Chapter 11

“Oh fuck.” I lift my head, seeing Gabi fall into the booth beside me, immediately dropping her head on my shoulder. “I feel like I’m gonna pass out.”

A laugh bubbles out of me as she squeezes her eyes closed, and the girls all smile in amusement at ger state. “You might want to go easy,” I suggest, knowing it’s no use since the chance of her listening to me is slim to none.

She shakes her head, her face screwing up. “No fucking way,” she says, lifting her head, and squaring her shoulders. “This is my bachelorette party, I’m not going to sit around and rest .” She makes a disgusted expression, and lifts out of the booth, tugging on my hand. “Come on. You’re coming to dance with me.”

My brows tug together because… I really do not want to get up on that dancefloor and dance when I’m about to pop. “Why not Madi or Rosie?” I ask her, subtly widening my eyes at the girls, begging them to take my place.

Gabi, however, shakes her head. “Rosie can’t dance,” she says, casting an apologetic look at Rosie, “sorry, but it’s true.” Rosie raises her brows in shock, but Gabi continues. “And Madi’s already been out there with me, but you haven’t.”

My eyes narrow down at her. “Did you forget I’m pregnant?” I ask, raising my brow at her. “I can’t move like you,” I say, gesturing to my protruding belly .

She shoots me a dry look. “If you can fuck your husband all damn day, then you can dance a little at my bachelorette party.”

Damn it . “Fine,” I huff, sliding out of the booth—not well, might I add—until I stand, and barely have time to catch my breath before Gabi tugs me onto the dancefloor, hundreds of people moving to the beat of the music, surrounding me.

“Come on,” Gabi says, spinning around to face me before her hands drift to my hips. “Move your hips, grandma. Have some fun. You need this.”

My eyes narrow down at her. “Who the hell are you calling a grandma?”

Gabi snickers, a glint shining in her eyes. “You’re right. My grandma can dance better than you.”

I let out a scoff, and start to move my hips to the music like she instructed me to, because the girl is bossy as hell, and won’t stop pestering me until she gets what she wants.

The music is good, and the room is dark and loud, and it’s pretty fun.

Until someone bumps into me, and I’m reminded of why I hate places like this. A groan leaves my lips when I’m pushed toward Gabi, and I squint down at her. “I’d much rather be lying in bed smothered by snacks right now.”

She laughs a little, and rolls her eyes. “Sounds so fun,” she says, sarcasm dripping from her tone.

“Maybe not for someone like you,” I tell her with a shrug. “But for someone who’s pregnant, and dying to take a nice hot bath, it sounds like a dream. ”

Gabi keeps her eyes on me for a second, and then lets out a sigh. “It’s just… this is the last time I’ll get to do something like this,” she says. “I want to enjoy it.”

My brows dip in confusion. “What the hell are you talking about?” I ask her. “You’re getting married, not dying.” When she shoots me a look, I let out a laugh, and continue. “Besides, Rosie will be getting married soon, and you’ll have her bachelorette party to attend.”

Gabi lets out a scoff. “Please. We both know her bachelorette party is going to be big, and expensive and beautiful just like she is. I just wanted one last night to have fun in a trashy, loud club with my girls,” she says, her expression sincere as her lips curl into a smile.

I place my arm on her shoulder. “I promise this won’t be the last time you get drunk and dance in a club,” I tell her. “And I’d love to do that with you another time, but right now… I need to sit down,” I say with a mixture of a groan and a cry. “My feet are hurting, and I’m tired, and… please .”

Gabi snickers, and looks behind my shoulder, making me turn around. Rosie smiles at us, and flashes me a wink. “Madi went to the bathroom, and I’m bored. So, I’m taking over,” she says, holding a glass with pink liquid as she moves to the beat—badly, very, very badly—but Gabi doesn’t seem to mind, letting out a laugh as she grabs Rosie’s hand.

“Thank you,” I mouth, letting out a heavy breath before heading back to the empty booth, my feet throbbing when I finally sit down.

My head snaps to the side when I hear a buzzing, and reach into my bag, seeing Aiden’s name flashing on the screen. My lips immediately turn into a smile when I open his text, reading the words over and over again.

Aiden: I miss you like crazy.

I let out a laugh as I quickly type out a text, and hit send.

Leila: I was with you less than an hour ago.

Aiden: And that’s way too fucking long. Please tell me you can come see me? I need to kiss you.

A smile spreads across my face, and I lift my head, searching the crowd until I see Gabi and Rosie dancing together, both of them looking as drunk as each other. Letting out a laugh, I lower my head, and type out a text.

Leila: If you think Gabi will let me leave her bachelorette party, you really don’t know her.

Aiden : You can sneak out like we used to do when we first got together.

My smile widens at the memories of being a sophomore and sneaking around with Aiden Pierce. Secret hookups, and having to hide it in front of our friends was kind of fun, like we had our own little world whenever we were together. It’s still so crazy how far we’ve come since then, how back then, I never could have imagined I’d be married to the man of my dreams and carrying his second child.

Leila : We’re too old for that now. And I’m too pregnant to be sneaking around.

Aiden : Don’t give me that bullshit, gorgeous. We’re not even thirty yet. Don’t make me feel like a middle-aged dad.

Leila : But you are a dad. The best dad .

Aiden : And I’m still young. We’re still young and fun, and I want to see you right fucking now.

I tug my bottom lip between my teeth, my smile widening with each second I stare at his message.

Aiden : Come on, baby. I really fucking miss you. Just let me kiss you for a bit, and then you can go back.

