Page 14 of Bleed for You (Bloody Desires #6)

“ C at,” Craig said as he hugged her. “How are you feeling?”

“The morning sickness is kicking my ass, and it should be renamed to all day sickness because that’s how it’s been all week, and I’ve felt awful.

” She sat at the table in the nice Italian restaurant they had picked and looked around.

The pale cream walls with splashes of color were nice, along with the photos that adorned it.

Bright pictures of flowers drew the eye, and Craig liked them.

“They do nice salads here, so I should be okay.” She ran a hand over her stomach. “I’ll be fine.”

“I was a little concerned,” Craig admitted. He smiled when she rolled her eyes and noticed even though she looked slightly paler than normal, she did have some color to her cheeks. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

“I knew you were concerned. I could see the look on your face.” She smiled and patted the back of Craig’s hand. “Thank you for caring, and I’ll be fine. This is a normal part of pregnancy.”

“And the parents?” Cat winced, and Craig sighed. He knew they wouldn’t take it well. He wished she’d waited for him, so she didn’t have to face them alone. “Sounds like they didn’t take it well. Do you want me to go and talk to them?”

“I still haven’t told them.” She bit her lip and Craig knew what was coming and he knew he wouldn’t say no. “Will you come with me when I do?”

“Of course I will. You know I’ll be there for you. You’re having my niece or nephew. I want to spoil him or her rotten.”

“Give them all those sugary treats, then hand the baby back to me?” Cat smiled and sighed softly.

Pursing her lips, she said, “I need to be an adult about this, but they’re our parents, you know?

I don’t want to disappoint them.” She glanced down at the table and Craig squeezed her hand.

She squeezed it back and gave him a slight smile.

“You won’t disappoint them, and no matter what happens, we’ll be there for you.” If their parents turned their backs on Cat, Craig would be there to support her every step of the way.

“Let’s change the subject. You and Flint. How is he being with you? Still an idiot?”

“What do you think?” Craig shook his head.

“He’s been accessing my work remotely. HR knows about it, and I know they need to wait until they have enough evidence, but I’m tired of dealing with his shit.

It’s every day. Every single day of him trying to find the smallest fault that he can use to berate me over.

I’m not the only one he does this to, but I’m so fed up.

” Craig messed with the cutlery on the table.

“I might drop some hints to Simpson and see if they feel like picking up on them. Anything has to be better than what I’m putting up with. Surely HR has enough evidence by now?”

“Simpson prefers to work with you, so maybe they will. And neither of us knows how much evidence HR needs, plus Flint is related to the owner, so whatever evidence they have will have to be rock solid. Have they ever mentioned you working for them directly?”

Craig pulled a face. “I’m not entirely sure.

Maybe?” He shrugged. “A year or so ago, but I was happy where I was then. It was before Flint was promoted and we had a manager who knew how to do the job. Since Flint took over, the department’s been going downhill.

More of us are considering leaving.” And that didn’t surprise Craig in the least. Who wanted to stay with a company who didn’t appreciate you?

He knew some wouldn’t have the option to move and had to deal with it, but for him, he might have a chance to leave and go somewhere else.

“Surely that would show the bosses that something’s wrong if you all leave?”

“Flint’s related to one of the bosses, so more than likely not.

HR or leaving are the only options and like I said HR is doing what they can, but it takes time.

I’ll do what you said.” Craig leaned back in his chair.

“I’ll let it be known I’m looking to leave and see if I get any offers.

” The waitress appeared at the side of their table and Craig said, “Two sparkling waters, please.”

“Are you ready to order food?”

“Can we have another five minutes?” Cat asked. The waitress nodded and left their table. “You might get more money if you go to Simpson.”

“There is that too. A few more dollars in my pocket would be nice.”

“More than a few, I’d say. You’re in demand, Craig. Use it to your advantage. Besides, little bump will need lots of things when he or she arrives.”

Craig laughed as he shook his head at Cat. “I knew there was a reason.” Picking up the menu, he asked, “what do you think your stomach can handle?” He scanned the salads and asked, “Can you handle dressings?”

“A light dressing is about the most I can handle.”

“They have a couple to choose from. Chicken?”

“A couple of pieces.” She put her menu down and picked up her water, taking a sip. “This is a nice place, isn’t it?”

“It is. I’ve been here a few times with Jinx.” Craig sipped his own water as he looked around the pale cream walls and pictures of locations in Italy. “We like the atmosphere in here and the staff are always lovely.” Craig paused, then asked, “Has he been in touch?”

“No, but I knew he wouldn’t. He said as much when I told him about the pregnancy, and is either of us surprised? I can handle this on my own if I need to, and it would be easier without him. We both know how much of a child he is.”

“You know how I feel about him.” Craig hadn’t liked her ex at all and had told her because he felt the ex was using her.

“He was exactly as you said he would be, and I wished I’d seen it sooner, but lesson learned.” Cat shrugged and leaned back in her chair. “How is Jinx? Is he working?” Craig winced, a look Cat noticed. “Is everything okay between you two?”

“Yeah. I think. Sometimes our relationship is as perfect as it can be, then other times I feel like he keeps me at arm’s length.

