“Or Lindi and Dale. I still can’t believe he agreed to be Santa Claus. The last few years he didn’t even show up.” Clotille brought a glass of orange juice to her lips.
“It’s probably a cousin or something. I just don’t want to beat the shit out of someone he’s related to because that’s what I’m aiming to do to the Christiansen who keeps calling Throttle.”
The women laughed, but Belle was a hundred percent sure Kimber wouldn’t hesitate to do it.
“The name’s sort of common. Maybe there’s no relation at all,” said Cherri.
“Talk about wanting to beat the crap out of someone, Chas’s mean-as-hell ex is back in town,” Addie said.
Kimber shook her head. “Fuck.”
“Are you serious?” Belle said.
“That fucking sucks,” Cara added.
“I’m so sorry,” Clotille said.
“She’s up to no good. Jax said she’s an awful bitch,” Cherri commented.
“And she works here, apparently. She’s a damn receptionist. I’m here all the time helping out. I can’t believe I’m going to run into her.” Addie folded her arms on her chest.
Belle went over and patted Addie’s shoulder. “Don’t you dare let this stupid woman get to you. And don’t make Chas think you question his loyalty. According to what Banger’s told me, he went through the ringer with this woman.”
“And didn’t she abandon her son?” Clotille asked.
“She did. And before that, she was awful to Jack. He’s already told me that I’m his mother forever. It was so sweet, I cried. He doesn’t want to see her, but she’s pushing it with Chas. I know she doesn’t give a shit about Jack, she just wants to get back with my husband. The fucking bitch. She’s acting like she’s a changed woman, but a leopard can’t change its spots.”
“Chas knows that. Remember, he went through hell with her. She cheated on him and everything,” Cherri said.
The door opened and Baylee came in wiping her mouth with a tissue. Belle took in her peaked appearance. “Are you feeling all right?”
Baylee shook her head. “I’m not. I went to the doctor last week, and you all were right—I’m pregnant.”
Belle hugged her. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I just knew it,” Clotille said. “There’s no mistaking morning sickness. I had it bad with Andrew and James, but it was worth it.”
“Harley was a breeze. I was surprised because I was so much older than I was when I had Emily and Ethan. I’d sort of freaked myself out that it was going to be horrible due to my age, but it was a piece of cake.” Belle brushed Baylee’s hair from her damp forehead. “How’d Axe take the news?”
Baylee gripped the table, then flopped into a chair. “Not so good. We’d decided we didn’t want kids, and now he acts like I broke that promise.”
“You broke your promise? That sounds just like a man. They can be so goddamn selfish. What a jerk. All these bikers think they’re not responsible for shit!” Cara turned away from the group and went over to the window, standing with her back to them.
Taken aback by her outburst, Belle made a mental note to speak with Cara after the other women left. She put her hand on Baylee’s. “A lot of men freak out about being a father. It just took him by surprise.”
“And me too.” Baylee took another tissue and mopped her face.
“The important thing is to stay healthy and strong for the precious baby you’re carrying. Axe will come around, but you both need to sit down and talk about it without blaming anyone.”
“I know. I’m going to go home and rest. How long does this morning sickness last? My doctor said it can be the whole pregnancy. I’m not sure I’ll survive it if it is.”
“Mine was only the first trimester, and then I felt great after that,” Clotille said.
“Same here,” Cherri replied.
“What about you, Cara?” Belle asked.
Without turning around, she shrugged.
“If you need anything at all, let me know, okay? I’ve never been pregnant, but I can do food runs for you. I know the restaurants you love.” Kimber slipped her jacket on. “I have to get back to the shop.”
“I’ll call you. We got to get you eating some healthier food than takeout every night,” Belle said.
“Right now the thought of food makes me want to barf. Thanks, everyone. I’m headed home. I’ll see you on Saturday night. I do feel better by the time evening rolls around, at least.” Baylee slung her purse over her shoulder and walked out with Kimber.
“I have to get going as well. I want to get in some Christmas shopping before I have to pick Paisley up at school. Later.” Cherri went toward the door.
“Wait up, Cherri. I’ll walk out with you.” Clotille waved at Belle. Pointing at Cara’s back, she mouthed, “What’s wrong with her?”
Belle shrugged and watched the two women leave. Closing the door, she went up to Cara. “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked softly.
“There’s nothing to talk about. I better get going. I promised my mom I’d cook dinner tonight.”
“You’re staying at your parents’? Is Hawk good with that?”
Cara whirled around, facing her. “I don’t give a damn what Hawk’s good with.” She crossed her arms. “We’re going through a rough patch.”
“Is this about the gossip Doris circulated this past Sunday? She was on the phone with me before I even took my shower. I didn’t call you because I figured you weren’t going to let her get to you.”
“Hawk didn’t come home this past Saturday night. We had a fight before he went to the club party, but he didn’t pick up any of my calls or answer my texts. The asshole didn’t even tell me he was going to crash at the club.” Cara’s voice hitched.
Belle grasped her hands, but Cara pulled them away. “Hawk not calling you was rude and inconsiderate, and I’d rake Banger over the coals if he did that to me. Banger said Hawk was really wasted. He could hardly walk. He also said that the new girl, Heather, kept trying to cozy up to him, but he pushed her away. When Hawk left to go upstairs, he was alone.”
“Doris wouldn’t make that shit up. She’s a gossip, but she doesn’t lie.”
“I’m not saying she’s lying. She probably heard some stuff going on around the club and blabbed it without finding out all the facts, or whether it was true or not. I don’t know what happened, but I know Hawk. He’s so in love with you, and he loves Isa and Braxton to death. I can’t see him throwing all that away. What has he told you about what happened?”
“We haven’t really talked about it. I was so pissed and upset. I didn’t want to have a blown-out fight in front of the kids.”
“You should’ve taken the kids to your parents’ and stayed home and talked with Hawk. I can’t believe he hasn’t stormed over and dragged you and the children back home.”
“He’s called a ton of times and texted, but I think he’s letting me cool down. Anyway, if he cheated on me, he’s out. There’s no way I can forgive him.”
“But you have to talk to him first. Cara, you can’t run to your parents when the going gets tough. Marriage is a lot of hard work, but you work through it together. You and Hawk have to figure things out on your own.”