Chapter 98
“What has you looking like the devil and the entire hell just paid you a visit p>
I look up and find Gunner standing there, arms folded, his sharp eyes cutting right through me.
“Nothing,” I mutter before downing the rest of my drink in one go. The burn does nothing to ease the storm inside me.
He slides into the seat across from me, his expression unimpressed. “Well, I’d love to believe that, but your face tells me otherwise p>
I lean back in my chair, exhaling roughly. “How the hell did you even know I was here p>
“A little birdie told me,” he replies casually, signaling the bartender for another glass.
I glare at him. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Are you keeping tabs on me now p>
“Think of it however you want,” he says, unbothered as he pours himself a drink. “But I’m not about to let you spiral again p>
I grind my teeth, irritation bubbling in my chest. I get it. I crashed once. I lost control. But that was then. I’m fine now. I don’t need a goddamn babysitter.
Before I can tell him that, a familiar voice cuts through the noise.
“Sorry I’m late p>
My jaw clenches. Of course.
I look up and find Adrian walking toward us, his usual calm expression laced with amusement. 3
“Seriously?” I bite out.
Gunner just grins, leaning back smugly. “I needed reinforcement. Someone who can knock some sense into that thick skull of yours p>
Adrian takes the seat beside him, his gaze flicking between us. “So,” he says, his tone easy but his eyes sharp, what did I miss p>
“Nothing,” I grumble, reaching for the bottle and pouring myself another drink.
Adrian exchanges a look with Gunner, one of those silent conversations.
Perfect. Now I have two babysitters.
(C
We met Adrian back when he was still doing his residency. He was pitching his hospital project, looking for sponsors. Not because he was broke, but because he wanted to curve his own path. Most people don’t know that Adrian’s family name carries serious weight. He just prefers it that way. Loves keeping a low profile, and stays out of the elite spotlight.
He didn’t want his family funding the project either. Said he wanted to build something of his own, without their influence or their money. I respected that. We all did. We’ve been friends ever since. 1
“It’s not nothing,” Gunner says, breaking the silence. “Tell him exactly what you’ve been up to.
I say nothing. My jaw tightens, teeth grinding until it hurts.
“If you’re not going to tell him, then I will,” Gunner adds with that irritating smirk that makes me want to knock him out. “Our dear Noah is going to be a papa again p>
Adrian blinks. “I’m lost… Noah, a father again? Didn’t he swear he’d never love anyone but Chloe p>
“Yes, he did,” Gunner says, his grin widening. “But shit happens. And that’s not even the craziest part. Guess who the mother of his baby is p>
Fuck. I can already feel my blood boiling. Gunner is clearly enjoying himself, and that smugness on his face makes me want to put him through the damn table.
Adrian’s gaze flicks between us, brows furrowed in confusion. “Who p>
“It’s Si,” Gunner says simply.
For a moment, the whole table goes quiet. Adrian just stares at him, his face going through about five different emotions as if he’s trying to process what he just heard.
“Wait…” he finally says, leaning forward. “You’re telling me Noah knocked her up? The same girl who’s been in love with him since you guys were kids? The same girl he rejected again and again? That Si?” 1
“The one and only,” Gunner replies, clearly too damn pleased with himself.
“Fuck me sideways,” Adrian mutters, shaking his head with a half–disbelieving laugh. “How the hell did that even happen? I thought you hated her p>
I don’t answer. Gunner fills him in on everything while I sit there, silently stewing in my anger, my drink untouched now. I’d managed to push the thought of Sierra’s pregnancy to the back of my mind… until now.
“Hold on,” Adrian says when Gunner finishes. “You can’t just tell her to abort the baby, man p>
I glare at him.
He holds up his hands, calm but firm. “I know it’s not really my place, but I’m against abortions. Always have been, well unless it’s an emergency. I love kids. It’s why I became an OB/GYN in the first place p>