Page 72 of Rough Cowboy
“We have a full house today.” Everly Layne greets us with a warm smile. She shuts the doors of the dimly lit ultrasound room.
She’s the local doctor’s daughter, and one day she’ll take over the practice like her father did from her granddad.
“It wasn’t necessary for everyone to come.” Sammy slants a glare at me from the end of the examination table, where his hands rest on Elsie’s legs.
The damn nerve. He’s stealing my kid and telling me I don’t belong.
I don’t mind being at the end of the bed. It gives me a view of everyone and, most notably, the screen where my baby will be.
“You’re not wrong there, brother.” He’s the one who ought to get the hell out, and I’m tempted to kick his ass to the front door.
“And yet, you’re here.” Sammy glowers from the high white horse his perfectness has perched himself upon.
“This baby has so many people who love it.”
Lena’s hand rests on Elsie’s arm. “We’re all excited to hear the heartbeat and make sure everything’s good with the baby and the mama. That’s the reason we’re all here.” Now she’s glowering at me.
I’m the goddam father, and I’m getting all the glares? What the hell?
Everly sits on a stool and rolls beside Elsie. “How’s the mama doing today?”
“Nervous.” Elsie cradles her middle. She sneaks glances at me, but I can’t look her in the eye. Not when I’m so angry I could punch a hole in the wall.
“It’s normal to be nervous.” Everly takes a few minutes to explain the process and how long it will take.
I zone out. My eyes are triggered on Elsie’s baby bump as my mind takes the time to register that the baby is mine. It’s hard to let it sink in when betrayal keeps pushing through.
Why did they lie to me? And who was in on the lie? Do my folks know? Is the entire town in the loop? Or only Lena? Does everyone think I’d make that shitty of a father?Or is it just the two people I love the most in the world.
And I love Elsie, which makes her harboring this lie from me all the more difficult to process. Sammy has been pushing me away from the day of the baby-daddy reveal. Because it’s certainly harder to take something when there’s no threat. I’m the threat.
“How does that sound?” Everly’s calming tone relaxes Elsie’s shoulders, and a small smile sits on her lips.
“Easy.” She meets my eyes, and my heart fuckingbreaks.
Everly chuckles. “Good, let’s meet this little one.”
“Can’t wait to meet this little one.” This time I keep my eyes on Elsie. “I wonder if it’ll look like his mom or dad.”
Elsie’s chest rises with deep breaths.
“Can you lift your blouse for me and push your pants under your bump?” Everly picks up a tube. “I lost twenty bucks at your baby-daddy reveal. I was convinced Silver would be the father.”
“You weren’t the only one.” Lena’s remark has both Elsie and Sammy shooting her nasty looks.
I nearly swallow my tongue. “Is it hot in here? I’m fucking hot.” I rub the back of my neck.
“Maybe you should wait outside,” Sammy suggests.
“Maybe you should wait outside,” I snap.
“I’d love to wait outside,” Elsie adds as Everly rubs gel over her exposed stomach.
“No one’s waiting outside,” Lena intervenes.
“The gel helps the sound waves travel through your skin.” Everly hovers the ultrasound wand above Elsie’s stomach. “Everyone ready?”
Elsie nods and squeezes her sister’s hand. I’d been prepared to show my brother support, but screw him.
