Spike’s Perdition (Saints Purgatory MC #7)

19. Ivory

CHAPTER 19

IVORY

“Have no fear, the Italian food is here!”

My stomach rumbles with Eric’s announcement as he stomps into the house with Megan on his heels. I need my friends tonight after my encounter with Aubrey at Dr. Wilde’s office. I haven’t stopped shaking since I left the parking lot. When I got home, I called Megan to come over, and she called Eric, who in turn called me, asking what I wanted for dinner. I didn’t think I’d be able to eat, but if the gurgles in my stomach at the smell of garlic is any indication, I definitely can.

“Gimme, gimme, gimme,” I chant while trying to grab the bags.

Eric swats my hands. “Get back you heathen.”

“At least let us get it unpacked,” Megan chastises.

I stick my bottom lip out, and my chin wobbles of its own accord. “But the baby is hungry now.”

“Oh, dear lord, make it stop,” Eric says dramatically, handing me a bag. “Here, now, put the lip away.”

Thank you hormones.

I smirk and take a seat at the table. Opening the container, I find a huge portion of baked ziti.

Megan hands me a napkin. “You have a little bit of drool right there.”

“I do not,” I pout, taking the napkin anyway.

“Yes, you do,” Eric agrees, opening his container. “You look like a starved little puppy that hasn’t eaten all day.”

Megan laughs, and I scowl at both of them. This is what I needed tonight. A distraction from the shitshow that has become my life. I still don’t know how I got myself into this situation.

You decided to be wild and have a one-night stand with a sexy biker.

After a few bites, the pasta settles like a lead balloon in the pit of my stomach. I move the food around in the container but can’t take another bite, so I push away from the table and go into the kitchen. I grab a bottle of wine, a couple of glasses, and a ginger ale.

The fork Megan’s holding hovers in front of her mouth when she sees what I’m doing. “Uh oh, what happened?”

“Nothing,” I dismiss, uncorking the wine.

“Bullshit, heifer,” Eric scolds. “Don’t think we didn’t notice that you only took a few bites before you stopped eating.”

“You sounded off when you called me earlier asking me to come over,” Megan adds. “Why do you think I asked Eric to come over too?”

“I figured Eric wanted to see me and the basketball I’m growing.” I hand them each a glass of wine before settling back in my chair with my ginger ale.

Eric shakes his head. “You know I’m always up for seeing my girlies. And by the way, you’re rocking the shit out of the ‘bun in the oven’ look.”

I spit my drink across the table. “Are you serious right now? Bun in the oven?”

“It’s better than harboring a future fugitive.” Eric holds up his hands in surrender when Megan glares at him. “What? Too soon?”

I laugh humorlessly. “You’re not too far off.” Tears well in my eyes, and I don’t even try to fight them.

“Whoa, Ivory. I-I-I’m sorry,” Eric stammers. “I was joking. I didn’t mean anything by it. You know my big mouth can’t help what comes out of it.” Megan opens her mouth to speak, but Eric cuts her off. “I heard it when I said it, heifer.”

A giggle escapes before I can stop myself. Hormones are a bitch, I don’t care what anyone says.

“I’m okay.” I sigh. “My emotions are all over the place. I’m sorry for overreacting.”

“No, I was a dick,” Eric says. “I’m sorry. Forgive me?”

He drops to one knee and presents me with a giant chunk of garlic bread.

“My hero!” I yell and snatch the carby goodness from him.

He stands and side hugs me before returning to his chair.

“How’d your appointment with Dr. Wilde go?” Megan asks casually.

Chills wrack my body as the memory from today’s conversation about the baby slams into me. For a brief moment, I let myself forget.

How could I do that? What kind of mother am I going to be?

Eric grabs my hand and squeezes. “The best damn mother ever.”

“Did I say that out loud?” I ask, and they both nod. “Great, I can’t even keep my thoughts in my head.”

“Ivory, what’s going on?” Megan furrows her brows.

I spill my guts and tell them everything that’s going on with the baby.

“You know me and Megan will be there for anything you need,” Eric assures. “You won’t be alone, and I’m sure the baby will be fine.”

“It’s a boy,” I purr.

“A boy?” they both shout in unison.

