Uncomplicated: A Vegas Girl's Tale (21 page)

“Don’t be. We can always come back anytime you want to.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

What the hell was Jude thinking when he got in the car with Lori? Was he trying to kill himself and her? Fine if he was hell bent on hurting himself, but did he not care who he took down with him? Was he that fucking desperate to get Jennifer’s attention?

All of these questions rang through my mind as we sat in the cold sterile waiting area of the Emergency Room, patiently waiting for the doctor to tell us what the hell was going on. Jennifer was frantically talking to Nora in the corner, as they held each other’s hands. No doubt pulling strength from one and other. They both desperately needed it.

Nora’s usually perfectly styled blonde hair was wild and unkempt like she had been awake all night. I had no doubt that no one had slept. I know for a fact, Jennifer didn’t.

“I’m so sorry.”

My back stiffened at Nora’s quiet words.

“I told Jude to drive Lori home. He only had a couple of drinks. I thought he was fine, but he must have had more than I thought. Oh God, Jenny. It’s my fault,” the woman sobbed.

Jennifer shook her head and wrapped her arms around her best friend, whispering in her ear.

“Hey boss.”

I looked up and nodded as Dean sat beside me. My bodyguard, my best friend, was sporting blue jeans and a black leather jacket. The guy was dressed casual and it threw me for a second.

“Problem?”

I shook my head. “No. Just not used to seeing you out of a suit.”

Dean chuckled and scrubbed a hand down his face. “It’s been a long night.”

“I bet,” I said and clapped a hand on the guy’s shoulder.

“It’s a fucking mess, Mathis.”

My heart raced at the gruffness of his voice. Was Lori going to make it? Was Jude? God, it would destroy Jennifer if she lost either of them. I had to get over the fact that Jude was a big part of her life. As much as I hated the guy, I was man enough to know and respect that. It has just taken me time to get here.

“Are you family?”

We all turned to a large man standing at the entrance to the waiting room. Bags lined under his eyes and he pulled at the collar around his throat. He looked tired and miserable. The only way I knew he was a doctor was by the white lab coat he was wearing.

Nora rose to her feet. “Yes.”

The doctor frowned but nodded once. “They’re both stable and resting.”

A unison sigh erupted around the room.

“They’re fine?” Nora asked, bringing a shaky hand up to her mouth. Jennifer came up behind her and placed her hand on the woman’s shoulders.

The doctor nodded. “Yes. Mr. Emerson had the most injuries but they’re both resting. You can see them once they regain consciousness ...”

“Oh thank you, Doctor” the women said at the same time.

Served Jude fucking right. I hated to say it or even think it, but it looked good on him. With all the shit I did in my life, drinking and driving was not one of them.

Jennifer sat down beside me and grabbed onto my arm, pulling it onto her lap. She took a shaky breath. “I can’t believe Jude did this.”

I bit back a scoff. At first, I couldn’t either but if he was that desperate, it didn’t really surprise me. I can’t even begin to think what kind of shit I would pull if Jennifer walked away from me, so in a way I couldn’t blame the guy, even if it bothered me.

“I’m gonna fucking rip him a new one,” she mumbled.

Dean and I chuckled.

“Oh we know, love,” I said, kissing her hair.

I watched as Nora sat on the other side of the room and stifled a sob. I frowned and elbowed Dean. Could he really be that oblivious to her pain?

He grunted.

“Trouble in paradise?” I whispered.

He sighed. “Not talking about it.”

Hmm...interesting.

“Nora,” Dean barked.

She looked our way and glared at him.

“Come here,” he demanded.

She huffed and sat beside him.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, whispering in her ear.

I didn’t know what had happened but I hoped for the best they could work it out or forget their issue for the time being. The girls needed us. And when Jude woke up, he better pray he had a good explanation for the shit he pulled.

T
HIS IS
M
OTHERHOOD?

(Jenny)

I sat at Lori’s bedside for hours. Doctors and nurses came in and out, running tests and checking on her condition, but I couldn’t move. I wouldn’t move until she woke up and knew I was there for her, no matter what. The elephant in the room remained, the poor baby boy which Nora was taking care of in my penthouse right this minute. I wanted to rush home and tend to him myself, but I had too much to do first.

The door opened and Dean stood in the doorway with a pissed off look on his face.

“Jude is awake. I’ll sit with Lori.” Before I could form a single thought, I jumped from the shitty wooden chair and stalked in the direction of his ICU room. The click of my heels echoed through the hallway, until I found myself outside of his door. The heavy wooden door was cracked open and I could hear the medical staff asking him a series of questions.

