Page 89 of Loving Kai

“He’s sick. Just normal baby sick. But he had a febrile seizure.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s rough to watch.”

Abe scowled. “How come you both know what that is?”

Justin put a hand on his chest. “I’m a first responder. I may not be a paramedic, but I’ve seen a lot.”

Wes held up his hand. “I’m just not an idiot.”

“Wow. Thanks, brother.”

Justin laughed. “So, what’s the plan here, guys?”

“I need to get Abe home. But I don’t know how to get his bike home.”

“Right. I could have it impounded.”

Abe took a step forward. “No.”

Justin laughed. “I’m kidding. Who do we wake up this time of night to come pick up your damn bike? Does Maggie still have your truck?”

“Yes, but we’re not waking her up.”

“She’s got the ramps, too. Unless she took them out.”

“I don’t want you to call Maggie. Call Luke.”

Wes pulled out his phone and dialed. “Sorry to wake you, Maggie.” He glanced at Abe, who muttered a curse. “I need a big favor.” He stepped a couple of feet away from Abe. “We need to move Abe’s motorcycle, and since you have his truck and the ramps… no, he’s fine. Not another accident.” He listened for a moment. “Smith River Park. Okay. Thanks, Maggie.” He ended the call. “She’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”

Abe dropped onto the seat of the picnic table. “Damn you.”

“She’s happy to help.”

Chapter twenty-two

“That is so not funny.”

Abe knew he was being an ass, but he didn’t want Maggie to know how badly he’d screwed up. To get away from his brothers, he walked down to the water’s edge and stared gloomily into the dark water. Was it just a few hours ago that Kai was giggling and throwing pebbles not far from here?

A fish slapped the water nearby, and the sound made the frogs stop croaking for a moment. When they resumed a few minutes later, Maggie pulled up in the truck. Abe sighed. There was no getting away from it. He tugged at the bottom of his T-shirt and ran a hand through his hair. Then he took his hat from his back pocket, where he’d stuck it, and put it on, turning it backward.

He joined his brothers as Maggie left the truck and approached them. “Is someone going to explain to me what’s going on?”

Wes glanced at Abe, who shrugged, then turned to Maggie. “Abe is suffering from some self-doubt tonight. He thought maybe he could find his confidence in the bottom of a few beers.”

Abe scowled at him. “Thanks, man.” He looked at Maggie. “I’m fine.”

“Hmm. You look a little discombobulated.”

“Yeah. That. That’s what I am.”

“Where’s Kai?”

Justin looked at Abe. “He’s with Mom. He was running a pretty high fever, but it’s down now. He’s going to be fine.”

Maggie held up a hand. “Okay. Um…so the bike?”

“Yes, the bike. Thanks for coming, by the way.”