Ember (10 page)

Roxie

The next day, Lacey is really anxious to get out of the hospital and I don’t blame her. She gives me a tired smile and my heart hurts for her. The thing is, because she’s so frustrated about being in hospital in the first place, she’s not looking at the brighter side. Lacey is very lucky to have only suffered a mild head injury and that nothing more serious has happened to her. I’m sure she’ll realize that once she’s out of this place.

This morning Lacey was complaining to me about what Cole had told her about the ‘no girl on tour’ ban until Joe is found. I think this a great idea, but, just like with the previous issue, Lacey doesn’t see it that way yet. She just wants to spend as much time with Cole as possible. However, when Cole tells her the latest news, I’m sure she will be happier.

“Hey,” I greet her.

“Sneak me out of here, please,” she begs.

“I don’t think Cole would be happy about that,” I laugh at her.

“He’s worse than the doctors! He won’t even let me walk to the bathroom to pee!”

“He just wants to take care of you.” I sit down beside her bed as we wait for the doctor to come tell us if Lacey can go home tonight or not. She’s had more tests and check-ups done today, and she seems like herself so I think it will be good news.

Cole walks in with the doctor shortly after and explains to Lacey that she is extremely lucky and can go home. The doctors are pleased with the results and as long as she rests, she can leave the hospital.

“If you experience dizziness, blurred vision, bleeding to the head or anything else that causes you to worry, you need to get to the hospital right away,” the doctor tells her. Lacey, being eager to get out of here, agrees to everything she says.

“Another thing,” the doctor adds. “You have to head straight home. I want you to rest as much as possible because anything can happen after a head injury. You need to take it easy and you’re not allowed to be alone for a couple of months, just in case.”

After signing some papers, Lacey is free to go, and I’ve seriously never seen her look so happy. Cole demands she have a wheelchair and Lacey keeps quiet. I know her legs are still a bit shaky, but, by the look on Cole’s face, even I wouldn’t argue. He’s determined to make everything as easy as possible for her. She has a good man.

“Am I coming back with you and Crystal?” she asks me.

“No,” I grin over at Cole.

“You’re coming on the bus with us,” Cole tells her.

“But, the doctor said I need to go home,” she frowns.

“We’re going back to my place where you’re going to heal and relax,” Cole tells her.

“You’re not going on tour?” She sounds shocked. I was, too, when Mason told me.

“No, it’s been called off until I know you are better, and until then, I am not leaving your side.” He leans down to give her a kiss and my heart swells. 

***

An hour later, I walk alongside Cole as he wheels Lacey out of the hospital and towards a private entrance where the tour bus is waiting. When I see it, I become very nervous and start to sweat. I haven’t stepped foot on that bus since I left with Lacey all those months ago. I don’t think I’m ready to get back in there.

Seeing Lacey, the guys all run out of the tour bus and fuss over her. They care about her as much as Cole and I do. At the end of the day, we’re a family.

Cole picks Lacey up into his arms and carries her up the steps. I know without asking he’s going to take her to the bed at the back of the bus. He won’t want Lacey up front.

“You coming?” Paige asks, before she runs onto the bus.

“No,” I answer and decide I will return the wheelchair.

When I get back, I see Mason leaning against the car Crystal and I drove in to get down here.

“Why aren’t you on the bus?” he asks with a confused look.

“I can’t go in there.” I glance at the bus and shake my head. No, I’m not ready yet.

“We’re going to leave in a minute. You driving Cole’s car back?” he moves to stand beside me and I can’t help but notice just how close he is.

“Yeah, someone has to,” I laugh.

“I’ll come with you,” he offers.

“You will be ok with Crystal and me in a car for over an hour?” I ask with a smirk.

Mason thinks about it and then runs inside the tour bus.
I can’t believe he just left me here like this!
But before I can get pissed at him, he runs back to me with a pleased look.

“Sorted,” he says as he opens the passenger side door and gestures for me to get in.

“What is?” I cautiously ask as I make my way over to him.

“It’s just me and you. Crystal is going back on the bus.” He sure does look pleased with himself, and as I get in the car, looking at his smug, cheeky grin I decide that I don’t care whether he asked Crystal or not. I get to spend some alone time with Mason again.

Roxie

I take a deep breath in and let it back out again. I repeat it a handful of times but it’s no use. I can’t get my nerves under control. Crystal walks in and looks at me with sympathy.

“You alright?” she asks.

I shake my head. “I don’t understand why I am so nervous.”

Crystal shuts my bedroom door behind her and comes to join me on the bed. “It’s your first midwife appointment. This is a big thing and I would think you were an idiot if you weren’t scared,” she laughs.

That makes me feel a little bit normal. I thought I was already failing at motherhood because today is my first appointment of many.

“Everyone’s downstairs,” Crystal tells me, and I tense.

“
Everyone?
” I panic and she nods her head. “Fuck, what are we going to say if they ask where we are going?”

