Dray (Miller Brothers Book 1) (12 page)

After Luce leaves, I make a few phone calls then check in with Ritchie. Everything seems to be running smoothly with the new build, which is good; Luce is due back shortly, and I’m not planning on leaving here any time soon. I lounge on the sofa and watch a little television, fantasising about what I’m going to do to Luce once she gets home. She’s going to be hoarse by the time I’m through with her.

A sharp knock at the door snaps me from my thoughts. She never remembers her key. I jump up ready to launch at her the moment I open the door but I’m stopped dead by the person standing smiling in the doorway.

“Hey, Dray. Surprise!” Diane announces.

My jaw hits the floor.

“Diane.”

Fuck.

“Dray, your face. You not pleased to see me?” She winks.

She couldn’t be more right.

“Err, well, I thought you were in Glasgow?” I ask, confused.

“Oh, I finished there and came home yesterday. I thought I’d pay you a visit. Laurie gave me your address. I did say I wanted to have a snoop round your penthouse, so don’t leave a girl hanging on the doorstep.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

“I don’t think—”

She breezes by me before I say another word, striding through. “Oh, Dray, this is perfect. I’m in Heaven. You have such amazing taste for a guy.” She walks around, taking it all in as I scurry along behind her.

“Well, I had a designer come in, but I was the main decision maker,” I add, but I’m in no mood for talking. I need her to leave before Luce comes back. The minute Luce works out who she is, the shit will hit the fan.

“It has such a unique yet manly stamp on it, very modern but with a twist,” she muses as my heart rate accelerates. I take a quick look at my watch. Luce is due back at any moment. I’ll just have to bite the bullet.

“Diane, there’s something you need to know.”

She heads back towards me. “You know, I’ve never stopped thinking about you, Dray. I know we said we would put things on hold till after I got back, but I finished early so here I am.”

“Diane, about that—”

I watch in complete horror as she unties her trench coat to reveal skimpy underwear underneath. Her breasts are pulled up to the maximum. My eyes snap up to her amused face; she’s enjoying my reaction. Little does she know I’m completely horrified.

Oh, fucking hell, I’m screwed.

“Diane—”

“Dray, just stop talking for once.” She lunges at me and her mouth slams against mine. I claw at her, trying to move her away, but it’s like her mouth is suctioned to mine. And right in that precise moment, the front door slams shut.

I push Diane away, but it’s too late. Luce is watching in complete horror. The bag of food she was carrying is now in a heap on the floor. Diane looks on in confusion between the both of us.

“Who’s this, Dray?” Diane asks.

Fuck me.

I stand in shock. Whatever I say to justify it will send Luce running. My heart beats erratically as I watch open-mouthed.

“Oh, I’m just the girlfriend. Who the hell are you and why are you kissing my boyfriend?” Luce snaps, walking forward.

“I’m Diane. We’ve been seeing each other. I’m sorry but—”

“
You’re
Diane?” I watch Luce’s face fall. She looks her up and down and I see her comparing herself. She’s always had this critical demeanour about herself, never loving the person I see. “But Dray broke it off with you,” she whispers.

Diane turns to me, surprised. “We said we would put it on hold till I was back.”

“Diane, I—”

“Is that true, Dray?” There’s a wobble to Luce’s voice that breaks my heart.

“Firecracker, I—”

“How could you do this to me, Dray? Treating me like all the others.” Tears stream down her face as I walk forward.

“Firecracker, please.”

She needs to know the truth.

She rushes out the door before I can rectify the situation. I need to go after her, to tell her, to explain. She’s the only one I’ll ever want.

I grab my keys then remember Diane is there waiting. I know I owe her an explanation, but right now Luce is my priority.

“So, Dray, fancy explaining this to me?” Diane gives me a look, but I don’t have time for this.

“Look, Diane, I told you it wasn’t working.” My voice is cold and her eyes widen at my tone.

“But you said—”

“No,
you
said. The only thing I didn’t do was get a chance to correct you. Luce and I go back years, she’s the love of my life and we’re finally together.”

“So, what was I, a distraction?” she shrieks.

