Blaze was already parked outside by the time I got there. A cigarette hanging from his mouth, shades covering his eyes.
This was an exciting time for us. I just wished we were on better terms. I knew this was a sensitive subject for him after losing his son.
Grabbing my bag, I got out of my car and started walking towards him. I hated how I felt around him right now.
“You alright darling?”.
“I hate you right now”. I whispered. “I hate how you’re making me feel”…. Like I said my emotions were running high. I didn’t know if I wanted to punch him or kiss him. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“I’ll make it right sweets I promise”. As he went to take my hand I pulled it back. I could already feel myself becoming upset.
“Let’s just go inside. I need to get some water”. Not waiting for him to finish his smoke I walked towards the entrance.
Reaching the front desk I smiled at Jane. “I need a favour”.
“Anything for you Dr Mendez”. She smiled.
“Is Gillian free?”. Chewing the inside of my lip I froze as he placed his hand on the lower of my back. I did nothing to remove it.
As she typed away on her computer, she picked up her phone. “Hey yes I have Dr Mendez requesting to see you, okay I will”. As she continued to type away, she smiled at me. “I’ve booked you in for 1pm. You’ve got 10 minutes to drink some water”. She winked.
“Thank you, Jane,”.
“Anytime sweetie”.
“Can you go get me some water from the shop and something sugary? I’ll meet you upstairs?”.
“Aye darling”.
Entering the maternity unit, I smiled at the ladies on the front desk as I moved to the ultrasound department. We were finally going to see our little baby. I was anxious and nervous but excited at the same time.
“You, okay?”. As he took the seat next to me, he passed me the paper bag.
“A little nervous but it’ll pass when I see our baby”. Looking inside the bag I bit back my smile. He had bought a variety of several types of candy, some chips and a few bottles of water. Opening a bottle of water, I gulped it down.
“Think he’ll be, okay?”. He asked.
Again, with the he!
“What if it’s another girl?”.
“Nah babe it’s defo a boy”. Placing his arm around my shoulder he squeezed gently. “Ava listen-….”.
“Ava, do you want to come through?”. Gillian smiled.
“Sure”. I smiled glad that she was ready for us. I still wasn’t ready to hear what he had to say. Entering the room, I gave my bag to Blaze while I hopped onto the bed.
“Baby number two”. She grinned. “Just pull your trousers under your belly”.
I did as she asked my hand automatically reaching for Blaze’s. This was a big moment for both of us. He missed out on Everleigh; I was going to make sure he was here for everything with this one.
“This will be a little cold. How far along do you think you are?”. She asked.
“Maybe 9 or 10 weeks”. I was the worst at keeping track of my period.
As she grinned, she turned the screen around. “There we go, 10 weeks and 2 days”. I felt the lump appear in the back of my throat as Blaze squeezed my hand.
“He’s right there”. He whispered.
“I’ll print a few pictures and then I’ll schedule you in again for 2 weeks’ time. As far as I can tell everything looks perfect”. Handing me a paper towel I wiped the gel from my stomach. “I’ll give you a minute”.
“He’s ours”. Bringing my hand to his mouth he placed a kiss on my knuckles. “I love you Ava and I will make this right”.
Pulling my trousers back up I got myself off the bed. There was something I had to do because he was being way too cool for my liking over this and I don’t mean the baby scan.
“I have a few things I need to get from the store. Are you still okay to pick Everleigh up?”. I asked as Gillian came back into the room.
“Okay that’s you booked in to come back and here are some scan pictures”. Blaze took them from her slipping one into the inner pocket of his cut.
“Thanks doc”. He grinned still not being able to take his eyes off the scan.
“Thanks Gillian”.
“See you soon Ava”.
“You gonna let me come home tonight?”. He asked as we made our way outside.
“Not yet”. I was proud of myself for standing my ground.
“You ever gonna put your ring back on?”.
As I reached my car I put my bag in the back. I was going to put it back on, I just didn’t know when.
“Not yet”…
“You’re fucking killing me, Ava. I can’t even remember that night”.