The girls are fine, they all know, but the guys don’t. I know I’m going to have to tell Mason soon because I’m now making my friends lie, and that’s not fair to them.

“Shopping?” Crystal suggests, but I shake my head. “Rehab check-up?”

“That could work.” I stand and grab my long black cardigan. I’m not cold, but I just want it to cover myself.

Lacey shouts at us as we pass her room, and I take a peek around the door to see her propped up in bed watching TV. I haven’t been in this room yet, and I’ve got to say, fucking hell this room is huge; not only that but the bed Lacey is lying on is the biggest I have ever seen. It looks like something a king would sleep in.

“You leaving?” she asks, and when I nod she sulks. “I wish I was coming.”

I go to sit beside her on the bed. “I know, and now I’m left with Crystal. Thanks for that.”

“Hey.” Crystal slightly shoves me and Lacey laughs.

“You’ll be fine.” She smiles. “But remember, you can’t keep this a secret for long.”

I just nod my head and give her a kiss before leaving her room. When we make our way downstairs, we bump into Ria and she gives me a smile of encouragement. So far so good. However, my luck runs out when we walk past the living room and Mason spots us rushing by and stops us.

“Why the rush?” he asks.

“We’re running late,” I say without thinking.

Mason looks puzzled. “For what?”

I look to Crystal for help. “She has a rehab appointment thing,” She hurries to say.

Oh great, because that sounds convincing. I’m going to be late for a rehab appointment thing.

“Rehab?” Mason looks shocked. “Is everything ok?”

“Yes, nothing to worry about. Just a check-up.” I back away a little, eager to get going. “So I better leave.”

I tug on Crystal’s arm to turn to leave but Mason grabs onto my free arm. “Let me take you?”

Oh, fuck!
“You can’t do that.”

I try to pull away but he frowns at me. “Why not?”

“Because I need Crystal to take me.” I start to panic and I know he can see it written all over my face.

“Fine, but call me if you need me.” I watch as he turns and walks away and I can’t help but feel guilty as I do.

“Come
on,
Rox.” Crystal takes hold of my hand and leads me down to the car we ‘borrowed’ the last time.

During the drive, Crystal leaves me to my thoughts, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. I regret not telling Mason. If I had, he might be driving me right now rather than Crystal, but, then again, if I had told him and he wasn’t happy, I would probably be exactly where I am now.

***

An hour later I’m feeling pretty stupid that I was so nervous. My midwife is a lovely woman and there was nothing to be scared of. At least not on her part, the scariness is all on me.

Once the introductions were over, the midwife looked at me with much sympathy and professionalism. “Roxie, I read in your file that you were in rehab for drinking?”

“Yes, I was,” I reply and after making sure I’m doing ok her next words have me terrified.

“Drinking during the first months of pregnancy in particular can be dangerous for the baby. Not just because of the risk of miscarriage, but there’s a disorder called Foetal Alcohol Syndrome.”

“What’s that?” Lacey asks for me as I’m unable to speak.

“Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is when the pregnant mother drinks heavily and the alcohol flows from the placenta and to the foetus through the bloodstream. As the baby’s liver isn’t fully developed it cannot metabolise the alcohol quickly enough. Therefore it can affect development in the baby’s hearing, facial problems, weak immune system, damage to certain organs and even epilepsy.”

“Oh my god,” I cry. “I’ve hurt my baby.”

The midwife comes to sit on my other side and tries to calm me. “This may not be for sure, but it’s a possibility due to your drinking. You have to stay positive.”

“How can we find out?” I ask her.

“When the baby is born, and as they are start to grow and developing, especially through school, is when the signs start to show the most.”

“Thank you,” I whisper.

After that heartbreaking news, she takes my blood and my weight for the standard checks.

The better part of this visit is when she tells me I can have my scan in two weeks. I will see my baby in two weeks!

Roxie

Sitting outside in the much needed fresh air, I’m disturbed by Paige when she sits down next to me. I’m on a sun lounger and Paige doesn’t even sit on the one next to me. No, she sits on the same one as me!

“I have to come clean about something.” I look up to her and I don’t like the look on her face. She looks distraught.

“What’s the matter?” I quickly ask.

“I need to tell Lacey something. Will you come with me?” Her voice sounds defeated and I don’t like it.

“Ok honey, let’s go find her.” I take her hand and we search for Lacey.

It doesn’t take long. Since the terrible night where she ran into Joe, Cole has made sure he has made her rest. So lately, Lacey is either on the couch downstairs or in bed. When we see she’s not in the living room, perched on the large couch, we head upstairs.

“What’s bothering you?” I ask Paige when we reach the top.

“I did something really bad.” Her voice comes out as a whimper and a tear runs down her cheeks.

“Honey,” I hug her close. “I’m sure that, whatever it is, it’s not that bad.”

“Yes, it is.” She pushes me away and walks towards Lacey’s room, and I follow.

