Total pages in book: 189
Estimated words: 181808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 909(@200wpm)___ 727(@250wpm)___ 606(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 909(@200wpm)___ 727(@250wpm)___ 606(@300wpm)
“On the other hand, Shade could drive you, and we’ll call you when the baby is born,” Kendra countered.
“If I die from a concussion, it’s going to be your fault.”
Larissa came to his side to peer at his head. “Where does it hurt?”
Kendra crossed her arms over her chest. “He isn’t hurt; he’s faking it.”
Lana came to his other side. “I don’t think he’s faking it. I think he’s having Couvade syndrome.”
Growing worried at the way Larissa and Lana were looking at him, he leaned back in the chair to lay his head back. “We need to go to the hospital,” he begged.
“Don’t worry.” Lana patted his arm. “You’ll better as soon as the baby’s born.”
“I’ll be dead by then,” he groaned. “That syndrome sounds bad. What is it?”
“It’s fake sympathy pains, moron,” Kendra huffed out in exasperation.
“What’s wrong with Moon?” Priss asked when she walked back into the room.
“What isn’t?” Kendra answered mockingly.
If Priss weren’t blocking his sight, he would have given the bitch a gesture her old ass would have been able to recognize.
“Behave, Mom.” Larissa nodded toward the pump in Priss’ hands. “See if that will work on the pool.”
Priss plugged the air mattress’ air pump in, and after several adjustments, the low hum of the motor filled the room.
“It’s working!” Priss yelled.
“Yay.” Slumping back further into the chair, Moon wanted to cry.
“Ow.” Larissa pressed a hand to her abdomen, bending over.
“Oh God!” Moon shouted.
“Oh my God.” Kendra gave him a disgusted face. “Larissa, I have several reservations about your taste in men.”
Larissa patted him on the shoulder. “I think it’s cute. Do you need anything, Moon?”
“Something cold to drink would be nice.” His throat was as dry as the desert.
“Mom, would you get Moon a glass of orange juice? I think it would help him feel better.”
Kendra’s brows furrowed. “Are you serious?”
Larissa nodded. “Please. I wouldn’t mind some lemon water, too.”
There’s no way I’m drinking anything she gives me, he thought.
“Am I the only one hot?” Frantically, Moon started fanning his face harder. “Lana, you’re standing next to the control. Turn it down.”
“Moon, is Shade still here?”
Moon nodded at Larissa eagerly. “Yes. You finally ready to go to the hospital?”
“No. I want you to go downstairs and sit with him for a while. The baby won’t be here for hours. Take a break.”
“I’m not leaving your side …” Moon hunched over and grabbed his stomach. He felt as if he had been hit in the gut with a bowling ball. He broke out in a cold sweat. “Turn the air conditioner off. It’s freezing in here,” he complained.
Lana and Larissa simultaneously yelled, “Shade!”
The sneaky bastard must have been listening in the hallway because it didn’t take him but a hot second before he stepped into the room.
“You need some assistance?”
“Yeah,” Moon started before the women could. “Convince her to go to the hospital before I die.”
Larissa gave Shade a pleading look. “Could you please help Priss fill the pool then convince Moon to go to the living room until I need him?”
“Be glad to.”
The whole time Shade filled the pool, Moon was determined to keep his ass exactly where it was … right until Shade finished and he was dealing with more excruciating pain in his stomach than he had experienced in his whole life. He didn’t have any strength left to fight the brother when Shade took his arm and lifted him from the chair.
“How have you gone through this three times?” Forced to lean the majority of his weight on him or risk falling, he let Shade usher him out of the room.
“I better be the one who cuts the umbilical cord!” Moon shouted over his shoulder. “Or there’s going to be hell to pay.”
“Brother, you don’t have the strength to cut a fart, much less the umbilical cord.”
“Watch me. I just need to get some fresh air. Take me to the dining room and open the sliding doors.”
Shade settled him at the table before opening the sliding door, allowing a small breeze inside. “Better?”
Moon nodded. “I think I have a concussion.”
Shade’s lips twisted wryly. “So I heard. Why are you holding your stomach?”
“I think Larissa’s mother poisoned my breakfast.”
“Brother, you need to get a grip.”
“I will once the baby is here, safe and sound.”
“I’ve got bad news for you. It only gets worse after they’re here.”
“God …” Moon moaned in pain, clutching his stomach. “Don’t tell me that. I won’t survive.”
Shade went to the kitchen to get the juice Kendra had set there before going back in with Larissa.
Seeing Shade was about to bring it to him, Moon shook his head. “I don’t trust she didn’t put anything in it.”
Shade took a drink, making a face when he put the glass back down. “Poison might make it taste better.”
Moon threw an angry glance toward the bedroom. “Bitch knows I hate that no-sugar shit.”