Utah (Knights Corruption MC: Laredo #4)

Chapter 2

2

“Are you feeling all right?”

Lost to thoughts of Utah and where he disappeared to consumed me, so much so, I hadn’t heard Will’s initial question. It wasn’t until he waved his hand in front of my face that I snapped out of my trancelike state.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?”

He brushed his hair off his face, the dark brown strands falling back into place seconds later. “I asked if you’re feeling okay. You’ve been rubbing your stomach nonstop. Is something wrong?”

Rubbing my belly had become second nature these days, a calming habit.

“I’m fine. Just thinking,” I responded.

“About?”

“Nothing in particular.” I flashed him a grateful smile for his concern, praying he didn’t persist.

Will was sweet and had helped me on several occasions by taking shifts for me when I hadn’t felt well. But I didn’t want to get into everything that plagued me, especially when my thoughts confused me more than made sense these days .

There were times I’d catch him watching me when he thought I hadn’t noticed, making me think perhaps he liked me, but he never flirted or said anything inappropriate.

Utah, however, often told me he believed Will was interested in me. The topic of my coworker rubbed him the wrong way, but instead of assuaging his concerns, I simply told him he was crazy. A response he didn’t care for, which was always evident in the scowl on his face.

“Have you heard from Utah yet?” Lena asked, reaching around me to grab a mug. I’d told her all about how he’d begged me to let him come to the ultrasound appointment but then never showed up.

“Not yet. I called my brother last night to see if he could get in touch with him, but so far nothing.”

Lena and I had become fast friends after I started working at Rocky’s. To judge her by her appearance was a mistake. With her perfectly coiffed, bobbed brunette hairstyle, she had the look of someone who should wear pearls and be vacationing on a yacht somewhere. But her spitfire personality pushed against that notion. She never held her tongue when it came to the patrons, which was often a source of amusement.

“Maybe he’s ghosting you.”

“He wouldn’t do that,” I responded. “Besides, he can’t really ghost me. We’re having a baby together. And he’s in the same club as Knox. It’s not like he can just disappear.”

“Looks like he did.”

“Can you not put thoughts like that in my head?”

“Sorry.” She handed a customer a beer, swiping the money he put on the counter. After she gave him his change, she leaned against the bar and placed her hand on my arm. “I just want you to be realistic. From what you’ve told me, he doesn’t seem like the commitment type.”

“He’s not, but neither am I. He still wouldn’t just not show up to the appointment. At the very least he would’ve texted me to tell me he wasn’t coming.”

“If you say so.”

Debating this with her in front of Will and three male customers was the last thing I wanted to do, so I quickly changed the subject.

“Is that a new tattoo?” I pointed to the red rose surrounded by thorns on her left forearm.

“I just got it last week. It completes my sleeve.”

I didn’t have any ink, and I didn’t want any for myself, but I could appreciate an intricate work of art. Lord knew I loved looking at Utah’s entire body, which was covered in tattoos. One of his favorites was his club’s emblem which was wrapped around his left shoulder.

“I like it.”

“When are you gonna get one?” She flung a bar towel over her shoulder after wiping down the surface in front of us.

Lena’s arms, chest, and right thigh were covered in beautiful artwork, and she was always trying to convince me to get a tattoo. She said virgin skin was the best canvas.

“It’s not for me.”

“I think you’d love it.”

“We’ll agree to disagree.”

The vibration of my phone pulled my focus. But when I checked the screen, there was a text from my mom asking if I was coming to dinner tomorrow night. After I replied with a yes, I shoved the device back into my pocket, disappointed I was still waiting for Knox to get back to me.

I caught Lena looking at me, and I answered her question before she asked it with a simple shake of my head.

The rest of my shift passed in a blur, the ache in my feet intensifying the longer I stood.

“I’m taking off now,” I shouted to Will across the bar, the noise from the patrons borderline deafening. He managed a wave before his attention was stolen by a group of rowdy guys. Lena had left an hour prior, making me promise to give her an update on Utah as soon as I heard anything.

