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“We can’t let you do that. Nick has his pride, and I have to abide by that.”

  “Men can be so damn difficult. I wanted to give Orlando a new car as a wedding gift; you know he wouldn’t let me do it.”

  Lincoln unfolded a tiny shirt and spread it out on the table. “What kind of car was it? And before you say nothing extravagant, I know you.”

  Regan smiled impishly. “Okay, it was an extravagant car. I thought he would look nice driving a bright red Lamborghini in the summer. He could drive his SUV in the winter.”

  “You will never learn,” Lincoln said shaking her head. “You kept Mark’s love for money mentality. It’s good that you have that much cash to rely on if something happens to you or Orlando. What you should do is invest it and maybe retire early to enjoy life and raise a family without any financial hardships.”

  “I want to help my sister. If it weren’t for you, Lincoln, I wouldn’t even know Orlando or be married to him. I owe you.”

  “You don’t have to buy me stuff as a way of showing your thanks. I’m happy you are happy.” She refolded the shirt and replaced it on the table. “Discount stores sell baby items much cheaper. We should go there.”

  Regan sighed. “If you insist on cheaper quality clothes for your babies, I can’t make you want anything here.”

  As they left the store, they ran into Gwen and Melanie outside. Lincoln felt the pangs of agony rising as her eyes laid sight on her two worst enemies.

  Regan reached her hand over for Lincoln to stop walking. It was as if Regan wanted Lincoln to hang back while she confronted them.

  Gwen and Melanie came to a stop as Regan approached them, saying, “Ladies, let’s not start any trouble, so just keep walking and don’t make any snide remarks.”

  Gwen spoke, but not in a condescending tone, “Regan, I have nothing against you. I don’t have anything against Lincoln. It’s an unfortunate situation that has us at this standstill. I would love for us to remain friends. I adore you and Orlando.”

  Regan agreed but frowned. “I don’t see that being possible since your brother screwed up majorly, and you aren’t exactly innocent. You helped him deceive my sister while he was screwing his ex-girlfriend behind her back… excuse me, his current wife.”

  Melanie tossed her long hair over her shoulder and rested her weight on one leg to show her disgust, but she didn’t speak. Lincoln leaned against a large planter watching the three women. A smile almost curled at her lips as she thought about a rumble taking place in the parking lot of Neimen Marcus. Regan was like a wild squirrel when she got riled. It was hard to get a hold of her once she got going.

  Gwen touched Melanie on the arm as if to calm her. “Regan, really I’m not looking to clash with you or Lincoln. What my brother did, I don’t condone, and I might have instigated somewhat, but it wasn’t to hurt your sister. Actually, I want to make a plea to Lincoln to cut Anthony a little slack.”

  Lincoln shoved off the planter and was in Gwen’s face before Regan could turn around. “You want me to cut him some slack? Do you know what he did to me! Are you aware he could have hurt my babies as well as my mother and sister?” Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve got a lot of damn nerves, or maybe you’re just dumb to think I would cut Anthony anything.”

  Gwen swallowed hard. Lincoln was inches from her face. She had to take a step back. “I’m so sorry he lost his temper or felt he had to do that to you.”

  “Are you?” Lincoln turned to Melanie. “What about you? You don’t seem to have much to say about your husband terrorizing me. How does that make you feel, Melanie? It can’t be a good feeling to know he is so enthused with me or can’t let me go long enough to concentrate on your marriage.”

  Melanie’s face reddened. “He’s only doing it to protect you. You are like a kid sister to him. He told me he felt responsible for pushing you into Nick’s arms, so no, I don’t feel threatened that he is looking after you. It is for a good reason.”

  Lincoln did a slow nod. “Is that right? I don’t believe he was thinking of me as a sister when he was fucking me!”

  Regan gasped. “Lincoln! Girl, watch your mouth.”

  “If I offended anyone—oh, well, they’ll get over it! I’ve tried to be nice, but look where it got me. I’m done being the educated woman when it comes to these two. This is what Gwen expects me to be like. So I’m saying what is on my mind and in a fashion she should expect to hear from me.”

