Page 57 of Hold 'Em Tight

“We have a house for all the cheer members. There’s an empty room with your name on it, if you’d like to move in tonight.”

“Okay.” Sabrina grins. “Sounds good to me.”

“Welcome to the team,” Donny cheers. “We’re going to fucking kill Nationals this year.”

Smiling over at Rylee, she gives me one back. Maybe this year won’t be all bad. Sometimes it’s the little things that keep you going. And by the looks of it, things with the team are starting to look up.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Getting out of the shower, a wave of heat hits me and my head spins as my stomach flips. I waddle over to the toilet and lose the small bit of breakfast that I managed to eat.

I absolutely hate being pregnant. I have no affection for this parasite that lives inside of me.

But it was the only way to get my Lenny to stay. I knew the blackmail I had wouldn't be enough, and this way, no one can hurt me either.

I know all about Mateo's cousin, but he can’t touch me thanks to this demon child.

Flushing the toilet, I move over to the sink and brush my teeth. I look awful. My hair is a frizzy mess, I've been getting acne, and I don't even want to talk about the weight I have gained.

I quickly pull out my makeup and fix my face to perfection before anyone can see me. I have been looking forward to today all month.

I just wish we didn't need to go to a stupid baby check up first.

Leaving the bathroom, I yawn and wiggle my ankle. It's fine now, but Lenny doesn’t need to know that.

“Ow, oh, shit, Lenny,” I scream at the top of my lungs, and wait for him to come help me. It doesn't take long. He's a good boy like that. Daddy said that I have trained him well, but I don't think that's true.

Since our engagement party, he's been more defiant. He actually had the audacity to sleep on the couch the other night. Leaving me alone, to fend for myself.

Let's just say he woke up to a surprise. It's a shame he's going to have that shiner for our baby shower.

But he just makes me so mad. Some days, I want to beat him, squeeze the life out of him, until there is no more light in his hazel eyes. Other days, I just wish he would hold me, love me, give me any type of affection.

Can't he see how much I love him? That I would do anything to keep him as mine. Maybe even kill…

Lenny helps me into the bedroom, then gets my outfit for today. I also have a bag packed for later. Just a few surprises. I am going to look like the perfect wife.

“I need the keys, so I can turn the AC on. It's hot today,” he says, and holds out his hand. I hesitate, before finally opening the bedside table and pulling out the lockbox inside.

With a press of my finger, it unlocks, and I toss him the keys.

After he leaves, muttering under his breath, I get ready. The baby kicks and I cringe.

“Stop it, demon child,” I grumble, rubbing my ribs. I swear this thing hates me as much as I despise it.

I can't wait until it's out of me, and then Janie can have it.

I have plans, and a baby won't stop me from achieving them. I can't be the perfect trophy wife with a baby in the way.

After I'm dressed in a sundress and shorts, with my bikini underneath, I grab my bag and purse, slip on the stupid flats by the door, then holler for Lennox’s dad.

“Hey,” he says, pulling me into a secret hug, then helps me down the stairs and to the front door.

“Thank you. I'll see you later?” I ask my lion and he nods, opening the door for me.

Lenny is behind the steering wheel, screaming along to some metal band.

“Lenny!” I scream and he jumps, looking over at me. He closes his eyes and sighs, before opening the door and coming to get me.