Page 155 of Rebellious

Goddamn. Mom was pregnant. Only certain acts led to that state and that embarrassed Ryan that the same thing he did with girls…ewwwww…

“Ryan, take Jaleena and Skye home. Think about what you’re going to say,” CJ advised. “Ask her if you can tell Devon. Then buy her flowers or a small gift to congratulate her. It’ll make her feel so good to know that you accept it.”

“Suppose I end up with a little sister?” Ryan couldn’t imagine having to watch over a girl. He’d grown up with Rebel, Mattie, and Harley, and all three of then were handfuls. Female cousins were bad enough. The stress of a sister would give him white hair far too early.“I’ll lose my fucking mind.”

“Welcome to my world,” CJ said, smirking.

Ryan looked at Rory. “Why would you blurt my mom’s private business? It was up to her—”

“Dad says women are liars and manipulators,” Rory shrugged. “So—”

Ryan punched Rory in his fucking gut and stomped his goddamn foot. Ignoring Rory’s gasp, he walked the fuck away, leaving the girls to follow if they chose.

When Ryan walked into the house, he was glad he’d given Harley his bedroom, so he wouldn’t run into her and she ask about the big bouquet of flowers he carried.

He wasn’t sure about the protocol of finding out your mom was pregnant, but he knew she’d been sick. Once he dropped off Jaleena and then Skye, he’d gone to the mall and sat in the parking lot, unsure what to do.

Devon texted he was at the bowling alley with a girl in one of his classes. Ryan didn’t ask who. He didn’t really care. Rory’s news left him reeling.

Somewhere he’d heard or read that pregnancy was dangerous for women over thirty-five, so he’d looked it up. The facts frightened him. Afraid and grossed-out, he’d gotten to the florist right before they closed and bought the biggest bouquet available.

Ryan glanced down the hallway, inhaling the flowers. As he headed toward the private access road, he’d seen Dad’s bike parked at the club. He breathed a sigh of relief at his father’s convenient absence. Yet, he didn’t want Pops around when Ryan talked to Mom. He might judge or…or…something.

Unable to put into words why he felt so relieved that his father was at the club, Ryan hurried to his parents’ room and knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Mom’s strong voice relieved Ryan. He opened the door, lifted the vase, and walked in, carrying it as a peace offering.

“Ryan?” She sounded shocked.

Setting the flowers down on the dresser, he turned and found his mother dressed in a pair of green pajamas, sitting in her rocking chair. It was the one she’d had in his and Devon’s nursery. She gaped at the bouquet. “What are those for?”

“Uh…” Rocking on his feet, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “Rory told me.”

She pulled her gaze away from his gift and narrowed her whiskey-colored eyes. “What did Rory tell you?”

“Uh, Mattie told him and, uh, I-I don’t think she expected him to open his mouth.”

Disappointment dragged down Mom’s features.

It made Ryan wished he’d punched that motherfucker in his big fucking mouth.

“He told you about the baby?” she asked, sniffling.

Horrified, Ryan rushed to her and kneeled in front of her, grabbing her hands in his. “I bought the flowers to congratulate you.”

She blinked. Everyone always said how gorgeous Aunt Meggie and Aunt Kendall was, but his mother was, too. “You aren’t upset?” she asked, more vulnerable than he’d ever seen her.

He hugged her. “Even if I was, there’s not much I can do.”

“This pregnancy has already been difficult,” she said, returning his embrace. “I didn’t want to add to the stress. I just couldn’t think of a way to tell you and Devon.”

“Don’t worry about us,” Ryan said, straightening, glad he removed the burden from her mind. “Our concern is you.”

She smiled at him. “Thank you, son. I needed to hear that. I’ll tell Devon in the morning.”

Somehow, he didn’t think Devon would be as understanding. He shook his head. “Wait until you feel better. Once he realizes you’re fine, news about the baby won’t worry him.”