Page 140 of Ruin The Friendship
Grace snatches the phone from my palm, taking over the conversation. “Hi, Dottie. Do you think you can convince her it’s time to go to the hospital?”
I can’t hear what Dottie is saying, but Grace hums in agreement with whatever Dottie says.
“Yep. Her contractions are five minutes apart now. She’s been contracting consistently for over an hour, they’ve just shortened in timing.” Grace rattles off the timing of my most recent ones, then listens for a moment.
When this contraction finishes, I hold my hand back out for the phone. Grace slides it back into my palm, and I put it back to my ear.
“Hi, sorry,” I say.
“I think it’s time to go to the hospital. Even if it’s a false alarm, it’s better to go in than be stuck at the arena, or godforbid, hit the end-of-game traffic when you’re too far gone.”
Shit. I hadn’t thought of that.
“Okay. You’re right. I feel guilty, though. Fletcher’s going to look up to the suite and panic when I’m not there.”
The thought alone makes my heart hurt.
“He’s going to be more stressed if you deliver the baby in the suite or in his car,” Dottie replies.
“Can you come?” I ask, needing her here.
“I’m already packing, honey. Ron’s getting the animals straightened away and calling the neighbor. That darn emu, Dave, is being a menace as always. We’ll be there as soon as possible.”
“Thank you.”
A sense of peace washes over me. Dottie will be here soon.
We say our goodbyes, I promise to update her as much as I can, and I pass my phone back to Grace.
“Can you take me to the hospital?” I ask.
A heavy sigh of relief leaves both Grace and Zoey as they nod. “Yes, of course. I’ll take you to the hospital, and Zoey can run to your apartment and grab your hospital bags.”
Nodding, I exhale a heavy breath. “Thank you. Can you also text Fletcher and let him know? I know he won’t see it until after the game, but I need him to know I’m okay.”
“Already done,” Grace says as she puts her phone in the back pocket of her jeans.
I can do this. I’ve been preparing for nine months, and now it’s here. Am I ready? Honestly, I’m not sure, but I don’t have time to think about it.
The second period is almost done, and we’re up by one.Adam gets a breakaway pass from Fletcher and flies across the ice toward the goal. Zoey shrieks as he shoots, the puck flying between the goalie’s legs and into the net.
The crowd erupts as the horn blares, and another contraction hits me. The goal song plays, and I try my best not to curse every person in this arena. Now isn’t the time to celebrate. It feels like my body is being ripped to shreds.
Grace puts pressure on my lower back as I breathe through the contraction. The pressure helps, but only marginally.
The goal celebration ends, and thankfully, so does my contraction. The girls help me stand up straight and lead me out. The walk to Grace’s car is a blur. We have to stop twice while I have a contraction, but soon enough, we’re on our way to the hospital, and Zoey is going to my apartment with instructions on everything she needs to grab.
This is not at all how I thought it would go, but all things considered, I’m glad I’m with the people I am.
60
ROOM SEVEN-TEN
FLETCHER
Ibreathe heavily as I climb over the boards, my heart pounding as I finish my shift. Adam scored a few minutes ago, but we are only up by one goal, so there is still a lot of work to do.
The horn blares, calling the end to the second period, and we make our way into the locker room. I glance up at the suite before leaving the bench. I don’t see any of the girls, but they’re probably getting snacks—and knowing Lydia in the last few weeks, she’s probably in the bathroom.
