“Um, right. Well, some things can’t be helped.” Peanut didn’t sound convinced, but he shut his mouth and she went back to reading the magazine. It was about ten minutes later when her name was called by a nurse. There was a bit of arguing when he insisted on coming back with her to see the doctor. Not wanting to cause a huge scene when she realized he was going to be stubborn about it, she followed the nurse to an exam room with Peanut in tow. The nurse took her vitals and asked a few questions about the history form she’d filled out before telling them that the doctor would be in in a few moments.
“You didn’t need to come back with me, Peanut,” Phoebe insisted as she sat on the exam table the woman had asked her to wait on.
“Yeah, I did. I want to know that you’re okay. You haven’t had any prenatal care and your ex was an abusive asshole,” Peanut grumbled, sitting in the chair with his arms crossed and a dark scowl.
“He’s still my husband. I’m still married to him because I just ran,” Phoebe whispered through numb lips.
“He’s not going to be your husband for long. I already have people working on the problem.”
“What? What do you mean you have people working on it? Didn’t you even think to consult me about what I wanted?” Phoebe was gripping the table, her breathing erratic. What if Johnny found her because of these people Peanut had ‘working on it’?
“I know why you’re freaked out about me trying to get your marriage to that fucker settled, but I wouldn’t ever do anything that might put you in danger. I won’t, however, let you remain in a legal and binding contract that you don’t want to be in. More than one woman has found themselves trapped with men like that forever. I won’t let that be you.” Peanut held her eyes as he made his impassioned speech.
Phoebe couldn’t help the warm safe feeling that suddenly flowed through her. It was odd because his behavior should scare her to death after her experiences with Johnny, but Phoebe somehow knew that Peanut wasn’t trying to control her or her life. Even if he was acting like a total jackass by assuming that he knew what was best, he was doing it because he wanted to help her, not because he wanted to control her.
“You still should have asked.”
“You’re correct, I should have, but I knew your answer would be one that I didn’t like so I decided not asking was better than asking and then ignoring your wishes on the matter.” Phoebe glared at him with her eyes narrowed. He grinned and winked at her.
Phoebe couldn’t help the silly smile that twisted her lips as she shook her head at his logic. He wasn’t wrong that she would have refused to allow him to start the process if he’d asked because she still had a pit of dread in her stomach at the thought of Johnny finding her. She suspected that if he did show up things would go poorly for him anyway. Peanut and his club would likely beat the holy hell out of Johnny if he showed up looking for her here.
“That’s rather high-handed of you.”
“Maybe so,” Peanut shrugged.
“Definitely so. I haven’t forgotten that we were originally talking about the fact that I am perfectly capable of seeing the doctor without you,” Phoebe said, firmly eyeing him as he shifted in the small chair.
“I know, but I’m worried. Last year Joker’s old lady had some really crazy shit happen when she was pregnant and she almost died. I just want to be sure you’re alright, Phoebe. I care about what happens to you.” His dark eyes were solemn as he looked at her and she felt her heart twist in her chest as she saw the sincere concern on his face.
“Peanut, millions of women have babies without any issues.”
“Yeah, but they aren’t you. I’m worried about you.” Peanut crossed his arms again, a stubborn tilt to his chin. Phoebe likely would have argued more about that if the doctor hadn’t knocked softly on the door before entering. The doctor was a middle-aged woman with dark brown hair and a happy smile. She shook both hers and Peanut’s hand after introducing herself. She smiled before reviewing the papers that Phoebe had filled out before coming back to the room.
Dr. Gilbert briefly listed some tests that they’d need to run and asked more questions about her general health before she asked Phoebe to lie back so she could do an exam. Phoebe’s cheeks heated and she looked at Peanut uncomfortably. He rolled his eyes before tugging the curtain that surrounded the little chair. Dr. Gilbert raised a brow but her smile said it was amusing. She likely thought that this baby was Peanut’s. Phoebe expected to be more concerned about that but strangely she wasn’t. She kind of wished that Peanut was this baby’s father. He was a good dad.
“Great, everything looks good. Dad, you can come out now,” Dr. Gilbert said, allowing her to sit up.
Peanut pushed the curtain back. She expected him to correct the doctor about the baby not being his but he didn’t. He just watched her silently as she sat with her shirt pushed up to just beneath her breasts. His eyes were on the small baby bump she was sporting.
“Let’s listen to the baby’s heartbeat, shall we?” Dr. Gilbert picked up a small handheld
