Sal (The Ride Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

by.
    “Sorry, babe, just razzin’ you,” he replied, sounding surprised at my sensitivity.
    “Yeah, well don’t,” I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest.
    “Sal put this rod up your ass?” he asked in his typical blunt manner.
    I turned to glare at him. “Not helping,” I pointed out.
    He sighed and turned his attention back to the road. “Him leavin’ was a shit thing to do. But there’s no doubt why he came back. And darlin’, it wasn’t for the club,” he pointed out in a gentle tone.
    It was easier when he was razzing me.
    We were at the hospital in fifteen minutes, and I literally ran through labor and delivery. I arrived in her room in panting hysteria to find her calm as could be sitting up in bed with a hospital gown on.
    Cole glowered at me from the chair beside her.
    “I’m so sorry,” I burst out, rushing to grab her hand.
    “It’s fine. I’m fine,” she assured me and turned to pointedly glare at Cole, telling him to ease up. “My water broke, but labor hasn’t even really started yet,” she said calmly.
    Leave it to Scarlet to have a handle on everything, including birth.
    The next several hours were fairly uneventful as the hospital staff induced her labor. She wasn’t in any pain yet, and I entertained her by reading snippets from gossip magazines while Cole intermittently sat beside her and paced in the hall. The guy was a wreck. But as the night turned to dawn, I gradually saw her face grow more strained until she let out a quiet, “Shit.”
    “Painful?” I asked quietly. Cole had drifted off for a minute in his chair, but woke abruptly at my words.
    “Yes,” she breathed as Cole rushed to her other side, his eyes red from sleep.
    “Well, honey, that just means she’s coming soon,” I tried to soothe her.
    “Yeah,” she agreed as Cole ran a hand through her hair and stared down at her like she hung the stars.
    “You’re going to be such a great mom,” I told her. It was true; she’d be the best.
    “So are you.”
    I scoffed.
    “You will,” she insisted. “Shit,” she breathed again.
    “I’ll get the nurse,” I stated, leaving my friend and her man to their last few remaining moments as a twosome.
    It wasn’t until I held Grace Mae Jackson in my arms that I cried. She was named after Scarlet’s mother and Cole’s grandmother. She was tiny, pink, and perfect.
    The entire club was packed into the waiting room, a boisterous loving crowd who hollered and whooped when Cole proudly announced the birth of his daughter. I knew Sal was there too. I felt him even though I stopped myself from seeking him out. His presence was surmounted by the birth of my niece and the happiness of my best friend. I didn’t even spare him a glance.
    “Go home, sleep,” Scar commanded firmly that afternoon. “I’m fine. Gracie’s fine. Come back tomorrow,” she said as she waved her hand.
    “You sure?” I asked.
    “Sure,” she beamed. She’d been glowing ever since her daughter was placed on her naked chest.
    “Okay, I’ll come back as soon as I can.” I grinned as I leaned over to kiss the baby’s head. She was sleeping soundly in the bassinet by her mom’s bedside. “She’s beautiful. Did I say she was beautiful?” I asked.
    She laughed. “Only about a hundred times!”
    “I’ll walk you out,” Cole nodded, standing up alongside me. “Kat, thank you,” he said sincerely when we were out in the hall.
    “For what?” I asked, confused.
    “For being with us. For being such a good friend to her,” he said as he shrugged. “And to me,” he added.
    “Of course, I love you guys.”
    His expression turned thoughtful as he regarded me cautiously. “Hey, I know Sal’s back and—”
    “Don’t even think about that,” I cut him off. “Focus on your beautiful daughter and soon-to-be wife. Don’t worry about my bullshit.”
    “It’s not bullshit,” he argued forcefully.
    “Whatever it is, don’t worry about it. I’m fine,” I assured him with a fake