Page 94 of Gunner

“Because Claudia needs to clarify some stuff for me.”

“You earmarked the book?”

“So I don’t get sidetracked.”

“It’s not a damn exam, Gunner. You don’t have to study for my pregnancy.”

“Not studying. Learning. Big difference.”

“Really?”

“Leave him alone, Sarah,” Bailey chuckled, reclining in the chair next to Beth, drinking a cup of coffee, who was sitting next to her daughter. “He’s on the cusp of a freakout. If he blows, I win two hundred dollars.”

“Can I get some of that action?” Beth chuckled.

Apparently, today’s visit was a family affair. The only one missing was Mike, because he was covering the coffee shop. As for my brothers, well, those assholes were all outside, loitering around, waiting for me to freak the fuck out. It didn’t matter how many times I told them I was good with everything, they still had a running bet that I was going to lose my shit at some point.

Fuckers had no faith.

“Mrs. Sarah Montclair!”

“Here!” I shouted, jumping to my feet.

“Not you, you idiot,” Bailey moaned, helping Sarah to her feet. “And put your damn hand down. This isn’t a fucking classroom.”

Beth just shook her head as she walked by.

What? I was just making sure my babydoll didn’t get passed over.

She needed this appointment badly.

“How are you feeling, Sarah?” my niece Jess asked, as she ushered all of us into a room.

“She’s sick. Like Linda Blair in the Exorcist sick. It’s horrible, Jess. She’s puking everywhere!”

All four women slowly turned to me and I immediately shut the hell up.

“I’ve been a little sick,” Sarah lied, her cute little ass off.

I gasped in horror. “A little sick! Woman, you don’t keep anything down. You puke morning, noon and night. The fucking air makes you throw up! The book says...”

“Bailey?” Beth whispered.

“On it.”

I flinched when my brother’s woman took a step towards me. She had that look in her eyes. The one that said I was about to get my ass beat if I didn’t shut the hell up. Backing up a few steps, I wasn’t fast enough because before I knew what was happening, Bailey ripped my book out of my hand and flung it towards the waiting room before she pointed her little finger in my face. “You will say nothing. You are here to observe silently. Got me?”

Gulping, I nodded.

Doing as I was told, I followed the women in the exam room.

“Alright Sarah, hop up on the table and let’s see if we can hear a heartbeat. Just raise your top for me.”

Sarah did as Jess instructed while I stood beside her, watching intently as Jess grabbed a contraption that looked like a mini karaoke machine with a microphone. After squirting a little jelly on the tip, Jess placed the microphone on Sarah’s belly and started moving it around. Instantly the room filled with this very fast whooshing sound. Smiling, I grabbed Sarah’s hand as I listened to the sound of my kid’s heartbeat.

It was real.

This was really happening.