“Eek!” Megan squeals.

Eric stands and starts doing the Floss. “I’m gonna be the greatest uncle in history. That boy’ll know how to dress to impress.”

“There’s more,” I announce. “I don’t know what to do.”

Megan tugs me over to the couch, and Eric pops a squat on the floor in front of us. “We’re here to help. Tell us,” she encourages.

I wrap my arms around my tummy and rock slightly. “I ran into Aubrey.”

“Who’s Aubrey?” Eric asks, confused.

I realize I never told them what I found out at my initial prenatal appointment. I explain who Aubrey is and the first conversation we had.

“No fucking way!” Megan snaps. “He had a woman at home and then had the audacity to sleep with you? And now you’re both knocked up?”

“Yep,” I say, popping the ‘p.’ “That’s not all, though. After I found out that the baby has to have surgery, I decided I can’t keep this secret from Spike. No matter how much I despise him, he has a right to know. If Spike still doesn’t want anything to do with us, then that’s on him.”

“Exactly,” Eric agrees.

“I’m sensing a but coming,” Megan hedges.

“You’d be right,” I confirm. “I wanted to be honest and not have it look like I’m creeping behind Aubrey’s back.” I take a deep breath before continuing. “I asked her to meet me outside as I was leaving. I told her what Dr. Wilde said and emphasized that I don’t want Spike in any way, shape, or form. But he does have a right to know what’s happening with his son. She went ballistic. Basically, she thinks that I’m a homewrecker and that I can’t prove the baby is Spike’s.”

“Yes, you ca?—”

“No, I can’t. Not without a paternity test,” I tell them. “Aubrey’s right. It’s her word against mine. She also said that the club takes lying very seriously, and that if I pursue this, I’ll end up dead before I even give birth.

Both Megan and Eric flinch, but neither of them speaks for a few minutes.

Eric breaks the silence first. “I don’t believe that for one goddamn minute. I’ve been to Purgatory without you all and have seen firsthand what happens. Not once have I seen one of them step out when their lady wasn’t around. And believe me, many women try to get in their pants.”

“Maybe Spike meets his side pieces discreetly,” I counter.

“Nope,” Eric argues. “RaRa and I talked about it. He told me that they’d rather cut out their own heart and have their dicks ripped off than hurt their old ladies. I didn’t want to say anything because I know you have strong feelings about not telling Spike, but I’ve never seen him with anyone at the bar. All the other old ladies are always there with their men, but Spike… He’s always alone.”

“Ivory,” Megan says softly. “It’s possible that Aubrey is lying to keep you away. From what you told us, she always goes on the defense with you. If I were Aubrey, I’d drag your ass to Purgatory and make him admit to everyone what a lying, cheating asshole he is.”

“Not everyone has your decorum,” Eric teases.

“You know what I mean,” she hisses. “He drove over here that day to talk to you, and he pleaded for you to hear him out. Does that sound like a man who wouldn’t care about his unborn son?”

“Jokes aside, I agree with Megan. You need to talk to him,” Eric encourages. “We can be there with you if you want. You don’t have to face him alone.”

Now that Megan’s pointed that out, it does seem unlikely, but it doesn’t ward off the fear.

“I’ll think about it.” I lie.

Megan and Eric help me clean up the mess from dinner and head out.

“Call me if you need us,” Megan demands.

“I will,” I promise.

“Don’t think I don’t know you’re lying about talking to Spike,” Eric chastises. “If I thought for one minute you and the baby would be in danger, I’d pack you up and get you the hell out of here. Something isn’t adding up, and until you talk to him, you’re never gonna know the truth, and neither will he.”

“Thanks for the food and listening.” I kiss them both on the cheek.

“We’re here for you, night or day,” Megan says, leading Eric to her car.

I give a small wave before closing the door and locking it tight. After crawling into bed, I let Eric’s words replay over and over in my head about what he’s observed at Purgatory.

Spike deserves to know. I’ll make it clear that I don’t want a relationship with him or want to interfere in his life with Aubrey, but I have to tell him. He just has a right to know he has a son, and that said son needs surgery.

I can only pray I’m making the right decision.

Time to prove what kind of man you are, Spike.