Page 62 of Holding On

“Why is my husband coming here?” Vivian looks around, just as confused as the rest of us.

“There’s a small crowd gathering out front and…” Jack doesn’t want to tell me, let alone look at me.

“What is it?” I demand.

“Rick is out there. He’s making statements to the press and doing an impromptu interview.” Jack’s face is controlled but his eyes reveal his fury. Cami jumps up and runs over to talk to her boss before coming back and gathering her things with the rest of us.

“He can’t be here. I still have an order of protection against him.” My tone is lifeless, but my blood has already gone cold at the mention of his name.

“Jett is the one that alerted me. He already called the Sheriff, but I don’t think he’s technically violating it unless he comes in here while you are here. So, we will be going out the back and leaving as soon as Sheriff Eddie shows up, which should be about … now.” Liam signals Jack and we start moving.

“I’m sorry about this, ladies. Really, I appreciated you coming out so much.” I try to properly thank them, but my brain is partially offline. How did Rick know I was here?

The online gossip sites.

They’ve been ripping me apart for being heartless in the wake of Roman’s death. Jack has tried to protect me, but I’ve looked at them enough to keep a pulse on what’s being said about me—and plenty of it is downright awful.

However they found out I was in Forrest Falls, they’ve now brought the asshole right to my front step—or to Java Jive’s front step. Cami follows Jack, Liam, and me out the back door.

As we get into Liam’s car, I turn to Cami. “Don’t you need to stay and finish your shift?”

Cami shakes her head and reaches for my hand. “Nope, I’m exactly where I need to be.”

I’m not used to people putting me first, but I’m really grateful that Cami is here—even as we run away from the devil himself.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Walker

Big Sister Eloise has something she’d like to share with her uncles.

Finn

…Not Auntie Sav?

Me

I bet Sav’s already there.

Theo

Of course she is—Sav’s been with her every step of the way. Like she’d be anywhere else?

Walker

Yeah, we’re so grateful for that too. She went into labor last night and was a champ. Sav held her other hand while Viv pushed. Both babies and mama are doing well. Viv wanted Eloise to be the first family member to meet her brothers and Murphy just brought her up to the hospital.

Walker

[Photo of Eloise grinning sitting on Vivian’s hospital bed holding two newborns wrapped in blue blankets, one with a navy hat and one with a light blue hat, with help from her mama’s arms]

Ryan

Proud big sister!!

Liam

This is the best text I’ve gotten in a really long time. Cheers to the Bennett party of five!