Page 102 of Shots Fired

The one saving grace? The boys know Abbie is out of the picture, so no one expects some random chick to turn up at a bar one night, claiming to be my girlfriend. The downside? They’re all going to expect me to leave the bars with one, maybe even two girls on my arm.

Because that’s what Archer Moore does.

Even though I haven’t actually done it since last October, when I finally realized if she wasn’t Darcy, I couldn’t go through with it.

I get all the reasons why Darcy wants to wait on telling her brother and stepdad. My parents didn’t announce their pregnancies until Mom started showing. It’s a standard decision to make. I can’t lie and claim it isn’t killing me though. The thought of holding in our secret another couple of weeks and the prospect of breaking the news equally terrify me.

Not that I’d tell Darcy or anyone else that. She’s got enough spinning in her head. Whatever comes my way—whether it’s her brother’s and stepdad’s fists or congratulations—I’ll deal with it. I’ll tell them I’m in love with her. I’ll own the Abbie ruse, and I’ll take what they throw at me on the chin.

For her.

For us.

For our baby.

The other thing that’s killing me? Waiting on the gender test results. It’s been over a week, and I have plans, goddammit. I know Darcy loves to shop, and I intend to drop some serious cash on her, the baby, and getting us all set as soon as we hear what we’re having.

It’s possible she’ll want to wait until she’s twelve weeks, but this is where I’m drawing the line. It’s happening the second I get back from Dallas.

As I spoon my naked girlfriend, my palm finds her belly, and I gently run circles over her perfect skin. “You going to tell us what you are today, Pip? Daddy doesn’t want to be in Texas when the news drops.”

Darcy shifts in response to my whisper, and I move some hair to one side, exposing her neck.

When my lips find the sensitive skin underneath her ear, she stretches out like a kitten. I feel a little bad for waking her, but our time in bed is limited since she’s got to head to work, and I’ll be boarding a plane before she finishes.

I probably shouldn’t be so hung up on how many hours I get with her since I plan to spend the rest of my life by her side, but still, every second feels like a goddamn blessing.

My phone buzzes on the side table, and I reach across and grab it, opening up a message from Jack.

Jack: *shirtless picture of him working out in his home gym*

Jack: I’m sending this since Archer doesn’t bless us with his naked chest any longer.

I smirk. The kid’s got some fucking gall.

Me: I remember you and Sawyer telling me to keep it to my OnlyFans page.

Sawyer: We did, and it thankfully worked. Put it away, Jack. I just ate breakfast.

Me: You’re up early.

Sawyer: Ezra has a motocross meet, and Collins is taking him. They had to leave early.

Jack: Why don’t you send early morning workout pictures to us anymore?

Jack: Wait. Don’t answer that because I already know what’s coming—you’re too busy in bed with my sister or some shit like that. Change the record.

Sawyer: Did everyone get the amended practice schedule from Coach? He emailed it late last night.

Jesus, way to divert, Sawyer.

Another text comes through. This time, it’s directly from my captain.

Sawyer: You are in bed with her right now, aren’t you?

Darcy turns over to face me, smiling sleepily as she sets a kiss on my bare shoulder.

Me: Yes.