Page 61 of His Flawed Ride

Once she’s settled, I head over to Leo’s house. My president is just on his way out as I climb the porch steps.

“What’s up?”

“I need to talk to your old lady.”

“About?”

“About when she was pregnant. I need advice for Annie.”

He opens the front door and calls out for Holly. “Shane needs a word.”

He turns back to me and orders, “Don’t keep her long. Roman’s kept us up most of the night and she’s tired.”

“Sure thing.”

“Catch you later.”

I’m not waiting long before Holly steps out clutching a monitor in her gloved hand.

“How can I help you, Shane?”

“Can I ask, did you suffer from morning sickness when you were pregnant?”

She huffs. “Sure did.”

“Did anything help you? And how long did it last?”

“Is this for the girl who showed up yesterday?”

“Yeah. She’s pregnant with my baby and suffering with morning sickness, I don’t know how to help her.”

“It’s natural.”

“What did you do?”

“I survived on crackers and water until it ended.”

“Crackers?”

“Yep. She’s going to have to ride it out unfortunately. Just be there for her when she needs you.”

So it’s going to be shit then.

“If there’s anything else you want to know, I’m always around.”

I go to leave but stop. “Actually, this is more personal so if you don’t want to answer, just tell me to fuck off and I will.”

She smiles. “Go on.”

“During the pregnancy, was there ever a time that you didn’t want to be a mom, like when the baby was born?”

Her frown gives me my answer before she says, “No, but then we were trying for Roman. I wanted him before I was even pregnant with him. I take it she doesn’t want the baby?”

“She said she wants to sign full custody over to me. She asked that I cover her medical bills and help her till she gives birth.”

“Could she just be scared. I mean, if she wasn’t planning on having a baby, I imagine it could be a scary place to be in, especially when you don’t know the father that well.”

“I have no idea, but she seems adamant that she wants me to raise the baby alone.”