and making my hormones go crazy. The doc said no sex, but you’re making me want to break my word to him.”

  Nick had chuckled, and the sound was music in her ears. “I’ll communicate next.” His hand slid up to cup her breast. “I thought your boobs were hot before, but damn. You got smacked by the titty fairy, didn’t you? I can’t wait to see them naked, again.”

  “Not tonight. I need sleep. Tomorrow is gonna be a long day.” Hope had been glad they weren’t facing each other, because she couldn’t help her smile of self-satisfaction. Nick was hotter than when they’d been together before, but so was she. Even with a huge belly.

  Now they were about to watch their two best friends get married.

  Nick had finally given in and allowed Hope to stand for the service.

  Off to the side, where the crowd couldn’t see them, she waited with Grace, in her breathtakingly beautiful Vera Wang gown. Her best friend carried a bouquet of peonies, daisies, and gardenias.

  Grace’s father had died when she was a teen. The man that had played her father on stage, in the musical that changed her life forever,was John. He was honored to walk her down the isle.

  “Here we go,” Thomas said, kissing Grace’s cheek before leading the way.

  Hope was the only bridesmaid, but Blaze had four groomsmen; the boys in the band. Thomas, followed by Scott, then Dwaine, began the procession.

  Nick stepped up to Hope, offering her the crook of his arm. “Damn. Have I told you how stunning you look in red?”

  “Not yet,”

  “Well, you do. And, this could be us; you know.”

  She cocked her head, eyeing him up and down. Her words dissolved as she took him in.

  His black Armani tux fit like a glove, bringing her back to the first time she’d ever seen him, walking toward her, wearing a suit much like the one he had now, and a mask.

  She’d had no idea who was behind it; not really. It’d taken six months to see the man behind the mask.

  Hope loved him.

  She was still pissed at him for not calling or texting. But deep in her heart, she’d loved him from the beginning, despite it all.

  His words finally hit her. “What do you mean, this could be us?”

  Nick didn’t get to answer.

  The music had shifted, and he walked her out.

  When they were a few feet down the aisle, the crowd gasped signaling that Grace had come around the hedge.

  Thomas had explained that morning at the wedding party breakfast, sans one bride and groom, that he’d brought in his childhood priest.

  The man had baptized both him and Scott—they were cousins—and the man had counseled every one of them at some point in the band’s career.

  One look at him told Hope the man knew Blaze. The pure joy was written on the priest’s face.

  She held tight to her bestie’s bouquet while Grace held tight to Blaze’s hands and they recited their vows.

  Hope wiped at a tear that slipped down her cheek. She made the mistake of glancing at Nick. Her heart just about exploded.

  He was wiping at a tear of his own. His eyes shone brightly.

  She could feel his happiness. She hoped it was for more reasons than his buddy getting hitched.

  Could part of that happiness be for me and Little Bean?

  Everyone was dabbing at tears by the time the service was over.

  Nick was true to his word, and made Hope sit in a chair for the receiving line. He’d procured her a barstool with a back that put her at the same height she’s been if standing.

  One by one people came through the line, giving the couple their congratulations.

  A few faces she recognized, but most she did not.

  Occasionally, Nick leaned over and whispered a name and how they knew them.

  There were many people in the entertainment industry.

  One face she recognized immediately, although they’d never met.

  Eddie, the bad boy from Next Step, the band Razor’s Edge was touring with, stepped up to them, greeting the other groomsmen. “So, Nick my boy, this must be the one that broke your heart,” he said in his incredibly sexy baritone voice

  “Excuse me?” they asked in unison, looking at each other, then back at Eddie.

  “You didn’t seriously think you hid that from us, did you?”

  Hope didn’t see Nick’s face, but the laugh coming from Eddie said everything.

  “Ah, shit, man! Really? You might have had the crowd fooled, but not your friends.” He extended his hand to her. “I’m Eddie Wilson, but you probably know that.”

  Heat flushed her cheeks.

  “Eddie!” Blaze called from the other side of Grace, who was standing right next to Hope. “Come here, bro! Meet my wife!”

  The bad boy’s attention was pulled away from Hope, and none too soon.

  The man screamed sex in everything about him.

  Her little bean moved, bringing her attention away from Eddie.

  Hope put her hand on her left side, where the kick had been.

  Nick must’ve seen the movement because his hand quickly went over hers.

  This caused the next few guests to make comments, congratulating them, as well as the newlyweds.

  “I didn’t know you were expecting, Nick,” the eldest member of Next Step said, coming up to them. He reached out a hand
to Hope. “Hi, darling. I’m Raleigh, this is my husband Harvey. It’s so nice to meet you! When are you due? Looks like while we are still on tour, I’m guessing.”

  Nick looked at her before replying. “May. We’re due in May.”

  “Do you know what you’re having?” Harvey asked.

  “A baby,” Nick said.

  “I’d hope so,” Raleigh teased.

  “I didn’t want to find out the baby’s sex until they are born. So we all have to wait and find out together,” Hope said.

  “How sweet! Well, this little one will have plenty of uncles to look after him or her. We’ve only got one baby in Next Step. William’s daughter. But she hasn’t been a baby since I was still in the closet.”

  Nick, Raleigh, and Harvey laughed at the joke, but it only confused Hope. “I’m sorry, I don’t…” She didn't get to finish.

  “His daughter is almost fifteen, and William’s date today. I’m sure you will meet her soon.”

  They moved on to the bride and groom and the line continued on.

  It felt like hours before the last person passed through the line.

  Nick let out a sigh of relief. He was so ready to be done with the meet and greet and get on to better things.

  “Party time!” Thomas clapped his hands together with glee.

  “Not yet,” Blaze interjected. “Gracie says we have group photos next.”

  The entire group let out a groan.

  “It won’t take long, guys. I’m a professional. We’ll get these done in no time,” the blushing bride said.

  He knew better than to point out, they all were professionals, known for their fast and easy photoshoots.

  “Let’s get all the stuff with Hope in it first, so she can head inside,” Grace continued, pointing to where she wanted some photos.

  Nick understood she was only looking out for the wellbeing of her best friend, but Hope looked irritated. He’d already learned she didn’t like to be treated differently.

  She was a strong woman who would push past anything.

  Even if it killed her.

  They took a few shots of the entire wedding party, in a nice and appropriate fashion.

  Then Blaze swept Grace into his arms; Nick grabbed Hope, bending her over to kiss the hell out of her.