Three

The fire in her gut was nothing compared to the pinpricks that flooded her skin. God, she didn’t need to have Jon in her life again. Not even for a moment in time. Why couldn’t it be a cop, a good Samaritan, an unhelpful asshole that just wanted to make sure she was alive? Anyone but him.

Christ, she hadn’t seen Jon since Richie’s birthday party the year before. And even then, she’d avoided him. She knew it was small of her, hiding in the circle of overzealous family members that wanted to talk of old times, pinch her cheeks and tell her how much she’d grown. Anything was preferable to facing Jon.

Overbearing, annoying, bossy, cocky…sexy in a way he shouldn’t be, distracting as hell, and if that wasn’t bad enough, his eyes were so clear and blue they distracted her as much as they soaked her damn panties. How were you supposed to act around someone that made you want to slap and kiss him at the same time? Oh and to add to the already slippery cliff—he was her brother’s best friend and boss.

“Christ.”

“You’re not going to win this conversation, James.”

Dragging herself back to the topic at hand, she ignored the twinge at her side. “I’m over the age of consent. You just need to get back into your little car and drive away. Thanks for chasing Jerry away. I appreciate it, but I’m fine.”

“Really and just how are you going to get to this gig? Walk?”

“I’m sure I can flag down a helpful type that won’t ask questions.”

His eyes blazed. “And what if that nutjob comes back? You gonna let Jerry take care of you?”

“I can handle Jerry.”

“Right, I can see that.” He stepped forward, turning her back to him and the entire world went black as the pain plowed into her. He caught her before she hit the ground. “Goddammit, Jamison!”

“I’m fine,” she managed through the slicing pain.

He swung her up into his arms and staggered back a step. “Christ, you’re not light.”

“Are you saying I’m fat!” she screeched through the roaring in her head.

“No, you’re just too fucking tall.”

“And you’re built like a twelve year old boy.”

“A twelve year old boy you just propositioned ten minutes ago.” He steadied her, then headed for his car.

It took a few grunts and another trip through Black Dots Town before he got her in the car. The spots that had started as little polka dots, now took over most of her vision. The pain was nothing like she’d ever experienced.

The car ride was endless as she clutched her belly. “Okay, so maybe I got banged up a little more than I thought.”

“A little? Christ, you’re not even the right color. You’re grey.” He swerved into a narrow lane, parking crooked. She tried to focus, but only managed to see the wide black letters that said MERGE. The rest was blocked by impossibly huge blonde hair. A nurse? Were they at a club? “Help!” Jon called out to the woman and the rest of the word materialized.

“Dammit, Jon, I said no hospital.”

Ignoring her, he rounded the car and opened the door. “Okay, the nurse went to get somebody.”

She squeezed his hand, dragging him down. “Don’t you call Richie! He’ll freak out. Just call Steph.”

He frowned down at her. “I’m calling your parents.”

“No!” She bent forward as her belly went from slicing to burn.

“Fuck that, James. You can hate me later.”

What felt like a squadron of people came and surrounded the car, lifting her, depositing her on a gurney. There was one more jostling crunch and then epic pain was all she remembered.

Then nothing.