  Lincoln felt Regan dragging her back. “Come on, Lincoln, we’re leaving. I don’t want you to end up in the hospital again.”

  “Please, Lincoln, can I have a minute to say something?” Gwen pleaded.

  Lincoln folded her arms across her chest. “What? Haven't you had enough? Should I put on my bandana and start making gang signals with my hands in order to scare you away?” she asked in a sarcastic manner.

  “I never said you were uneducated, but I can see how I may have offended you in that way. But what I’m asking isn’t for Anthony but more for his son. If you don’t drop the charges, Anthony could go to jail. Anthony has promised to leave you alone and never bother you again. I will see to it that he never bothers you again. Please, if you could just think about. I know how loving and forgiving your family is. And like I said it is not for Anthony or Melanie but for their son who loves and needs his father.”

  Lincoln’s lips thinned as her eyes blazed with fire. “I don’t have to think about it, Gwen. The answer is HELL NO! Anthony can rot in prison for the rest of his life for all I care! He didn’t take into consideration that I’m pregnant when he barged into my apartment to beat me up. Nick is going to be a father to twins. He stood to lose both his children. Anthony’s child can visit him in prison on family days. I hear the prisons go all out to make family time special.”

  Lincoln looped her arm through Regan’s for support. Her legs felt weak, and she wanted to go so she could sit down and take a deep breath to regain her composure. She hadn’t acted this way since her school days. She was a professional woman and always conducted herself properly. These two women flushed out the nasty in her, and she didn’t like herself when she had to lower her standards.

  Gwen dropped her head, and then held it up to glance at Melanie and then back to Lincoln. “I didn’t know you were expecting twins. Congratulations, and I am sorry for what my brother did to you.”

  Regan pulled Lincoln away. She didn’t like the way Lincoln was staring at Gwen. “Come on, Lincoln, we’re leaving now. You’ve had your say, and there is nothing left to do but go in our own separate directions.”

  Lincoln didn’t protest and walked away with Regan. Once they were inside the car, Regan handed her a bottle of water. “Girl, your mother would be so proud of you. I can’t believe you said that! I thought I would pee my pants,” she giggled.

  Lincoln drank half the bottle of water and screwed the top back on. “It’s not one of my proudest moments, Regan, but damn, it felt good to say it and get it off my chest. I’m crossing my fingers that that will be the last encounter I will have with those two.”

  Regan sucked in a breath. “I’m betting it will be. Gwen and Melanie were both shocked at what came out of your mouth.” Regan patted Lincoln on the knee. “We deserve a huge banana split with all the fat and toppings.”

  “Yummy! I’ve been craving some ice cream all morning,” Lincoln said, rubbing her stomach.

  Chapter Thirty Four

  Nick returned to the firehouse. He went straight to his locker to get some aspirin to take for the headache that throbbed in his temples. At the sink, he washed the aspirin down and looked at his reflection in the mirror. The stress was there. He had to get it under control so he wouldn’t stress Lincoln. She was carrying twins, and her stress levels would already increase. “Hey, you’re back,” Orlando said, going in the locker room.

  “So what are you having a boy or a girl?”

  Nick washed his hands as if that would erase his troubles or make them easier to deal with. He took a paper towel from the dispenser
and looked at Orlando. “Man, we’re having twins.”

  “Congratulations! You get two out the gate at once,” Orlando teased.

  Nick let himself bask in the joy. “Yeah, I’m excited, but boy, will this be expensive. We just started shopping for one baby. We didn’t expect twins.”

  “I agree it will be a handful for you. If there is anything I can do, let me, know.”

  Nick shoved his hands in the pockets of his pants. “I’m not going to be able to send my mom to Italy; that’s for sure. I can’t blow two grand on a plane ticket now.”

  “You know what, Nick? It might not be a bad idea to have your mother stay with you. Lincoln will need the help when you’re away. And when she goes back to work you won’t have to pay for daycare if your mom is staying with you.”

  “My mom is sixty-four years old. She can’t take care of newborn twins on her own. That is way too much for her. Anyhow, I don’t know if Lincoln will go for that.”

