Page 12 of Triple Power Play 3
AURORA
It’s not even nine a.m., and already, it’s a rough day. First, the baby kept me up all night practicing gymnastics in my uterus. Then, I woke after a few blessed hours of sleep nauseated. This freaks Jax out, and despite my arguments, he texts Ethan, who returns from an early morning meeting.
Now, he kneels next to me in his slacks and button-up, sleeves rolled, holding my hair and rubbing my back.
“Please go away,” I groan, wanting to be alone in my misery. “I don’t need an audience.”
“Like I care.”
His voice is growly, and usually, I love him taking that tone with me, but right now, it feels as if he’s annoyed.
Nausea rolls through me once more, and my stomach turns over. Ethan gags, hiding his face in the crook of his elbow, and I want to die of embarrassment. I prefer Reece. At least he was a medic, trained not to express his displeasure.
Dizzy, I hug the porcelain, lay my head on my forearm, and concentrate on drawing slow, steady breaths.
Icy fingers press against my feverish cheeks. “Jackson, call room service for food.”
“Already done.” Jax wets a washcloth and hands it to him. “When does this end?”
The question is rhetorical, a thought spoken out loud, but Ethan isn’t in the mood.
“How the fuck would I know?” He places the cold compress on the back of my neck. “I don’t have other children.”
He’s agitated, and I feel like a burden. “Am I inconveniencing you?”
My whispered, strained words are swallowed by Jackson’s louder voice, now equally irritated. “You sure about that?”
Ethan turns to Jax, and the washcloth falls to the floor. “Yes, asshole. Are you?”
“Yeah, dickhead. I’m demisexual, obsessive, and paranoid. I know exactly who I’ve nutted in, and she’s in this room.”
“Stop—both of you. You’re not helping. Being pregnant sucks. Period.” I sit back and face Ethan. “If you have somewhere to be, go. I’m fine. I’ve been sick most of this pregnancy. I can handle it.”
He gives me a steely glare. “That doesn’t make me feel any fucking better.Youare my priority. I’m pissed at—” He stops short and massages his nape. “Not at you.”
I stand, closing my eyes for a moment to let the vertigo subside. “Go. It’s just morning sickness. I’ll survive.”
“I got it.” Jax wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Sorry I bothered you.”
Conflict rages in Ethan’s gaze, but with a reluctant sigh, he kisses my clammy forehead and promises to fly back with us.
I nibble on some toast and sip coffee, which I’m positive is decaf, until it’s time to catch a car to the airport. On the private jet,while waiting for Ethan and able to hold my head up, I make a list of my expenses for him, knowing it’ll ease his guilt to help me financially.
But when I log in to my bank account and the number is much lower than expected, fear grips me. A cold sweat breaks out along my heated skin. The pounding of my heart echoes in my ears, and the cabin is suddenly suffocating.
My fingertips tingle, and I shake my hands to ward off the impending sense of doom.
Jackson leans over and grabs my wrists. “What’s wrong?”
“I…” My mind goes blank. “My. Expenses.” My words are choppy. I’m on the verge of a panic attack.
I have no issues with Jax buying designer clothes and adorable baby outfits—he loves to spoil us—but relyingon others entirely? That’s terrifying.
It hits me all at once. I don’t belong with these two. I’m still paying medical bills from years ago and have a child on the way. I can’t manage this lifestyle, can’t take time off work, can’t expect someone else to pay for my grandmother.
“Okay…?” He stretches out the word, brows furrowed.
“I can’t do this.”
