Rush (Carolina Bad Boys, #5)(44)

I wheeled Shy into the room, which was—somehow—already filled with flowers and balloons.

Ashe sat in the bed with her daughter snuggled in her arms. She looked tired but radiant at the same time.

Brodie patted me on the back. “You get first viewing. Nice one, dude.”

I could tell he was trying to be cool, but his voice shook, and he quickly knuckled beneath his eyes before gathering the tiny, pink-faced baby in his arms.

“Wanna hold her?” he asked, unable to tear his gaze from the newest, littlest Steele.

“Don’t think we should. You know. Shy’s infection and everything.”

“Okay, okay.” He rocked the little sweetie gently in his arms, his voice dropping low. “She’s freakin’ precious. Can’t believe she’s finally here.” Leaning over the bed, he kissed Ashe softly on the lips. “You done so good, babe.”

“Not too bad yourself, Brodie.” Ashe caressed the curve of his jaw.

A lump grew in my throat, and I looked down to see Shy’s watery smile.

“Well, what’s her name, proud papa?” I asked.

As soon as I voiced the question, baby girl’s mouth popped open to emit one loud squall before she settled back to sleep in her daddy’s arms.

“Roxanna Rebecca Steele.” Brodie patted her on the rump, brimming with paternal pride. “But I’m just gonna call her Rockstar.”

“Have fun with that once the boys start hanging around her.” I grinned.

“Boys? Screw that. There will be no boys for my little rockstar. Ever.” He pushed his thumb into the little lady’s tiny grip.

“Foxy Roxy? Just sayin’.” I smirked.

Brodie’s head shot up, and he glared at me. “Good point. Changing her name to Agnes.”

Ashe smacked him lightly on his side. “We’ll do no such thing. And if you’re not careful her name’s going to be Roxanna Rebecca Kingston.”

“Kingston?” Shy asked.

“My last name.” Ashe pinned her gaze on Brodie.

Brodie shuffled his big feet.

“Uh. Yeah. Brodie popped the question last year, but he still hasn’t married Ashe yet,” I explained.

“Oh dear!” Shy’s lips curled together, she was probably trying not to laugh, watching the big bad biker dude go all sheepish.

“Exactly,” Ashe agreed.

“Gonna fix that soon.” Brodie nuzzled his nose against baby Roxy’s.

“Dude. Your house is dominated by females,” I said, very entertained by the idea.

Ashe sure as hell wasn’t a pushover, and Cara—their ten-year-old—often claimed to be more mature than her adoptive dad.

“Yeah. I don’t think I’ll hate it too much.” Shrugging, Brodie grinned. “’Sides. I’ve still got Twatson the cat on my side.”

We didn’t hang around too much longer, just enough to seep in the vibe of new baby and happy family. I managed to get Shy out of there before the rest of the dudes descended en masse.

“She’s adorable.” Shy sighed.

“I think she’s gonna end up giving them a run for their money.” I rubbed my fingertips along Shy’s neck. “You all right?”

Leaning her head back, she looked up at me. “I think that was just what the doctor ordered.”

****

Shy had checked herself into the hospital so getting home was no problem with her car on the premises. And I didn’t worry about my Harley—one of the dudes would figure it out for me and get the bike wherever I needed it.

After I settled Shy on the couch in her condo, I took her bag through to the bedroom. Hadn’t realized she always kept a go-bag in case of medical emergencies.

The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

I tried to set my fear aside, returning to bring her a glass of water to go with her antibiotics.

She looked at the pills with disgust, her thigh propped up on a cushion.

I settled behind her with her back resting against my chest. “You hungry?”

“No.”

Smoothing the little waves that clung to her temples, I murmured against her ear, “Tired?”

“Are you my caretaker now?” Shy awkwardly scooted away from me.

Bringing my legs off the edge of the sofa, I hung my hands between my thighs. “I’m whatever you need me to be, Shy. I want to take care of you, ya know?”

“Why don’t you just get me my crutches and go home.” Her chin jutted, and she refused to look at me when I swung my gaze to her. “I didn’t want you to have to get stuck with an invalid girlfriend, Max.”

She shielded her leg from my sight, throwing a blanket across her lap.

“First you’re planning our family, and now you’re my girlfriend.” I grinned, snaking an arm around her shoulder.

Shy could fight this thing between us and make it seem like she was doing me a favor cutting me loose, but that shit was a no-go as far as I was concerned.

I snorted when she continued to ignore me. “Damn, woman, you move fast, don’t you?”

Her small smile at my teasing quickly dissolved, and her gray eyes were bleaker than ever when she finally met my gaze. “I’m serious. You shouldn’t have to see me like this. Shouldn’t have to come to the hospital. We can’t have a normal family, might never have children of our own, and I don’t want you here if it’s because you pity me!”