  They heard a clapping coming from the distance. Anthony’s figure came into view. Nick rolled his eyes, and Orlando moved to stand in his usual position between the two men.

  “Nick, congratulations are in order. Are you gonna skip out on Lincoln leaving her with two babies to take care of on her own?” Anthony asked in a sarcastic tone of voice.

  Nick held up his hand. “Today is not the day to fuck with me, Ant. I suggest you walk away while your two feet will carry you.”

  Orlando put his hands on his hips. “What are you doing here, Ant? You know you're suspended indefinitely. And really, I’m not feeling your presence either. I’m a patient man, but you went after my in-laws, and that shit is still not sitting well with me.”

  “I’m not here to cause any trouble. I came to clean out my locker. I resigned from the fire department.”

  Nick raised his brows at the news but didn’t say anything. Orlando asked. “You resigned? When? No paperwork came across my desk.”

  Anthony opened his locker that was close to where Nick was standing. Nick decided to stick around and listen to what Anthony had to say. He was curious why Anthony suddenly quit before his trial came up. Nick’s charges were dropped by the D.A. when Anthony got arrested.

  The three counts of attempted battery could find Anthony serving time in jail. The fire department automatically reprimanded Anthony with an indefinite suspension pending the outcome of his trial. They would make a final decision about his status as a firefighter then.

  Anthony took an empty box from the top of the lockers and began putting his personal items inside it. “Come on, Orlando, I work under Jon and not you. Anyhow, I’m done here and you all won’t have to see my face anymore. It’s not likely I will be reinstated.

  “You don’t know, that,” Orlando said.

  “Yeah, I do. It’s obvious that I can’t work in the same firehouse as Nick without him wanting to kill me. I realize I lost my head when I went after Lincoln, and I’m sorry about that. I would never hurt her or any of her family, but I will never get over it that she married him or that they will have kids together. I can’t do it.”

  “Ant, you need some serious counseling. Both of you are married to other women. Both of you should be able to work together and not have this much animosity. Dammit, this shit has grown way out of proportion. You let women come between you.”

  “Nah, Orlando, one extraordinary woman.” Anthony looked at Nick. “Can you get over it that I went after Lincoln? When you look at me what do you want to do to me because I know what I want to do to you.”

  The headache throbbing in Nick’s temples increased. He lowered his brows and frowned. “Hell no, I won’t get over it and honestly, I want to kick your ass for being here now. But I have better things to do with my time than fight with you. I have a family to support, and you ain’t worth me losing my job.”

  Anthony was equally frustrated. “I feel the same about you. Because I did let this shit get to me, I don’t know how my family will survive if I’m sent to jail. I’m just getting to know my son, and soon I might lose him and my wife.”

  “Ant, are you trying to play the sympathy card? You went after Lincoln knowing she is pregnant. You didn’t care if she lost the baby or how that loss would affect her or me. It was all about you and what you wanted. So, I don’t feel sorry for you and I am not letting her drop the charges against you,” Nick snarled.

  Anthony closed the flaps of the box. “I don’t expect her to drop the charges against me. What I expect is for you to take care of her and not do her like you did Dana. Lincoln is special. I fucked up…I can admit that now. Nick, be there for her. Take care of your babies and be the man I couldn’t be for her.”

  Orlando watched the exchange between his two friends. Anthony made a heartfelt request and Nick seemed to be listening somewhat. The ball was in Nick’s court.

  Nick leaned back on the sink. “I will take care of my wife and kids. Don’t waste years of your life worry about us.”

  Anthony picked up his box and got ready to leave. Nick thought for a moment that he saw a sliver of the real Anthony peek through the hate he now harbored for him. They used to be good friends, and now they were mortal enemies. The laughs, the fun-filled parties, and rebel-rousing days were over. The four of them would no longer hang together and watch football or team up at the fireman’s picnic to challenge other houses.

  Nick felt a weak spot open in his heart. He wanted to forgive Anthony and offer to start over, but it wasn’t possible. Too much had happened to forgive and forget. He might be able to forgive him one day in the future, but he would never forget the horror that Lincoln went through that day. That will forever be etched in his memory.

