“You did what you had to do. Honestly, it was pretty damn clever.”
“Rationally, I know I can’t save her. I haven’t fully accepted that yet, but I do know it.”
“Dice, Tawny’s problems aren’t your fault.”
“I know, and I know there’s no guarantee with the baby. She could have a miscarriage, or the baby could grow up and struggle with addiction, too. There’s no way to know, but I want him or her to have a chance. Just like Tawny did.”
“What happens if she leaves rehab or changes her mind?”
“Nothing. She’s free to leave at any time. I’m not trying to force her to do anything. I just presented her with an option she didn’t have, and she took it.”
“You know you won’t have to buy shit for this kid, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“This story of yours is going to melt the heart of every Blackwings old lady. You’ll probably have the biggest baby shower in history.”
I grinned. “I bet I won’t have a shortage of babysitters either.”
“Full honesty, brother. I’m totally going to use your kid as chick bait. The ladies go crazy over a tattooed man with a tiny baby.”
“I’m happy my good deed will help you get laid.”
“I don’t need help getting laid. I’m looking for wife material.”
“I honestly can’t tell if you’re serious right now.”
“I’ll forgive you since I know you’re tired. I’m totally serious, by the way. But we’re not talking about me. Tell me about the rest of your day. You got the contract, then what?”
“Then I took it back to the hospital and managed to get it signed and notarized without Badger and Macy finding out.”
“Wait,” he interrupted. “They don’t know?”
“No one does, except me, you, and Tawny. And it’s in the contract that Tawny can’t tell anyone.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. My lips are sealed, but can I ask why?”
“I told you I hadn’t thought it through. I have no idea what I’m doing, man.”
“Gotcha. We’ll figure it out later. Go on.”
“After she signed it, we got her admitted to the rehab facility. It’s two hours away, and she refused to ride with any of us. So, we had to drive there separately, fill out all the papers, secure payment, and drive back without talking to her. And it was just as well. After listening to Macy quietly cry most of the way there, I didn’t have anything good to say to her anyway. I wish you could’ve seen her. She was so nasty and mean, downright hateful. It was unsettling, to say the least.”
“Did she know she was pregnant before today?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Macy said she freaked out when the doctor told her she was pregnant and told everyone to get out of her room. So, if I had to guess, I’d say no, but that’s just a guess.”
“What are you going to tell Daphne?” he asked.
“I’m not going to tell her anything right now. She doesn’t even know about Tawny. Besides, I need to tell Badger and Macy before I tell anyone else.”
Ink leaned back in his chair and looked at me like he had something to say. “What?” I asked.
“Brother, you know I’ll support you no matter what, but it seems like there might be something going on between you and Daphne. If that’s the case, you need to tell her before things progress.”
“You’re right. I just need a little time.”
14