Page 133 of Embracing the Beat
WEST
Almost two and a half hours later, the doctor still hasn’t come by. Michaela is dozing in the hospital bed, our hands joined over her abdomen. I started to pull my hand back once, afraid she was uncomfortable, but she gripped my fingers, her murmured Stay enough to keep me right where I was. She shifts, and the necklace catches the light, drawing my attention.
I’m going to be a father.
The thought is quickly followed by another.
I will do everything in my power to protect my family.
“Michaela,” I lean close to whisper in her ear.
Her cornflower blue eyes flutter open, training hazily on me.
“I’ll be right back.”
Doubt furrows her eyebrows, and I shift my lips to the lines, kissing them gently.
“I promise.” My throat tightens under a fist of regret.
I hate how she still doubts me. But it’s my own fault.
And I’m going to make sure I never give her reason to doubt me again.
It’s almost midnight. The sounds from the ER are muted, quiet. Cathy glances up from her spot at the nurse’s station, and I point toward the exit. She nods, and I turn my attention back to what I need to do next.
A handful of people still sit in the waiting room, including Mia and Garrett, while Sawyer leans against the wall. Has he moved at all from his sentry? Three sets of eyes lock on me, concern for Michaela and the baby coloring their features.
I asked Cathy to come out and update them all earlier, reluctant to leave Michaela’s side, and she’d agreed once Michaela had given her permission.
“They’re fine,” I say first, watching tension drain from all three of them.
Even though they know she was dehydrated, I don’t tell them about the other words Michaela mentioned.
I plan to Google placental abruption later, but I completely understand miscarriage, and my stomach still clutches thinking about what could have happened.
“The nurse mentioned she might go home tonight?” Sawyer asks.
I nod. “We’re waiting for the doctor to review everything and start her discharge.”
“They’re not keeping her overnight? Just to make sure?”
“I don’t think so. But that’s up to the doctor.”
He nods but doesn’t say anything else.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” I ask him, and his eyebrows lift in surprise. “Outside.”
Garrett’s gaze bounces between Sawyer and me, his concern clear. I’d like to tell him he has nothing to worry about, but I can’t speak for Sawyer. My jaw twinges at the memory of the right hook he delivered alongside the paternity results.
Sawyer jerks his head once, walking away without saying another word, and I follow him, preparing myself for what his reaction to me might be as soon as we step outside the automatic doors.
“What the fuck do you want?” He rounds on me the second the balmy air hits us, and I gesture for him to step off to the side of the entrance. I’m not interested in putting on a show.
He stomps over, his eyes never leaving me.
“Well?” he asks.
“I’m sorry you hate me,” I tell him calmly, not letting his temper ignite my own. “That I fucked up a twenty-year friendship by being an idiot. But I’m not going anywhere.”
