“Tia?” Ranger asks, looking amused. He throws his head back and laughs. “No, she definitely isn’t a Wind Dragon chick, she’s now sole property of the Wild Men.”
My brow furrows in confusion. “First, women aren’t property, asshole, and second, what?”
“You didn’t know about her and Talon?”
I open my mouth, then close it. Then, a big smile spreads on my face. “About time he settled down.”
I can’t wait to hear that story.
“I told Talon he should’ve let you hang around us more. Maybe we could’ve kept a good one for ourselves,” he says, lifting his feet up on the coffee table.
I roll my eyes, resting my chin on my hand. “I feel like the Wild Men live a more bachelor lifestyle. I’ve never even met any of their old ladies. To be honest, I’ve only ever seen a few women there and I’m pretty sure they were groupies.”
Maybe things will change now that Tia and Talon are together.
“Groupies? That’s a nice name for them.”
“I’m a nice person.”
“Exactly,” he says, studying me. “You are, and Talon didn’t tell me why you’re here and not with your man, but obviously something is going on. I know you’re a Wind Dragon, but you’ll always have a place here with us too.”
“I thought it didn’t work like that,” I tease, my eyes gentling as the kind words pour from his mouth.
“Special circumstances,” he says, grinning. “You’re Talon’s family, which means you’re ours. It’s simple. Plus, you apparently have good taste in TV shows.”
I pick up a carrot and dip it. “And you apparently have good taste in snacks and dips.”
He chuckles and glances over at me before returning to the TV. “You’ll be fine, Shayla. Whatever is it, whatever this asshole has done, you will be fine.”
“How do you know?” I ask him, resting my hand on my flat stomach. It won’t be flat for much longer.
“Because you’re strong,” he says simply, like it’s a fact.
“You don’t know me well enough to make that statement,” I say, arching my brow. “You probably only know what Talon has told you.”
“I know,” he states.
I look into his beautiful, captivating eyes and see that he believes what he’s saying. “How long can you hang out?”
“I have nothing better to do today, if that’s what you’re asking. Why? Is that a hint to leave or to stay?”
“Well, I wouldn’t be opposed to some company,” I say, shrugging. “It keeps my mind off things, and like you, I have nothing better to do today.”
“Supernatural marathon is it,” he says, stretching his arms above his head. “Let me guess, you’re a Dean fan.”
“Naturally,” I say, smirking.
He stands up and says, “Want some ice cream?”
I nod.
Yeah, Ranger isn’t a bad guy at all.
* * *
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he calls through the door. “I’d love to hold your hair back, but the sounds you’re making are making me want to gag too.”
I stand up from the toilet, feeling like utter shit, and Ranger is not helping. “I’m fine!”
I wash my face, brush my teeth again, and then sit on the bathtub, just in case I feel like throwing up again. After a few minutes of being okay, I leave the bathroom and sit back down in my chair.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I say, leaning my head back. “If this is what it’s going to be like for the next few months, my life is going to be hell.”
And it was only my first time getting morning sickness. It wasn’t even morning anymore, so that title is obviously false advertising.
“Eat some crackers or toast,” he advises, typing on his phone. “Let me search what you need to do to handle the nausea.”
He’s researching for me? Now that is cute.
“Imagine going through all this while having another child to look after, or having to work or study as well. It would seriously suck.”
I have a new respect for Faye and other mothers all over the world. This stuff is no walk in the park, although I know it’s going to be worth it, and I know that it’s going to make me a stronger person.
“Whatever you do,” he murmurs, cringing. “Do not look up childbirth.”
Great, just great.
“Why are you looking at that? Getting a little far ahead there.”