Page 5 of Bren

“We’re just coming,” Sam shouts back, drawing me away from the door and shutting it. He turns us to walk back towards the clubhouse. “I’ll get your bag shortly.”

“Thanks, Sam…” I was cut short by Alec exclaiming, “Holy shit, Bren, you’re pregnant.”

The dress I’d chosen for comfort on my long drive was also clingy and showed my baby bump clearly. Maybe in the back of my mind I’d chosen it just for this reason so that I didn’t have to tell anyone I was pregnant when my choice of clothing clearly showed it.

I roll my eyes before tilting my head up to Sam. “Observant, isn’t he,” I retort dryly, making Sam snort out a laugh.

“Yes, Alec, I am indeed pregnant, and I’m desperate for the loo, so if you could point me in the direction, I’d be eternally grateful.”

“Come on, I’ll show you,” Sam says, “I don’t want you walking around here by yourself.”

Tensing, I look around, “Am I not safe here?”

“You are, Maestro let everyone know who you were and that you were untouchable, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. This place is nothing like our club, Bren.”

“Okay, I’ll stay around you, but I really do have to pee.”

“Through here,” Sam says, ushering me down a hall. Taking keys from his pocket, he unlocks a door that opens into a bedroom. I know straight away it’s his just by the mess. I love my brother, but he is the messiest person that I know. Spying another door, I hurry through it and into a bathroom that looks like it’s been recently cleaned.

“At least your bathroom’s clean,” I call out to him, making him laugh.

“I had it cleaned especially for you. Are you okay bunking with me, or do you want your own room? The armchair pulls out into a bed; I’ll crash on that.”

“If you’re sure, that’s good with me,” I retort. “But I want clean sheets on the bed. I don’t need no skank on me and my baby, thanks.”

“The sheets are clean. I know what you and Ben are like about clean sheets.”

Finishing in the bathroom, I walk out and smile at Sam. “I’m feeling a hundred percent better. Any chance we can get a soft drink and something to eat?”

“Yep, let’s go.”

We walk down the passage towards the bar. From here, I can see Alec behind the bar with a skimpy-dressed woman with bleached blonde hair. She was hanging off his arm; I curled my lip a little at the sight. Alec was leaning across the bar talking with Cash and Lizzie.

“Was that a baby bump I saw on Bren?” Lizzie quizzes him with a happy smile.

“Yep,” Alec replies, “don’t know what she was thinking; she’s too fucking young to be a mum.”

I come to a stop at his words; Sam stops next to me, looking on with curious eyes, probably wondering what was wrong with me.

“Don’t you want kids?” the woman next to him asks curiously.

“Fuck no,” Alec answers loudly and adamantly. “I’m too young to be a dad. Plus, I make sure I wrap up, and I only use my own condoms; there’s no way I’m getting trapped by a baby mama.”

And there it was, the last little bit of feeling I’d had for him broken by those words. There was no way I’d be telling him that wrapping his dick and only using his own condoms obviously doesn’t always work. I’d grown up with a father who didn’t want us. There was no way in hell I’d ever let a child of mine feel unwanted.

Sam tugs gently on my arm; he’d heard what Alec had said just as I had. “Ignore him, Bren, he’s talking out his arse. You’ll make a great mum; hell, you and Ben brought Ellie up for most of her life.”

“You’re right,” I agree, making my feet move towards the bar. I’m strong, I’ll suck it up and put on a happy face for everyone. It’s only for one night, and I have an excuse. I can plead tiredness and go to bed early.

“Hi, sweetie,” Lizzie welcomes me with a warm smile, patting the chair next to her. Sam helps me up. Once I am settled, she wraps her arm around me and kisses my temple. “It’s good to see you; we were wondering if you’d make it for a visit this time.”

“Hi, Lizzie, hi, Cash,” I answer and smile at the large man standing behind her, his arm wrapped around her waist, holdingher like she was the most precious thing in the world. Pity his brother wasn’t more like him.

“Hi, beautiful girl,” Cash greets me. “What can we get you to drink?”

“Just a lemonade or something soft, please. If you don’t have that, then water is fine.”

Cash tilts his chin at Alec, who nods and turns to the fridge behind him. Taking out a bottle of lemonade, he pours it into a glass and hands it to me.

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