Chapter 246: Breakfast
*If you think I’m getting up early and making breakfast for you, you’re crazier than I thought. – Alana*
It was his second morning in the guest room of his mother’s condo. He couldn’t help but laugh when he woke up in a very pink room. Alana made everything pink – walls, carpet, curtains, bedding, even the damned ceiling. The pinker it was, the sooner her sons would return to their wives.
Except her youngest. “First, I don’t got no wife to go home to. Second, it’s like waking up in a giant pussy. Fuck, I might paint my room at Pops pink! And third, what about Sticks? He has a wife *and* two husbands. Aren’t you being a little sexist? And fourth, Mia doesn’t have a wife.”
Laughing at his mom’s reaction to his declaration last night, Chance rolled out of bed and went to the attached bathroom. Also, in all pink. Stepping into the shower tub, he decided that he was going to have to point out that the bathroom was even more like a pussy.
Pink. Warm. And wet.
Chance took what could become his last shower, his mother might kill him for his latest observation, dressed and then headed for the Shack. No one had asked why he was still not back at Pop’s Place. No one seemed concerned about it.
Either that, or no one had figured it out yet.
Those at the Shack just assumed he was still coming for breakfast. Those at Pop’s Place probably thought that he was at his brother’s house. Or found a woman to shack up with.
He sat at a table with Cookie, Karan and Law. Law had been spending a lot of time with the couple lately and Chance wondered if he had broken things off with Sam. Although Cookie and Karan had a somewhat open relationship, he doubted that Sam would be willing to share her man. Deciding that it was not any of his business, he opted not to ask and simply enjoyed the company.
But maybe not the conversation.
“I want to look good for our wedding.” Karan said.
“You look good now.” Cookie assured her and the other two men agreed.
“I just… I just don’t want your family to think less of me.” She admitted quietly.
Cookie grabbed her chin and pulled her to him for a kiss. “My sister adores you. My mother thinks you’re great for me. And my brothers all wish their wives were as open as you.”
“Cookie! You don’t tell them about our sex life, do you?” she hissed, and he grinned. “You do.”
“Babe, you’ve had the majority of the Saints in your bed at some point in time. Several in mine with us.” He kissed her again. “And about half the other bunnies.”
“Dude, I’m trying to eat.” Law complained. “Without a stiffie.”
“Agreed.” Chance grinned.
As Chance tucked back into his omelet, Nessie approached with a white bag.
“I hear that I should congratulate you.” Chance smiled at her.
“Aye. And thank yeh.” She smiled and sat the bag on the table. “I’m afraid I upset yer friend and she didn’t take her muffin.”
Karan looked a little confused before it clicked. “Rye.”
Chance stood up and grabbed the bag. “I’ll take it to her at the hospital. You have that other thing to deal with.”
Karan groaned. “Glad you remembered that.”
“Everything okay?” Cookie asked concerned.
“We have a third grader who is causing problems for his teachers. She has a final warning and then her kid is out.”
“You haven’t even been open a month!” Law pointed out with a look of complete disbelief.
“Exactly.” Karan agreed with dread.
“Have fun.” Chance said walking out.
As the younger man walked out, Law leaned over to Karan to speak quietly. “Are we going to talk about how quick he volunteered to do that?”
“I don’t think so.” Karan agreed just as quietly.
Nessie gave a soft laugh. “This part, that mon falling in love, is going to be fun to watch. But her, is going to hurt.”
Walking outside to his bike, Chance was unaware of the conversation and prediction about him. He secured the white paper bag in the saddle bag and then headed for the hospital. It was still early, and the roads were clear. There were a few patches of ice, but he maneuvered around them easily. Four wheels came with a heater. Two came with freedom.
Chance remembered where the nursery was from the baby boom in February. Four babies in less than a month. A short month, at that. The elevator doors opened, and he stepped out into the hallway painted with storks by each door.
“Hello,” he told the young nurse at the desk. She was pretty, light brown hair, deep green eyes and pale skin.
She smiled flirtatiously but he felt no urge to return the gesture.
“I’m looking for Rye.”
“She’s in the back nursery with Michael. Around the corner, second door with a window. I’ll let them know you’re coming.” She pointed to her right and then picked up the phone.
Chance walked around the corner and saw two doors that had small windows. He approached the second one and before he could knock, he heard the click of a lock and the door opened.
A plump middle-aged brunette woman with the name Joanna embroidered on her blue scrub shirt smiled at him. “Come on in.”
“I just brought Rye her breakfast.” He held up the bag.
“Good, she needs someone.” The woman whispered as she tugged him inside. She took the bag and sat it on the counter. “Jacket and shirt can be hung up there.”
She motioned to the bar and hangers as she turned on the water in the sink. Chance stood rooted to the spot. Confusion and fear filled him as they warred inside. What did she expect him to do? Who did she think he was to Rye? What was he willing to do? Why did she say that Rye needed someone?
Obviously, she could see his confusion. Possibly even his fear. Joanne gave him a smile and then did the one thing that no man ever wanted a woman to do.
Questioned his masculinity.
“Come on. Big strong guy like you can’t be scared of a four-pound baby.”