I checked my phone again as I walked to my car, but still there was no text message or voicemail from Utah or Knox. Once seated behind the wheel, I placed a call to my brother, but he never picked up. It was out of character for Knox to ignore me for so long, which only amplified the dread swirling through me. On top of everything else, Utah had told me there were situations going on with the club he couldn’t discuss, but he wanted me to let him know if anyone strange approached me or if I noticed anyone following me. Not that it would do any good because he wasn’t taking my calls or answering my texts.

The moment I walked through the front door to the house I shared with Evie, I released a heavy breath. Rampant thoughts of Utah barreled in yet again but were cut short when my sister’s sudden appearance startled me.

“How was work?” she asked, laughing when she saw me jerk.

“You love scaring me, don’t you?”

“It’s easy. And fun.” A pause in our conversation ensued before she repeated her initial question. “So… how was work?”

“Fine. My feet are killing me, though.”

I kicked off my shoes, tossed my purse on a nearby table, and flopped down on the couch. Evie sat next to me.

“How much longer do you think you’ll be able to work? You know—” She motioned to my belly. “—you’re only going to get bigger.”

“Really?” I asked sarcastically. “Because I never thought of that.” She stuck her tongue out at me, much like she did when we were kids. “I don’t know what’s going to happen because I can’t just stop working. I need the money.”

“What about Utah? Won’t he help? ”

“He says he will, but I’m not sure how much I can count on him. He didn’t even show up for the ultrasound yesterday.”

While I was upset he didn’t come to the doctor’s appointment, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he had a valid excuse. Now, if he’d only call me back to tell me, I’d stop worrying whether I could rely on him or not.

“You still haven’t heard from him?” She tucked a strand of her copper hair behind her ear. I had to give it to my sister, she wasn’t afraid of switching things up, her hair shade often changing. For now, the red color suited her well, a perfect complement to her bright green eyes. “He’s never ghosted you before, has he?”

“No. But it’s exactly what Lena thinks he’s doing. I don’t think that’s what it is, though. Something is going on, but I’m not sure what. I asked Knox to get in touch with him, but I haven’t heard back from him either.”

She patted my leg. “Don’t worry. I’m sure there is a logical explanation.” She tucked her leg beneath her and angled her body toward me. “What happened at the ultrasound? Do you know the sex? Please let it be a girl so I can dress her up.” I opened my mouth to speak, but she kept talking. “I’ll take a boy too. I can buy him the cutest outfits.” Evie clapped her hands. “I’m good either way. Which one is it?”

“I’m not ready to find out yet.”

“Is that because you’re still not sure you’re going to keep it?” she asked, her brows pinching together.

A couple weeks ago, when Knox came by the bar to talk to me, I’d blurted that I wasn’t sure I was having the baby. I’d also discussed my dilemma with Evie. There wasn’t much I didn’t tell her since she was not only my sister, separated by only fifteen months, but also my best friend. But after hearing my child’s heartbeat, my decision was made to keep him or her. I’d leaned toward this decision before the appointment, but the thundering sound that filled the doctor’s office solidified it for me.

“I’m keeping it.”

I barely released the last word before she bounced on the couch in excitement, the biggest smile I’d ever seen adorning her beautiful face.

“Oh my God, Ria. I’m so happy for you. You’ll see, it’ll be the best decision of your life. You have so many people ready to help you, me being first on the list.”

“I hope you’re this excited when you have one of your own.”

“Oh, no way. Never. No kids for me. Which is why I’m so happy you’re having one. You can do all the hard work, and I’ll reap the benefits by being the cool aunt, spoiling my niece or nephew.”

“Never say never. I didn’t think I’d ever have kids, but here we are.”

She didn’t have a rebuttal. Instead, she chattered on about baby names and gender reveal parties. Honestly, I checked out when she started talking about making sure I did my research on which preschool to enroll my child in. I was only nine weeks along. I couldn’t think that far ahead. But Evie was a planner by nature—an attribute that would come in handy for sure.