Somehow, when I looked at Darcy, all my reasoning went out the window, and I was left with this bad feeling deep down that I would never be a hero. The realization ran deep but also stemmed from many years of being in Evan’s shadow. He beat me at literally everything. It was something I’d gotten used to but never accepted. It was probably why I cut him off from my friendship when he and Candiss got together. I was into her the second I laid eyes on her in the bar the first time. I’d gone to the restroom, and she’d hit on Evan (something he failed to tell me when I got back to him), and then they ended up dating. It was my excuse to hate him openly, and that felt better than harboring all my jealousy inside.
“Keep your eyes on the road,” came Darcy’s voice from the backseat.
I looked up, startled out of my thoughts. “Chill, Darcy. I’ve got it.”
“Don’t worry. When we crash, I’ll be sure to tell the police officer that it was because you couldn’t keep your eyes off me.”
“In your dreams, Darcy. I was just making sure you two were okay back there because I wasn’t hearing the hens clucking in the back seat anymore.” I knew I’d get flak from that comment, but it was worth it to see how sexy she was when she got mad.
“Fuck off!” Darcy snarled.Man is she ever sexy when she’s mad.
“You’re related to this hen, so you’d better watch what you call me,” Lila piped up, showing him her fist.
I laughed.
“Cluck away, ladies,” Evan said. “I’m awake now, so you can make all the noise you want. We gonna make a pitstop soon, chauffeur?”
“I’m not your fucking chauffeur,” I told Evan, rolling my eyes. “You need the pisser, girls?”
“Thane! Christ. Do you have to call it that? You’re such an ass,” Darcy chastised me.
All the more reason to keep calling it that if it was going topissher off.
“How much longer until we’re there?” Lila asked.
I looked at the GPS and gave a low whistle. “About half an hour. Can’t you hold it, Evan?” I looked over at him, and he shook his head.
“Sorry, forgot to go at the airport. Besides, I’m hungry too.”
The girls groaned. “We just want to get there. Seriously, Evan. Hold it.”
“I’m stopping,” I said. “I don’t need Evan’s fist to find my face if I don’t cater to his every girlish whim.” I was risking said punch just for saying that.
“Eat me, Erickson,” Evan barked.
I pulled in, and we all got out. I decided to get a drink, and when I was on my way out, I saw Darcy talking with Shellene and Remi, who’d been driving behind us in a black SUV with Lyle, Regan, and Addison. Darcy was talking with her hands, and she didn’t look impressed. She was likely telling them how I called the bathroom “the pisser.” I found it funny that she was offended by that. Darcy, the woman who’d scare The Rock with just one glare.
I took a swig of my soda, shook my head, and walked over to Lila. “How are you feeling?” I looked down at her tummy and felt happy. I couldn’t wait to be an uncle. I wasn’t quite ready for fatherhood myself but being an uncle would be cool.
“Mainly just tired and nervous. I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for giving birth naturally.” She crossed her arms and shivered.
“Maybe you should get back in the car if you’re feeling cold,” I told her. I put my arm around her and walked with her.
“I’m fine. Don’t you go getting all protective of me, too. I get enough of that from Evan,” Lila said, glaring at me.
“You starting some Lamaze classes yet?” I asked.
“Yes, we’re already signed up and ready to go. I can’t wait.”
“Hey, if there’s ever a time that Evan can’t make it, I’m available. Anytime. Whatever I’m doing can wait,” I told her.
Lila looked at me and raised her eyebrow. “Really? I’d peg you for one of those who runs from anything ‘baby-related.’”
“You obviously don’t know me very well,” I said, furrowing my brows.
“Okay, big brother. Relax. You’ll be the first person I call.”
Evan came back to the car with four coffees in hand. “Thanks, I needed that.”