Page 36 of Kneeling to Candy

“When aren’t you bickering?” Punk teases innocently. “You love to push each other’s buttons.”

I shush Punk. The guy never knows when to shut his mouth.

“No biggie,” I say to Simone, still unsure I’m helping. “Do you, uh, wanna talk about it?”

Geez, I feel dumb. Simone didn’t want to talk about it when Punk asked. Why would I be any different?

She sighs, leaning her head back against the headrest. “Chase wants to be a father, like, this second. He’s been talking to my stomach since our wedding night. I want a baby, too. But the reality is, most people don’t get pregnant right away. It takes time. It’s stressful hearing Chase say I’m carrying his child. How’s he going to react if I’m not? He’ll be heartbroken.”

“At least you guys are on the same page,” I blurt, thinking how Butch doesn’t want any future with me. Hopefully, she and the guys didn’t pick up on my bitterness.

“Yeah, it’s good we want the same thing,” Simone agrees. “I hope it happens sooner rather than later. I’ll feel like I’m failing if it doesn’t happen.”

“You could never fail him,” Ziggy says gently from the front seat. “He won’t be upset if you aren’t pregnant this month or this year. He’s happy to have this future with you. It’ll happen when it happens.”

“Maybe you should communicate how much pressure you feel to provide a child for him,” I suggest. “He seems too excited to see how this puts unnecessary stress on you. If you tell him being stressed doesn’t help with getting pregnant, I’m sure he’d back off.”

Simone releases a long sigh. “You’re right. I know I have to talk to him. I only hope I can get through to him.”

“If I had an answer for getting through fat heads, I’d use that knowledge with Butch.”

“Oooo,” the entire group says at once, turning the focus of our conversation onto me.

Whoops.

“Care to share?” Punk asks from the driver’s seat.

“Butt out, Punk,” Simone chides.

“A little hard when we’re all in the same vehicle,” he counters.

Simone ignores him, addressing me. “What’s going on with you and Butch?”

“Not a clue,” I say with a clip, my irritation coming through.

“Are you together?” she asks, cocking her head.

“Of course they’re together,” Ziggy cuts in. “My guy is crazy about Candy.”

The hell? In what way? As his friend. As a girlfriend?

“Do explain because I’m not seeing it.”

Ziggy turns in his seat to face me. His mop of dirty-blond curls bounce with his fast movements. “Did you sleep together?”

“Ziggy!” Simone chastises. “Why would you ask such a personal question? That’s none of your business.”

“Oh, please,” Ziggy says to Simone, unashamed. He focuses back on me, waiting for an answer.

Sex is not an embarrassing issue for me. But what I shared with Butch was meaningful. Maybe not to him, but it was for me. It’s not anything I care to share with anyone besides Butch.

Instead of giving an elaborate answer, I nod.

Ziggy gives me a pointed look. “And his knees?”

I freeze. I’m certain Butch’s bedroom antics aren’t known within the brotherhood. If it was public knowledge, I would’ve heard it. The crew gossip like teenagers. No one can keep a secret long term. Ziggy is Butch’s best friend, but does he know Butch is a submissive?

“And his knees?” Punk parrots. “What’s wrong with Butch’s knees?”

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