As much as I didn’t want to calm down, I had to. If I didn’t pull my shit together, I was going to be removed from the hospital in handcuffs. Although, that could totally make for an awesome story someday. Jude wasn’t worth it.

I slowly slid through the door and made my way to his bedside. He didn’t notice me at first, but
I
noticed how horrible he looked.

His blue eyes were nearly swollen shut and there were cuts all over his face. A large bandage covered his forehead and one of his arms. His voice was weak, quiet, when he answered all of the questions thrown at him.

As the staff slowly moved out of the room, his gaze fell on me.

“Don’t, Jude. Just don’t.”

A tear rolled down his battered cheek.

It took everything in me not to wipe it with my finger. The feelings I once had for Jude were there, but they are no longer love. Everything I felt for him was deeply rooted in pity.

“You could have killed Lori.” I was short and to the point.

“I know, I was stupid and there is no excuse for my actions. I am sorry. I would like to see her, Jenny.” He wanted to see her? Why? So he could see exactly how bad he fucked up?

“I don’t think that is a good idea right now. She hasn’t woken yet, and you aren’t getting out of this bed anytime soon. Take care of yourself, Jude.”

I stood to walk out of the room when a strangled cry stopped me.

“I care about her, Jenny. I really do. You broke me and I know it sounds stupid because we never had anything, but losing you fucked me up. She is it for me. Don’t take her away.”

It took me a minute to understand what he was trying to tell me.

“Jude, if you lose her... it is your own fault.”

I had to walk away before I lashed out on him.

I only hoped his motives were pure, and he knew what he was getting into with Lori. Because if he ever hurt her again, I wouldn’t let him walk away again.

“Thank GOD you are here!” Nora ran for me in the foyer of our penthouse carrying a small giggling baby. “It threw up on me, twice! I am covered in baby vomit. I have to go. I have to shower. God! I’m gonna do it too!” Her gags echoed through the room as she shoved the small boy into my arms.

“Hey there, little guy.” I took him from her and cradled him on my hip. “Did you pick up any accessories for him?”

Mathis walked into the room, catching our conversation. “Did you just call baby stuff
accessories
?” He laughed.

“Yeah, you know what I am talking about right? Like bottles and those little baby seat things. Swings, all the shit babies need so they don’t scream for hours on end?” Right? Isn’t that what babies need? Damn. I was so new to all this shit. What the fuck would I do with a baby if Mathis did end up getting me pregnant?

Hookers and dildos? I am a fucking pro! Babies and bouncers? Not so much.

Shit. What the hell was I in for?

“All of his stuff is in the kitchen. The only thing I couldn’t pack up and take with me was the crib, clearly too fuckin’ big, Jenny.” Nora laughed as she strolled out the door. “I’ll be back in the morning. Good luck my friend, may the force be with you!”

The door slammed and the baby started crying. Shit! How do I calm him? I tried to bounce him on my hip, but his screams got louder. O-M-G! Help!
Where is that Super Nanny bitch?

I could feel my nerves getting the best of me when Mathis pulled the little boy from my grip and startled to cradle him in his arms.

His smooth voice sent a chill through my body as he effortlessly calmed the little boy. “It’s okay, buddy. I’m sure you are scared, being here with all these strangers. Momma will be home soon, I promise.”

Holy hell. Mathis got even sexier, if that was even possible.

“You know, love. Babies can sense stress. You freaked out, so he freaked out.” He laughed and started walking through the house, heading for all the baby goodies in the kitchen.

“How do you know all this baby stuff?” I was completely puzzled by his baby knowledge and scared at the same time. “Please don’t tell me there are any illegitimate mini Mathis’ running around.” I took a deep breath and sent up a silent prayer.

“Really, Jenny? No, I don’t have any kids. I just have friends who do have kids. Uncle Mathis here!” He laughed as he pulled out a can of formula and started to prepare a bottle, one handed.

“God that shit smells!” I gagged as I breathed in the smell of the formula.

“Yeah, I’m not fond of it myself. Looks like you’ll be breastfeeding.” He winked at me.

I look down at my tits, palming them with my hands.

“This whole baby plan is slowly starting to go out the window.”

“Jenny, don’t be silly.”

Mathis interrupted my thoughts. God, was I really ready for all of this?
Maybe while we had Lori’s baby here we should invest in a box of condoms.

“Mathis, I am serious. I don’t know if I am ready for all of this.” I waved around the kitchen taking in all the boy’s stuff.

“Relax, Jenny. When we have our own we will have plenty of time to prepare and get ready. This...” he looked around the room, before his heated gaze settled back on me, “is all last minute and we just need to do our best for Lori right now.”

I walked around the kitchen island and wrapped my arms around him as he continued to cradle the little boy to his chest.

“Thank you, Mathis.”