Page 150 of First in Line

“Both.”

“He got better, yes. But I didn’t. He immediately began talking about returning to work as soon as he could. Which added to my anxiety.”

“What’s his job?”

“Formula 2. He’s a driver.”

“Ah, hence the accident… Listen, stress by itself usually isn’t dangerous for a pregnancy. But high blood pressure can be, and chronic stress can contribute to that. Hypertension during pregnancy can lead to complications we want to avoid, like preeclampsia or placental abruption.”

I watch as he stands from his desk to take out a blood pressure monitor from a cabinet. Familiar with it, I extend my arm so he can wrap it around it. “It was too high when I took one a couple of weeks ago.”

“I saw the readings in your file, yes. Let’s see whether things improved or worsened.”

I stare at the numbers while he does the test, unsure how to read them. “Hm… You’re one-forty-five over ninety-five. We’re entering concerning territory.”

“Really?”

He nods. “We’ll run urine and blood tests, and I’ll arrange for an ultrasound today. I’ll need to take your tension again in four hours. Are you okay to stay?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Alright. I’ll find a nurse to handle your samples.”

He leaves me alone in his office, and I’m pretty sure that if the blood pressure monitor were still strapped to me, it’d be sky-high. Maybe I can do prenatal yoga. Or meditation. Something to help me learn how to control my anxiety.

Taking a deep, soothing breath, I pass a hand over the curve of my belly. “Daddy’s job is stressing us out, isn’t it?” I softly ask.

I’m still waiting for a nurse when my phone goes off. It’s Jackson’s ringtone. I grab my bag from the empty chair next tome and take my phone out of it. When I pick up, he immediately asks, “So? How is it going?”

“I’m not sure. He said we need to run tests. But my blood pressure wasn’t good. He talked about preeclampsia and placental rupture or something. Jax, I’m scared it might be something bad.”

“Fuck,” he mutters. “I’ll finish as fast as I can over here and come to the hospital, okay?”

I look up at the ceiling, trying to contain the tears that gather in my eyes. He immediately knew I needed him. “Yes. Thank you.”

“Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s nothing, princess.”

I nod, even though he can’t see me. “See you soon, Jax.”

“Love you, Evie.” He hangs up, and I’m alone in the office again.

I shouldn’t let his job affect me so much. His accident wasn’t even his fault, but the fault of the two drivers in front of him. They’re the ones who messed up, not Jax. Yet they got to walk out of their cars that day, as if nothing happened, while Jax was covered in blood and rushed to the hospital.

And in three days, he’s flying to Qatar for his first race since the accident. He only missed one race during his recovery, Budapest, which is good for his stats. I’m sure Altron already wants him for their Formula One team, but he still has to prove himself in the long run.

Deep down, I knew his job was dangerous. How could driving that fast not be? But he’s never been in a serious accident before. Nothing more than some light contacts or minor collisions. His car flipping around right before my eyes was a reality check I never saw coming. And then the way his car was on fire, or how he couldn’t get out on his own… It scared me beyond words. When someone came to get me, I was a nervous wreck, unable to think straight.

I’ve seen the nurse, and my samples have gone to the lab by the time Jackson arrives. I’m actually back in the obstetrician’s office, on the examination table by the ultrasound machine, when he finds me.

Concern is on his face, eyebrows knitted close together. The scar on the right one is still pink, like the one below on his cheekbone. Despite everything, the doctors said he was incredibly lucky that day. He came close to losing not only his eye but also his job. His dream.

“Hey,” he says softly, crossing the room in three quick strides.

“Hey.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m waiting for the doctor. He needs to look for what could be causing the spotting.”