I have no fucking time for her meltdown.

“I was trying to move on and you were there. I thought I could, but it’s always been her. You’re a great girl, but—”

“Oh, don’t start your patronising bullshit with me. Thanks for messing me around. I have fucking feelings here, Dray. Not that you give a shit. To think I thought you could be one of the good guys I could actually fall for.”

“Diane, I’m sorry.”

“Stick your pathetic excuse of an apology where the sun don’t shine.” She snatches up her coat and storms out, slamming the door behind her.

I give her a few moments to make her exit while I phone Luce. Surprise surprise, she’s not answering; it goes straight to voicemail.

“Firecracker, it’s not what it looks like. There’s nothing between me and Diane, we were over. That kiss was all her, I tried to fucking push her off. Please baby, just come home. Let’s sort this out. You know you’re the only one for me. Please, just let me explain. I need you to understand. It’s you, Luce. It’s only ever been you. I love you with all my heart. Please, come back to me,” I beg, hoping she’ll listen to my words.

I end the call. All I want to do is fire my phone against the wall, but I need it for if she calls back. Now is no time to lose my cool. I have to keep my head straight and find her to make her believe me.

But fuck, this is Luce.

I know the way her brain works.

I’m screwed.

But I’ve waited too long to let a stupid moment like this ruin what we have.

I slam the door behind me and walk into the lift. I keep checking my phone, but there’s nothing. I twirl the car keys in my hand. If I have to drive around this whole city, I’ll find her and make her understand.

I start the ignition; I don’t know where to head for first except the obvious. Would she really go there knowing it’s the first place I’d go? I have no choice. I’m out of options right now. I just have to find her.

I head towards the city centre, to go to her coffee shop. I just hope she’s there. I run a hand down my face in agitation.

I’m freaking out.

My phone goes off and in my agitated state I snatch it up, only for it fly out of my hands onto the floor.

Fuck. It could be Luce.

I have to answer it.

I duck down for a few seconds to retrieve it, my fingertips reaching, grasping until I have it in my grip. As my eyes lift to focus, I almost hit a cyclist.

FUCK.

I swerve so hard, the car loses all control. The last few seconds, Luce flashes into my head. She’s my heart, my home, my entire fucking world. It’s the one last thing I think of before my car barrels towards a tree.

I manage to swerve slightly but my whole body is thrown sideways, the piercing noise of the airbag the last thing I hear as my head smashes into the side window.

The pain is instant, and I mutter Luce’s name one more time before I fall into darkness.

“Dray.”

The voice sounds familiar.

My head feels foggy.

I feel strange.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I go to open my eyes, but it’s like they’ve been sewn shut. I try to move but my body feels disconnected from my head.

I can’t speak.

My throat is dry and sore. I start to panic, but the voice begins again.

“Dray, if you can hear me, please wake up. You can’t do this to me, I need you. It’s been eight weeks, Dray, eight long fucking weeks. I can’t just sit here anymore. Every day, another piece of me dies, not knowing if you’re ever going to wake up. I hate it. I want you back. I know about Diane. I got your message and we talked. I’m not angry anymore. I love you, Dray, so much. I’ve carried a secret with me for the last two weeks.” She pauses, almost to correct her wavering voice.

“I’m pregnant, Dray, with our baby. Yeah, remember that night I thought we’d be okay? I was on the pill, but turns out you have super sperm. Why am I not surprised? So, it’s not just us anymore, we have another person to consider. I only found out when I fainted. They blamed low blood sugar and me spending too much time here. It turned out to be the most amazing news, but you need to wake up. You’re going to be a daddy. We’re going to be parents. I wanted to tell you once you were awake, but I can’t hold it in any longer. If it gives you more of a reason to fight then please, baby, fight for us, for our son or daughter. I can’t do this on my own. I need you here with me, so wake up.”

She beats her fist against my chest as she descends into a sob.

Firecracker.

Her words finally sink in.

Dad?

I’m going to be a dad?

My chest tightens at the thought. I’d always been careful, but kids with Luce is something I yearned for. All my dreams come true.