His offer is tempting as hell, and I can’t pretend that the idea of sneaking around isn’t fun, but when I see Madi walking toward the booth, I know I can’t leave.

I love Aiden, but this night is for my girls. No matter how tired I am, I’m sticking around with my girls.

Leila : I can’t. Sorry. See you tonight. I’ll make it worth it.

Aiden : You’re torturing me, baby.

Leila : You still love me, though.

Aiden : That, I fucking do.

“Was that Aiden?” Madi asks, sliding into the booth in front of me when I place my phone back into my purse.

I nod, letting out a sigh. “He wanted me to sneak out to meet up with him,” I admit.

A laugh spills out of her lips as she arches a brow. “Gabi would never let that happen.”

I shake my head, laughing. “I know,” I agree. “Why the hell did I think we would have a mellow night, tonight?”

Madi shakes her head, reaching out to grab her drink before taking a sip. “At least there aren’t any strippers,” she points out with a smirk.

“Yet,” I reply with a shake of my head. “The night is still early, and I’m already really tired.”

“I bet,” she says, a soft laugh leaving her as her eyes drift down to my belly. Her smile slips as she keeps her eyes on it, and my brows furrow.

“Is everything okay?” I ask her, wondering why she’s staring at my belly so hard. I glance down, trying to see if there are any stains. “Do I have something on my clothes, or— ”

“No,” Madi says with a chuckle. “No. I was just wondering.”

“About?” I ask her.

She holds eye contact for a while, and then lets out a sigh. “What is it like being pregnant?”

Ah . I can see how much Madi and Lucas want kids, and the fact that it hasn’t happened for them yet, when I’m already on my second, must be hard.

“Horrible,” I say, trying to lighten the mood. Madi laughs at my answer, and arches a brow, knowing I’m lying. “I’m kidding. It’s amazing,” I admit with a sigh. “Having my baby growing inside of me is inexplicable. I love feeling her grow and turn into a little human.”

“Her?” Madi asks with a smirk.

“Damn it,” I groan, my eyes fluttering closed. “It’s all Aiden’s fault. He’s convinced the baby is a girl, and now apparently has me saying it’s a girl, too.”

“I actually think it’ll be a girl, too,” she says with a smile.

I roll my eyes. “Am I the only one who bet on the baby being a boy?”

She shakes her head, her dark brown skin glistening from the lights in the club. “No. I think Grayson did, too,” she says. “So, you want a boy?”

I let out a sigh. “I don’t know,” I admit. “I kind of wanted to see a little boy with Aiden’s features. Bright blue eyes, soft brown hair, and I’d love to see him wear a basketball cap like his dad,” I admit with a smile, imagining it. “But two girls… It’s going to be really hard, especially with Aiden being away so often.”

Madi smiles reassuringly, and reaches out to squeeze my hand. “You’re going to do great no matter what,” she says. “You’re an amazing mother, Leila. Nova is adorable, but not only that, she’s kind, and respectful, and the best part of you both.”

My heart squeezes. Even though it’s been hard sometimes, raising Nova to be the girl she is today has been amazing, and I wouldn’t exchange it for anything in the world.

“Thank you,” I say, squeezing her hand. “I think I really needed to hear that. Aiden tells me how amazing I’m doing with her all the time, but sometimes I wonder if it’s just because he wants in my pants,” I joke, letting out a laugh.

A scoff leaves her lips, and she shakes her head. “You know damn well that guy is crazy head over heels for you, and he’d stay celibate for the rest of his life if it meant he got to keep you.”

I let out a groan, my face screwing up. “God forbid,” I say with a shake of my head.

Madeline lets out a laugh, her head turning to the side when she sees Gabi approaching us, Rosie following her.

“You guys are still sitting here?” Gabi asks.

“We’re resting,” Madi replies, dryly. “It’s what normal people do.”

I lift my head when I hear Rosie blowing a raspberry. “Normal is boring,” she says, slurring her words.

“Oh boy,” I say with a laugh. “Grayson’s gonna have a hell of a time dealing with drunk Rosie.”

“I’m not drunk,” Rosie replies with a frown.

Gabi chuckles, shaking her head at us. “She is. ”

I narrow my eyes at Gabi. “Why aren’t you drunk?” I ask her, noting how she’s not acting crazy or loud, like Rosie is right now.

She shrugs with a smirk. “Maybe because I have a higher tolerance than a toddler?” she offers, tugging on my hand. “Now come on. You guys have rested enough. This is my bachelorette party.”

I lift off the booth with a sigh, and roll my eyes. “Lord help me.”

“You’re being so dramatic,” Gabi replies, arching a brow. “Dancing is fun.”

I tilt my head. “Not when I’m pregnant, and tired, and a single cough makes me pee.”

Gabi shivers in disgust, screwing her face up. “Definitely too much information. But regardless, I’m not letting you sit in that booth all night long. It’s my bachelorette party. We need to have some fun.”

I let out a laugh when she tugs my hand, and follow behind, but I freeze, when I feel something I haven’t done in a long time. “Gabi—”

Gabi notices I’m not moving, and glances behind her shoulder, shaking her head. “I’m not letting you make any excuses. Let’s go.”

“Gabi, I really—”

“Uh uh,” she says. “We’re going to dance, and you’re going to love it, and that’s the end of it.”

“ Gabi! ”

She turns around at my raised voice, and her brows dip as she searches my eyes. “What?” she asks, concern etched on her face. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head, glancing down at the wet patch on my pants, and Gabi’s eyes follow, widening at the sight.

Madi sucks in a breath. “Is that …”

I nod, feeling the trickle down my legs. “I think my water just broke.”