We knock on the door and when we’re sure it’s clear to go in, I open it to see Lacey stretching. She must have been asleep.

“Sorry to wake you,” Paige says. “I’ll come back later.”

“No, don’t be silly,” Lacey says and smiles. “Please come in. I only fell asleep because I’m so bored.”

We both go to sit on the bed with Lacey, and she looks between us, waiting. Thankfully, before it becomes a little too uncomfortable, Paige begins.

“I’m so sorry Lacey,” she cries.

“What for?” Lacey looks at her with wide eyes. “Honey, don’t cry.”

“No, it’s my entire fault,” Paige sniffles and wipes at her eyes. “If it wasn’t for me, Joe wouldn’t have gotten to you.”

At the mentioning of Joe’s name, both Lacey and I tense.

“Paige, what are you saying? You had nothing to do with what happened that night,” I assure her.

“But I do!” she cries harder. “It was my fault.”

“Paige, why don’t you tell me exactly why you’re upset?” Lacey asks.

“At the gig, I went to change my shoes with Tony,” she begins.

“Who’s Tony?” I ask.

“One of the guards they hired for us on the tour,” Lacey fills in for me.

“But the thing is,” Paige continues. “That wasn’t entirely true.”

Lacey and I exchange a look and then back to Paige.

“See, Tony and I were sleeping together on tour, and when we went back to the bus, we didn’t just get new shoes.” Paige hangs her head in shame.

“Oh my god!” Lacey laughs. “You and Tony? Wow!”

Paige snaps her head up. “You’re not mad?”

“God no! Why would I?” Lacey asks.

“Because if we were quicker, you wouldn’t have gone to the toilet on your own,” Paige cries. “And you wouldn’t have had to go through what you did.”

Lacey leans over and hugs Paige, who only cries harder. “Paige, it’s not your fault. It’s nobody’s fault except Joe’s. You got that?”

Paige hesitantly nods her head which makes Lacey happy.

“Now, stop crying and give me all the juicy gossip on Tony.” We all giggle, but Paige does exactly that and I have to say I am jealous!

My little cousin got herself some loving action while on a rock tour. The dirty bitch.

Eventually, Paige calms down and believes Lacey when she says it wasn’t her fault. I thought that Paige was holding something back from me lately. I thought that she might have been angry at me for keeping the baby a secret, but now I know why. My heart pours out for her. Paige is a sensitive girl, and I’m actually shocked she didn’t say anything before now.

***

Later that night, the guys all come over to Cole’s, and we decide to have a film night. Crystal and I exchange a smirk to one another, seeing as we went through a lot of films while we were alone.

Tonight is one of those nights where I’m feeling a little on edge and I have a few shakes here and there. It’s when my body is shouting for alcohol and doesn’t like it when I ignore its demands. Instead, I go into the kitchen and get myself a cold glass of water and once I’ve downed that, I pour a glass of lemonade.

When I return to the movie room, I see almost all seats are taken, and the film has already been chosen. Then I see Mason in the corner and he’s looking right at me, patting the spot next to him. When I don’t move, he ushers me over, and I try not to run to him. Things are going great between us, just like before, but without the sex, and I am
really
craving the sex right now. My chunky friend hidden in my room just isn’t doing it for me.

I settle myself next to him, and I’m shocked when Mason wraps his arms around me and pulls me closer. Damn, I’ve missed his scent. I breathe him in and my pussy clenches with need.
Shit.

The film begins and I see that someone has chosen “Taken” and I’m glad. I somehow haven’t managed to see this one. However, even though the film is showing, I still don’t watch it. My attention is zeroed in on Mason as his hands stroke my thigh, up and down.

I clear my throat and wiggle around a bit. My whole body is shouting for him to throw me down and fuck me like we’re wild animals.

“You enjoying the film?” he whispers in my ear.

I nod. “Yeah,” even though I can’t focus on what is happening in it.

“I’m not,” he adds.

“Why?” I whisper back.

“Because all I can think about is kissing you.” I turn back to look at him in shock. He reaches up and strokes my bottom lip with his finger. “I’m trying to be good.”

“What if I don’t want you to be good?” I ask.

Mason shifts in his seat and I look down at his crotch and smile. He laughs and pulls me back down in a cuddling position. “Be a good girl.”

We go back to watching the film, but I know his attention is as much on me as mine is focused on him.

When we’ve suffered through two films, Mason walks me up to my room. Not needed at all, but I love that he does.

“Tonight was good,” he says and smiles.

I bite down on my lip and nod.
Yes, it fucking was.
Back in the car, when we were coming back from the hospital, he told me that he still loves me and will try to make a go of things. This was not what I was expecting.

“I still love you, Rox,” he whispers.

“I love you, too.” I look deeply into his eyes so he can see how true that is.

Mason steps closer and leans into me. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me firmly into him, and, shockingly, places his lips on mine. We share a passionate and hungry kiss against the wall, and I love every single second. Am I dreaming? I sure fucking hope not.