“It’s not that I think your family is bad. I just can’t be part of the business. I saw the junkie side growing up and I need to be away from that shit.”
“I get it. Aaron is my best friend and like a brother, but he didn’t want to be part of the club. The life doesn’t interest him. No harm in feeling that way.”
“I do love Bailey, so I’ll think about the job with Dylan.”
“Good. I care about Ellsberg and don’t want the kids having a brain damaged teacher.”
“Asshole.”
Cooper grinned. “Take a break from all this shit and go see my sister. Life is too short to be frowning all the time.”
Opening my mouth to say something, I decided to let it go. My enemy wasn’t my friend, but he had my back as long as I took good care of his sister. I intended to do just that.
Chapter Twenty Nine ~ Bailey
Ready for her baby shower, Lark waddled out of the bedroom in a polka dotted maternity dress slash muumuu. She wore no shoes because her bloated feet wouldn’t fit in anything except flip flops. Of course, she couldn’t see her feet enough to slip on her shoes anyway.
Following her sister out of the bedroom, Raven looked winded. “I think I pulled something shoving your ass into that dress.”
Lark settled onto the couch and placed the TV remote on her bump. Once she was comfortable, she double gunned the middle fingers for her laughing sister.
“You look ravishing,” I said. “Like a sex kitten flower with a hint of angel around the face.”
Lark grinned. “You’re doing your fake nice thing again. Aww, thanks.”
“You’re welcome. You deserve it.”
Lark glared at Raven. “Why can’t you be more like Bailey?”
“I didn’t fuck away my personality when I got a man. Apparently, Bailey did.”
“Allow me to translate,” I said, sitting on the coffee table and rubbing Lark’s belly. “Love suits me better than it does Raven. She remained a grumpy hag while I blossomed into a Candyland of joy, rainbows, and other happy crap.”
While Lark laughed, Raven rolled her eyes while no doubt terribly jealous of my happiness. I remembered hating her something fierce when she and Vaughn hooked up. Hell, I resented everyone who found what I didn’t have. Now, I had Nick which seriously cut down my hate list.
“Is Nick still fighting?” Lark asked, patting the hand on her stomach.
“Yes, for now. He’s not ready to stop being Dragon.”
“He’s living at your apartment though.”
“Not technically. He still goes back to his apartment every day, but never stays long. I’ve offered for him to move into my place or get a new one together. He’s not ready though and pushing Nick makes him close himself off from me.”
As Lark studied me, I felt insecure under her gaze, thinking she was judging me and Nick. Of course, Lark wasn’t a judgmental type, but things came easily between her and Aaron. When Lark reached for Aaron last spring, he was fully willing to embrace her. Though my touch comforted him, Nick still squirmed away when I held him too tightly.
“Typical guy,” Lark said, giving me a smile. “They want you, but commitment makes them wet their pants. The important thing is he makes you happy and you’ve never smiled more than since you two hooked up.”
I hugged Lark gently. “This is why I like you more than Raven.”
Heading to the door, Raven snorted. “Kiss ass.”
Lark and I grinned then I returned to rubbing her belly. “I feel bad that you’re trapped in the house all the time. I promise when you pop out these rugrats that I’ll take you out and party. Let Aaron deal with them. It’s his fault you got pregnant with twins even though you were on birth control. Him and those Thor sperm.”
Lark laughed again while rubbing her bouncing belly. “I’m really nervous as the due date gets closer. Mostly, I’m nervous I won’t make my due date and the babies will be born too early. I’m not really so nervous about taking care of them. I figure they’ll be easier to deal with once they’re born.”
“Maddy and the Smith sisters are here and they brought food,” Raven announced. “Lots of food.”
Soon, a plate full of barbecue and the fixings rested on Lark’s belly as we enjoyed lunch.
“We’ll do a real big baby shower once the babies are here and you can get out of the house,” Tawny said. “The whole roller derby crew will come. A few chicks from Denny’s plus Jade. I’ve got it all planned out.”
Even smiling, Lark already looked worn out.
“I hope I never have twins,” I mumbled.
Raven snorted. “We all hope that for you, Bailey.”
“Well, I’m totally wishing them on you.”
Rolling her eyes, Raven ate the spicy ribs. “I could handle it. Lark and I are made of tougher stuff than you sissy Johanssons.”
“You’ve been pushing,” I said, standing up and showing her my barbecue covered fingers. “Someone clearly wants an ass whipping.”
Raven set down her food and revealed her sticky fingers. “Let’s do this thing.”
“Take it outside,” Lark cried. “I don’t want my house dirty.”