Fuck, Dray. Move, talk, do something!

The sound of her sobs pulls at my heart. I hate to hear her cry, desperation pouring out of her. I want to hold her, to rock her and tell her I’m with her every step of the way. But right now, my body refuses to cooperate.

And then I do something I haven’t done in a long time. I feel a tear roll down my cheek. Luce’s fingers leave my face. She jumps up, and I immediately feel the loss of her body.

“Dray? Are you crying?”

I try to answer but no words come.

“Did you hear me, Dray? You’re going to be a daddy. Please, tell me you heard.” She grabs my hand. “Squeeze my hand if you heard!” she yells in desperation.

I concentrate hard on giving her the smallest of movements.

I hope it’s enough.

“Dray, you squeezed my hand!” she shrieks.

Thank fuck it worked.

“You heard, you heard. Please, baby, open your eyes. I need you to look at me. I’ve waited so long.” Her voice breaks as she pleads.

I sigh and try with all my might, but my eyes don’t seem to want to function.

Fuck this shit.

I need to see my Luce.

I’ve been without her so long.

I’m fucking doing this.

I manage a small flicker.

That’s it, keep going.

I need to see her face more than I need the air I breathe.

My eyes flicker again, this time halfway before snapping shut.

“That’s it, Dray. Please come back to me. Open your eyes and tell me you heard.”

This time, I’m determined. I’m not letting this ruin the best moment of my life. I take a deep breath and pry my eyes open. Luce is staring back, her cheeks all red and tear-stained. My face drops at the thought of causing her so much pain.

“Fire—cr—ack—er,” I gradually manage to get it. The sound of her name has her bursting into tears. She buries her face in my neck and sobs hard. All I can do is just lie there and watch all the emotion seep out of her.

Eight weeks?

I’ve been in a coma for eight weeks?

No wonder she’s emotionally wrecked. I would have been in complete Hell if it had been the other way round.

How the hell did I even get here?

I try and speak again, but it’s pointless over the loud sobbing. I have to let her get it all out before trying to find out answers.

After a few minutes, she pulls herself up to look at me. Her pained eyes stare deep into mine, and we just gaze at each other.

God, I love this woman.

My eyes flick down to her stomach before returning back to meet hers.

“D—ad?” I ask, still unsure about what I’ve just heard.

She grabs my hand and kisses it, placing it against her stomach. “Yes, Dray, we’re having a baby. I’m eight weeks gone. The night we got together, we made a baby.”

I smile at the look of delight in her eyes, the same emotion I hold in mine. My fingers twitch against her skin. Her stomach is still flat, but it’s early days. I can’t wait to see her fill out with our son or daughter inside her.

My eyes fill up at the thought it could have all being taken away from me. “How did it—”

“You crashed your car. The cyclist said after you swerved to avoid him you lost all control and hurtled towards a tree. You tried to swerve but ended up smashing your head against the side window. From there, your brain became so swollen they took you straight into surgery, then put you into an induced coma. They wouldn’t say whether you would make a full recovery, or if you would ever wake up at all. But I never stopped praying you would come back to me.”

“No one could ever…keep me away.”

“There were dark moments I wondered if you would even recognise me. If you would be the same Dray I’d always known. To not have you as part of my life or to act like a stranger would have broke me.” Her face drops down, and it kills me not to touch her.

“Hey, I’m here,” I whisper, trying to soothe her.

She lies with her head against my heart as I breathe her all in. She smells so good. We lie there in silence, our bodies locked together. It’s perfect. She lifts her head and kisses my heart then looks at me.

“That is the most perfect sound in the world.”

“When do we—”

“Get to see the baby?” she finishes for me.

I nod, I’m tired. I can feel my eyes wanting to close.
Fuck me, I’ve been asleep the last eight weeks. I don’t want to miss another thing.

“In a month’s time, we’ll get to hear his or her heartbeat.”

I smile as my eyes start to close. “Sorry,” I murmur.

I’m just so tired.

Her lips press against mine. “Sleep, Dray. I’m not going anywhere.” She gives me a kiss of reassurance and I sigh once again, giving into the darkness.