Page 66 of Shine: Sins of the Father
It’s the first time Cody is called brother, and the import of that is clear on his face. His grin is from ear to ear.
Cole motions Jake forward, then passes something from Crash’s hands to Jake, and I realize it's Cody’s new patches—the three-skull center patch and the top and bottom rockers which will replace the Prospect rocker he now wears.
“Here you go, Papa. You do the honors,” Cole says, patting Jake’s arm.
Jake turns and holds them out to his son, his eyes shimmering.
“Welcome to the club, son. I’m proud as hell of the man you’ve become, and I can’t think of a better man to have as a brother.”
They embrace, and I glance at Layla to see her wiping her eyes.
“Greet your brothers, Cody,” Cole says, and the kid makes his way around the circle receiving backslaps from each one.
“Okay, everyone. Let’s get this party started.” Before he can lift his beer in the air, I clutch Janey’s hand and cry out.
Cole lowers his bottle and stares at me, and the eyes of everyone turn.
“Oh, God.” I bend over as a huge cramp hits my stomach. I can feel the muscles tightening and my abdomen getting hard to the touch. “Get me out to the car, please. I don’t want to ruin Cody’s day.”
“She’s fine. She’s good.” Janey waves to everyone. “Just needs some air.”
“Make way,” Harley calls out, and she, Tori, and Melissa make a path through the crowd for me.
Rafe and Reckless catch us at the door, my father right behind them.
“Is she okay?” my father asks.
“I’m fine, just gonna go home and lie down. Go back to the party, Daddy.”
The girls lead me outside and to Melissa’s car. I’m standing on the side, waiting for her to unlock it, when I feel a sudden flush of wetness between my thighs. I glance down and see my maternity pants are soaked.
“Oh, God,” I whisper.
“It’s okay,” Janey clutches my hand. “Your water just broke. It’s perfectly normal.”
“But it’s not time yet. I have another month.”
“Sometimes these little people decide to come early. It’s going to be okay,” Harley says, then looks over the roof to Melissa. “You and Janey get her to the hospital. I’ll get her mother.”
They pack me in the backseat of the car, and Janey jumps in with me, and we’re on our way.
“I’m sorry I ruined the party for you guys.”
“Don’t you dare apologize,” Janey hisses, then shakes my fisted hand excitedly. “You get to meet your son today, honey.”
“Janey?”
“Yeah, babe?”
“I’m scared.”
Melissa meets my eyes in the rearview mirror. “Everything is going to be fine. I know it’s scary, but we’re here with you, and we won’t leave you.”
Once we’re at the hospital, Melissa pulls up to the maternity entrance, and Janey runs to get a wheelchair.
She wheels me in while Melissa parks the car.
We’re still at admitting when Melissa joins us with my mother, Harley Jean, Tori, and my sister, Ella in tow.