Like right now, something just doesn’t feel right, but he’s told me everything is fine, and I have to take him at his word or that would mean I don’t trust him.

I need to trust him because of the nature of our relationship.

” He looked at Cat, who nodded. “I don’t know.

Something feels off, but in a couple of days, he’ll be back to normal.

Or I could be seeing a lot of nothing and making something out of it. ”

“What does your gut say?”

“That’s it, Cat. I don’t know.” Craig fiddled with his glass, watching the bubbles move.

“Maybe I am reading too much into it. I want us to live together and because he’s not ready, I’m coming up with stupid thoughts that he doesn’t want me or he’s doing something nefarious.

” Craig chuckled softly. “I’ve always had an active imagination, as you know.

Remember the monster under my bed who I named Bertie? ”

Cat giggled. “I sure do. It annoyed our parents that you spent so much time talking to him.”

The waitress came back, and they placed their orders. “Is Jinx still into his glam rock?”

Craig rolled his eyes. “You know he is. He will never give that up. He loves the long hair, and makeup and thrashing guitars. Do you know how many times I’ve listened to Def Leppard’s Animal? I hear it in my sleep.” Cat burst out laughing and Craig pouted. “Thanks.”

“What about your music? I know you’re a huge Lady Gaga fan.”

Craig arched an eyebrow. “I played one track, and he almost fainted. Even Bad Romance didn’t help.”

Laughing again, Cat grinned. “What do you have in common?”

“The classics.” Craig smiled at that. They’d enjoyed a number of evenings going through the various classics, normally with a couple of beers, and snuggled up on the sofa. “It’s nice.”

“I should know all of this,” Cat murmured, her smile disappearing.

“You were dealing with him.” Their food arrived and once they were alone, Craig said, “I’ll go with you. To the parents.”

“You will? I don’t want to drag you into my problems.”

“What are big brothers for? Eat what you can, Cat. You’re eating for two now.”

“I love you.”

Craig mimed throwing up and Cat threw some lettuce at him. Chuckling, he said, “I love you too.” He used his fork to point at her plate. “Eat.”

They ate in relative silence, and it wasn’t long before they’d paid and were leaving. “I’ll follow you.” Cat swallowed and breathed out.

“I’ll be there. Mom and Dad will be…” Craig sighed. “Let’s do this.”

Craig drove to their parents’ and twenty minutes later parked in the driveway and waited for Cat. Cat parked behind him and got out, tucking her hair behind her ear, and biting her bottom lip. Craig walked over to her and hugged her. “Thanks,” she whispered.

Going to the front door, Craig knocked on then opened it. “Mom! Dad! It’s me and Cat.”

“Come in, Craig,” his mom, Charlotte, shouted. “We’re in the kitchen.”

Craig glanced at Cat, seeing her pale skin, and took her hand, giving it a tight squeeze. “We can do this,” he murmured.

In the kitchen, Craig found Charlotte and Bruce sitting at the table. “Hey.”

“It’s lovely to see you both.” Charlotte hugged both Craig and Cat. “What brings you both here?”

“I’m pregnant,” Cat blurted, then stood still, her eyes wide.

“What?” Bruce turned in his chair and stared at Cat. “You’re having a baby?”

“Yes, and it’s his before you ask and no, he wants nothing to do with it.” Cat placed a hand on her abdomen. “But I’m keeping it.”

Craig winced. He hadn’t expected Cat to blurt it out like that and seeing the look of shock on their parents showed they had not expected it either. He had no idea what to say to break the silence in the room. “I’m going to be an uncle. I think I will make a great uncle.”

“I’m going to be a grandmother?” Charlotte asked. “And he will have nothing to do with the baby?”

“I’ll have him sign away parental responsibility.”

“Good. We don’t want him around.”

“No one ever says his name.” Cat blew out her breath. “Are you okay? I know you weren’t expecting this.”

“It will take some time to get used to but…” Bruce looked at Charlotte, “think we’ll be okay. How are you?”

“Other than the obvious, I’m good.”

“Why are you both still standing? Sit down and let me get you both a drink and then we need to make a list of what you’ll need.”

Craig sat and the four of them spent the next hour planning for the new addition to the family.

Craig couldn’t wait to be an uncle, and he knew Jinx would be amazing as well.

He sent him a quick message telling him what had happened and how well it had gone.

He wasn’t surprised when he didn’t get a response.

He knew Jinx was working, but he would respond when he could.

When they left, Craig hugged Cat, who shook her head. “I really thought they would lose their shit, but they were great. Just when I think I know our parents, they surprise me.”

“And me. I think as long as he isn’t involved, they’ll be more than happy for you to have this baby. They despised him.”

“Ever noticed how none of us say his name?” Cat stood back and ran a hand over her belly. “I’m going to be the best mom and you’re going to be the best uncle.” She hugged Craig again, then went to her car. “Craig? Thank you for today.”

“I’m here whenever you need me.” Craig waited for Cat to get in her car and drive away before getting into his own and checking his phone.

Still nothing from Jinx. He rubbed his lips and put his phone on the passenger seat.

He was overreacting. Jinx was at work and could be busy, but it had been a day now, and they never went this long without some form of contact.