  Orlando didn’t offer Anthony a friendly goodbye. His voice was however soft and laced with hurt, but not enough for him to be kind. “This is not how we are supposed to be. This shit is a dream, and God I wish we could wake up and everything would be right again. You were my best friend, my right hand, my sidekick. I would take a bullet for you. But then you do me like this. I wasn’t shit to you all these years.”

  Anthony let a tear slide down his face. “This is real, man. I should have listened to you and Jon. It was jealousy and resentment over Nick that put me in this position, and I have to pay the price for my decisions. I know I don’t have the right to ask you a favor, but I’m going to. I just ask that the new guy that will replace me, make sure you bring him into the fold. We can’t let the fantastic four fade away forever.”

  “I’ll take that into consideration, but as you stated before, that will be up to Murad and Jon,” Orlando said.

  Anthony balanced the box under his arm. “Well, I want to tell the guys in the break room goodbye.”

  Anthony didn’t look in Nick’s direction and left the locker room without any parting words for him. The silence, the reality of what was happening slammed the wind out of both men. Nick stood at the sink, looking at the floor. He felt emotional and wished some parts of this were a dream too. The part he wanted to stay real was Lincoln coming into his life. Anthony’s losing her was definitely his gain.

  Orlando threw his hands in the air. “I don’t know what to say. All this over a damn code we made up. Starting today…no, this minute, that damn code is no longer in effect! I refuse to have my firehouse torn apart because of dumb shit. Women don’t work here, and they will not be the cause of us turning on each other ever again! Whoever you’re sleeping with is your business and not mine or the business of the guy sitting next to you. I don’t give a damn anymore about what’s going in your personal lives! We’re grown ass men and what we do behind closed doors ain’t nobody’s fucking business!”

  Nick kept a healthy distance from Orlando as the man released his rage. He got the message loud and clear it was directed at him as well as Anthony. His involvement in the triangle that broke the unity of Station 30 was just as much his fault as Anthony’s. Anthony was well-liked at the firehouse, and now he was gone. He couldn’t help but take a corner of the blame for the man
losing his career. All he had to do was back away from Lincoln when she asked for help, but he couldn’t tear himself away from her because of a lingering desire he had to be with her.

  Nick straightened his body after Orlando finished his rant, and began to pace. “Orlando, I…”

  Orlando shot him a look, and he backed down. “Not now, Nick. Just do what you’re doing, and leave me alone.”

  *****

  Nick let himself into the apartment and dropped his duffel bag on the floor. He went to the sofa and flopped down. He was glad to be home after doing the worse shift ever, and it wasn’t fires or any other emergency that made the shift unbearable. It was the deafening silence. No one was talking, and those that were, whispered together in corners. He knew a lot of the gossip was aimed at him, but he didn’t care about that. What bothered him was that Orlando had shut the door in his face.

  Lincoln came from the bedroom dressed in a pencil-styled skirt with a loose-fitting blouse and wearing sensible shoes. She was getting ready to leave for work. “Good morning, sweetheart. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “I just got in,” he said leaning his head back on the sofa. “Nick, what’s wrong? Did you have a long night?” she asked, putting on her blazer.

  “Extremely,” he replied, not clarifying on the events of the evening.

  “Well, baby, go to bed. Isadora ran into an old friend at the supermarket, and they’re out to breakfast together and then visiting flea markets afterwards. It’s no telling what she will bring home, thinking we can use it for the babies. Your mom means well, but this isn’t the 1940s; some of that stuff isn’t useful today.”

  “Yeah, she does look for bargains,” he said dryly.

  She rushed around the apartment. “You’ll have the apartment to yourself for most of the day.”

  “Okay.” As Lincoln leaned down to kiss him goodbye, he held onto her wrist. “Am I a monster, Lincoln?”

  Her shoulders slumped. “I knew something was wrong. What happened at work?”

  “Anthony quit the fire department. He came by to clear out his stuff yesterday.”