Page 78 of Harley

“What A word?” Dante asked, all innocent.

“Asshole…” EJ answered and spun to Lindsey, wincing as he did so.

I spluttered before laughing hard.

“EJ!” she hissed.

“Well, if I’m going to get my mouth washed out again… you’re a fuckin’ shit, Dante!” EJ cussed.

Dante grinned hugely as Lindsey sent me a baleful glare, and I shoved my glove into my mouth.

“Not helping, Oakley,” Lindsey muttered before raising her voice. “Dig Harley out now! Before he catches flu and I make you all wait on him hand and foot. And yeah, EJ, you’re getting your mouth washed out. You too, for trapping him into it, Dante!”

“What did I do?” Dante exclaimed, and Lindsey stared him down.

“Bro, take it on the chin!” EJ stated and grinned as Dante began muttering under his breath.

Harley

I was freezing cold. Even the shower hadn’t warmed me up. Because I was shaking so badly, Oakley had sent me to bed and gone to the kitchen to ask for some soup. I’d gulped it down and was now snuggled up with Oakley curled into my side.

“Harley, you know you said you liked the idea of kids… but in the future?” she asked, playing with my tee.

“Yeah?”

“How far down the road?” Oakley questioned.

“When we’re ready,” I answered.

“Can we be ready in eight months?”

“What?” I yelped, sitting bolt upright.

Oakley flopped on the bed and pushed herself up. She looked absolutely terrified.

“We might have had a mishap.”

“You’re pregnant?” I exclaimed, shocked.

“Yes. The condom must have failed. We’re going to have a baby,” Oakley said.

I sat there for a few moments. Holy shit. I’m gonna be a father. A moment of sheer terror passed through me. What did I know about being a dad? Dad’s face flashed into my head. He’d known nothing when he took us all on and had succeeded despite the odds. I didknowwhat a father looked like because I had Dad.

“Is that bad or good?” Oakley demanded.

“Fuckin’ good baby, I’m over the moon. Fuck, I’m going to be a dad!” I yelled in happiness.

There was a smash from the doorway.

Two mugs of hot cocoa lay smashed on the floor.

“Drake!” Mom screamed at the top of her lungs as she gazed at Oakley and me, wide-eyed.

“Aw shit!” I mumbled.

“Phoe?!” Dad called back with alarm in his voice. His booted feet thundered up the stairs.

“I’m going to be a grandma!” Mom shrieked again. She bounced on the spot like a demented bunny.

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