Page 8 of Embracing the Consequences

“No.” Kara sighed. “I only realized something was up a couple days ago. Shit’s kinda been crazy lately. I figured I’d tell them this weekend. Hopefully we can get some time alone.”

Johnny closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Kara was pregnant.Fuck. He could feel life as he knew it coming to a halt. He was standing at a crossroads, and only he could choose the way forward. Was he ready to be a dad? He had no idea. But he knew in his heart Kara was it for him; there was no other option.

He made a show of opening the bathroom door before he shouted into the bathroom. “Kara? You in here?”

“Yeah,” she called back. “Give me a minute and I’ll be right out!”

“Alright. Slade’s ready for you. Meet me there.” He turned and headed for the corner where Slade had set up shop.

Slade Cooper was the club’s go-to tattoo artist. She had a shop on the border of Mourningside and Creekton. She’d also been a friend of Kara’s for years and had done all her ink. She’d set up fabric partitions to separate her space in the back corner from the main barroom. Behind the curtains there were a couple chairs, a couch, and a table where Slade was organizing her supplies. “You got time to do that one we talked about?” he asked her.

Slade’s eyes widened as she looked up at him. “Now?”

“Absolutely.” He nodded.

“Yeah, for sure.”

Johnny paused a moment and asked quietly. “Is it safe to ink if she’s pregnant?”

Slade gasped; her vibrant green eyes went wide. “You mean?”

Johnny nodded. “She doesn’t know that I know yet, so don’t say anything please. She hasn’t told us yet, but I heard her talking to Rachel,” Johnny admitted.

“Holy shit.” Slade gasped. “Congratulations?” she asked.

Johnny grinned widely and nodded. “Thanks. You can see why I want her inked tonight, if possible?”

“Yeah. Holy shit,” she muttered, clearly floored by the idea.

“So is it safe?” Johnny pressed again, looking toward the bathroom door.

“Yes.” Slade nodded. “The biggest concern would be infection, but we’re using medical-grade sterile equipment, and Kara isn’t allergic to my ink. She’ll be fine.”

Johnny nodded. “Alright. Let me grab my brothers.”

Slade smiled and quickly started pulling out supplies. Johnny turned and found Kevin and Derrick in the crowd easily enough. Both men had kept an eye on him all night. It wasn’t hard to get their attention and motion them over.

“It’s time,” he told both men when they stood before him.

Kevin’s subtle intake of breath had Johnny eyeing him. “What’s wrong?” Johnny asked his brother.

“Are you sure? You were just sworn in as president two hours ago. You want to go public with this right away? I thought we were going to wait.”

Johnny shook his head. He eyed the bathroom, still not seeing Kara. “Things have changed. I’ll fill you in at home,” he said, giving both Derrick and Kevin a slight shake of his head. “But I want her inked. Now.”

Derrick opened his mouth to say something but quickly closed it.

Kevin eyed him suspiciously. “I thought we were going to ask her together?”

“We still can.” Johnny sighed. “I just want her inked tonight. So, you got some grand gesture you wanna do or say? Have at it. But before we leave here, our names will be inked on our girl’s body.”

There was a small feminine gasp, and Johnny looked over Kevin’s shoulder to see Kara standing there. She was pale. Johnny could see the exhaustion etched on her face. Her eyes were red rimmed, like she had been crying, though her makeup was fresh. He could see the hints of purple beneath her eyes, theexhaustion there, though she’d tried to hide it. He hated that she was so sick and so tired.

“Come ’ere,” Johnny murmured, crooking his finger.

Kara moved toward him slowly, her eyes wide. She looked so fucking beautiful. Her blond hair was still in curls, though they were a little windblown and flattened from the long day.

“Johnny,” she murmured, eyes watering.

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