Page 171 of Reaper's Rival

“Depends on where we are going to.”

“The clubhouse.”

“Nah, we still have half a day to kill before heading back there.”

“Brad, I want to go home.”

“Nope.”

“Fine then.” I looked at him. “Where do you want to go?”

His face lit up. “We could go baby stuff shopping.” He pulled a card out of his wallet. “Reaper gave me this.”

I stared at him blankly. “It’s burning a hole in your pocket not using it, isn’t it?”

“Well, you know Reaper and money. He never gives it away.”

“So you want to burn a hole in my husband’s bank account?”

“Pretty much. Yeah.” He smirked at me. “Come on, aren’t you dying to buy thing some clothes?”

“Thing?”

“That’s what I’m calling it.” He reversed out of the park.

“You are not calling my unborn baby thing.”

“Already done. Anyway, you call it it!”

“I’m its mother, and it is an it.”

“It is also a thing.”

“Fine, call it whatever.” I gave up and pulled my phone out of my handbag. I wasn’t even half surprised when there were no calls or messages from Kade.

“So shopping it is?” Brad asked.

“Sure, why not. I guess it has to be done. But nothing pink or blue.”

“How about we stick to black?”

“That’s a bit depressing for a kid.”

“But this thing isn’t any old thing. The thing is a member, so black suits.”

“I’ll tell you what. If you can find something in black, we can buy it.” I was positive he wouldn’t find anything black at all.

So baby stuff shopping. Another thing I should be doing with Reaper. But not doing it alone was good. At least I had a friend, even if I was questioning his sanity levels.

***

Kim had called and needed a few things from the supermarket, so Brad and I stopped on the way home. Because Brad had gotten crazy with the shopping, we had one truckload of stuff; stuff he was very protective of and wouldn’t leave.

So I went in by myself. It wasn’t a big deal. I got a couple of things and was on my way, thinking about Kade, when I walked—bang!— into someone.

“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention,” I apologized.

“It’s ok.” He picked up one of my bags and handed it to me. “I haven’t seen you around town before.” He frowned.

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