“So that makes it okay?”. I frowned, opening the driver’s side door.
“That’s not what I meant”. He glared.
“I have to go”. Starting my engine, I pulled out of the parking lot and drove to where I needed to go. If Blaze had cheated on me, he would be trying everything to win me over and yet he was giving me nothing.
Maybe he was too drunk to remember.
Staring up at the sign I chewed my bottom lip. I had no idea if this was a good idea or not. It was early but I knew the dancers would be here practicing for tonight. Dialing Ally’s number, I put my phone to my ear. She would tell me if I was crazy or not.
“I’m mad at you?”. She groaned. “You’ve left me with idiots again”.
“You’ll never guess where I am”. I laughed.
“Oh god”. She sighed. “What have you done?”.
“I’m outside private eyes”….
“Why are you… oh- OH”. She laughed. “And you didn’t think to invite me?”.
“Spur of the moment. Something feels off about this whole thing. He’s acting-…”
“As if he’s done nothing wrong?”. She cut me off. “That’s men for you”.
“I’m serious Ally. If he had cheated, he would be begging for my forgiveness, promising me the world but he’s not. Do I sound stupid?”. I asked.
“You saying he really doesn’t know what happened that night? Like he can’t remember?”.
“Yeah”. I sighed.
“So, you going in to knock a bitch out?”. She laughed.
“I don’t know why I’m here but I’m sure I’ll find out something. I’ll keep you posted”. Ending the call, I grabbed my sunglasses from my glovebox.
Would he go nuts because I was here? Probably but I was past caring what he thought right now. Locking my car I approached the building. I could hear the music, so I knew people were inside.
Pulling open the thick wooden door, I walked my way down the dark hallway. I was praying Cookie was here. Pushing the main door open, I walked further inside. There weren’t many people around and that girl from the other night was nowhere to be seen.
“Auditions are held at 4 sweetheart. Come back in an hour and wear better shoes”. He smirked staring at my slippers.
“Excuse me?”. Removing my sunglasses I looked into the eyes of the huge man standing in front of me. Blaze really was upping his staff.
“You’re a dancer, right?”.
“No, she’s not a dancer Buck”. Cookie grinned at me. “This here is Blazes old lady”.
“It’s good to see you”. I smiled.
“Shit I didn’t-…. I’m new”. Scratching the back of his head he gave Cookie a nod before disappearing.
“You too mama”. She winked. “Come with me”. Taking a hold of my hand she led me through to the back area.
“I don’t even know why I’m here”. I sighed, taking a seat on one of the couches.
“He in the doghouse?”. She asked, handing me a bottle of water.
“Did you happen to see him last Friday?”. I asked opening the water and taking a sip. I was starting to feel a little hot.
“That little bitch”. She hissed. “Let me guess, Jamie?”.
“She showed up at my dad’s clubhouse”.
“She’s only been here a few weeks. The night Blaze and Jared came in she bet the other girls that she could dance for him”.
“So, it’s true”. My stomach dropped.
“No”. She made a face. “Don’t get me wrong she tried her hardest, but Blaze wasn’t interested. I mean why would he be?”. She winked. “He was wasted, the worst I’ve ever seen him but all he kept going on about was you”.
My full body relaxed; it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. “He thinks she danced for him”. Sighing, I ran a hand over my face. I’ve been distant with him for no reason. I kicked him out of the house for no reason. How could he have gotten that drunk that he didn’t remember?
“That’s probably what she told him. She’s found out about you and thought she could use it against him. He hasn’t been in for me to tell him”.
“So, he’s done nothing wrong”. I said more to myself. “Why are girls like that”. I huffed. I maybe should have trusted him a little more but to be fair he didn’t deny it.
“They only see the biker and think they’re all the same. I’m team Ava always”. She grinned. “If he did anything when I was here, you’d be the first to know”.
“Thank you”. Getting to my feet she matched my movements. “Guess I have some making up to do”.
“Don’t be a stranger Ava”.
“I’ll see you in about 9 months”. I grinned.