Page 131 of Golden Ruin

“Perfect,” he says, already celebrating. “I’ll shoot the itinerary over to you as soon as we’re done here.”

“Sounds good,” I say back, then end the call.

Lexi lifts her head, placing a soft kiss on my chin. “You’ll be home again before you know it.”

I kiss her back. “I know, but with all this shit going on, now feels like the worst time to be away.”

She sits with that, and I appreciate that she doesn’t immediately dismiss my concerns. She and Jax are my world, my responsibility, and nothing comes before that.

“I’ll go because I already gave my word, but the second I get back, I’m shutting down all this gossip bullshit.”

For her.

I’ve dealt with this level of invasiveness since I was drafted, but she shouldn’t have to.

She kisses my cheek this time, and it’s somehow completely sweet and innocent despite what we just did. And while she hasn’t asked me to shield her from all this–the lies, the gossip, the humiliation–my mind’s already made up.

It’s as good as done.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Lexi

The bags and boxes piled high in the passenger seat are loaded, and I’m not just talking about all the gender-neutral onesies and zip-up pajamas. Nor the two huge boxes of newborn diapers, or the horde of bottles and bibs.

Sterling and I definitely checked a ton of items off West and Blue’s gift registry, but when I say loaded, I mean the emotional journey. Those two fought hard to get where they are–to a happy, safe point in their marriage where having a baby doesn’t just add responsibility.

It adds to the love.

I think back on my own pregnancy journey, how important it was that I had a strong support system. And now that it’s Blue’s turn, I want her to feel that too. So, to say that I’m ecstatic about the upcoming celebration, finding out the baby’s gender, and just excited about the baby in general, that would be the understatement of the century.

I pull into Mom and Benny’s driveway. There was no way I could drag Jax through the stores while I shopped, so he got to hang out here for the day. The plan is to get him home and settled, then wrap baby gifts.

Anything to keep my mind off Sterling being gone. I miss him like crazy.

Thinking of him, I take the walkway slowly, checking my phone for a missed call or text. He’s busy, and should only be gone another twenty-four hours, but that feels like a lifetime from now.

Disappointed to see nothing in my notifications but my group text with the girls, I tuck my phone away as I climb the porch steps. I lift my hand to knock, but before I even get the chance, the door swings open. Mom’s smiling at me from across the threshold, but there’s a look etched across her face, just beneath the surface.

Guilt?

Nervousness?

“Hey. Come in,” she says, and already I sense that there’s a vibe.

“Is… everything okay?”

She seems confused why I’d ask that. “Yeah, Jax is just getting his things together. He should be down soon.”

I drop down into the armchair, still eyeing her. I know I’m not imagining this.

“Just tell me what’s up,” I finally say, and when her shoulders slump a little, I know I called it right.

“I… maybe it’s best if I just show you.”

She disappears after that, and it only makes me more curious when I hear a small commotion coming from the next room.

What the hell is she doing in there?