ChapterSix
Bishop
My alarm hasn’t gone off yet, but I’ve been awake for almost an hour watching Harley sleep.It’s one of the only times her guard is down.Gone is the tough girl who refuses to let anyone see the softness inside of her.In it’s place is a girl with the serenity of not having a care in the world.
She’s smiling and I can’t help but wonder what’s going on in her mind.Maybe it’s a dream about us, at least I hope it is.Tucking my arm around her neck, I pull her closer, inhaling her scent and letting it wash over me.If there’s one thing in this world that will put me at ease, it’s knowing she’s right beside me.Her smell is intoxicating and all I need to remind me that I’m home.
“Why are you watching me?”Her voice is thick with sleep, one eye open as she squints toward where I’m staring at her.
Dropping a kiss to her forehead, I inhale deeply.“Thinking about how lucky I am to have you in my life.”
Harley chuckles and a smile spreads across her face.“Me being pregnant has made you soft.”
Nudging my hips against her ass, I lean over, whispering in her ear.“Nothing about me is soft, darlin’.”
Turning over in my arms, she grins up at me.“Let’s see how you think when I’ve gained about forty pounds and can’t touch my feet.I’ll need your help to put my shoes on.”
“Whatever it takes, know I’m going to be here.I’m getting a chance to change all the things I’ve always wanted to,” I promise, reminding her of where I came from.
“You don’t have to be so cognizant of it, though.It’s okay for us to do what we feel is the best.We don’t always have to be righting some wrong.We can just be, Bishop.”
“It doesn’t feel like it.I walk around every day with the last name of my dad and I know what a fucker he was.I absolutely don’t want to be that man.”
She runs her hands up my stomach and chest, clasping her arms around my neck.“You’re not your father and I want you to stop talking about it right now.I’ve had enough of it.”Her voice is stern.“There’s to be no negativity here.If you really need to talk about it, then I’m here, but please know you’re different.You’re not the man you think he raised you to be.You’re the man I know you to be.”
My throat is tight as I think about what she’s said.“I’m gonna try to be that man.”
“You don’t have to try, Bishop.You are.”
Wrapping my arms around her, I drop a kiss to her lips.“With you believing in me, there’s no way I’ll not make this work.”
“I love you, Erickson.”
“Love you too, Walker.I’m gonna head out to get my sweat on.You need anything before I leave?”
A saucy grin spreads across her face.“Just that bare ass as you get out of bed.”
“Then take a good look baby; I’ll give you a show.”
She giggles as I push the covers back, slowly giving her what she wants.The happy sound going straight to my heart.
I’m heavy into my workout this morning, counting the reps as I do sit-ups at a frantic pace.I’m so zoned I don’t even notice when someone else comes into the gym.It’s not until Caelin says something to me that I recognize he’s there.
“How are you?”He asks as he glances at me with a knowing gaze.
“I’m good.”
“Are you sure?”He grins slightly.“I know I’d be freaking the fuck out.”
I laugh, shaking my head.“I guess Justice told you?”
He scrunches his nose, giving me a look of innocence.“Like she wouldn’t?We tell each other everything.”
Looking around to make sure we’re the only ones in the gym, I begin to speak.“Yeah, I am freaking the fuck out but, at the same time, I’m excited.I don’t know how to explain it. It’s something I wanted that I didn’t realize I wanted until she was pregnant.”
“You’ve still gotta confirm it though, right?”Caelin asks.
“No, we found out for sure yesterday.We’re definitely having a baby and now I have to figure out how to tell Drew and Charity.Although I’m more scared about telling Charity.”I laugh.