by Rylon, Jayne
“Watch where you’re going, kid.” Joe’s bass had the boy turning, eyes wide, before he hustled off into the crowd.
“I didn’t think there were gentlemen like you left in the world.” The granny beamed. “I’d say your wife is pretty lucky herself, son.”
“Ma’am.” A manager approached them. “I can take you over here so you don’t have to stand in line.”
“Thank you.” She nodded once, then swiped the pregnancy test from Joe more deftly than he would have imagined possible. “My son and I appreciate that.”
The wink she tossed in his direction caught him off guard. He laughed, then hurried to keep up with her surprisingly swift pace. In the end, she even refused to let him pay for his item or the single red rose he’d selected from the checkout station.
“Best of luck.” Mildred, his new BFF, blew him a kiss when he finished packing her groceries in her trunk.
“Thanks!” He smiled as he trotted back to Mo’s car. He glanced at his watch. Holy crap, that had taken about a decade longer than he’d hoped. Thank God for Mildred.
He hopped the guardrail dividing the lots, only to find a three-wheeled, blue-and-white meter-maid-mobile, light flashing, parallel to Morgan’s ride. “No, no, no.”
“I’m afraid so.” The petite woman spiked one hand onto her hip as though to ward off a verbal assault he didn’t intend to launch. “This lot is for customers of the Drug Shop only.”
“I don’t suppose it would do me any good to tell you about how I tried to buy a pregnancy test there except they were all out, so I had to go to the supermarket instead?” He sighed, resigned to his fate. If he had to endure the shitstorm of a lifetime in order to find a rainbow at the end of this day, he’d do it a million times over.
Hell, this would make a good story to tell his kid someday.
“Don’t waste your breath.” She shook her head. “Want to pay this here and now or through the mail?”
“Does it take longer to pay now or for you to give me some kind of voucher?” He reached for his wallet.
“Normally, I’d say paying now is faster, but our wireless credit card doohickey’s been on the fritz.” She shrugged. “You can take your chances. Heh. Maybe you already did that. Doesn’t look like your luck is so great.”
Joe tried not to glare. “Not that it’s any of your business… I’m praying this test is positive. Write me the ticket. Quickly. Please.”
She snagged a pen from her clipboard and scratched away at the triplicate forms. Joe’s teeth gritted with each swipe of her pen. How much info could there be on that damn paper?
He peered over her shoulder. Only halfway finished. Shit!
“Quit breathing down my neck, buddy.” It might have been his imagination, but her writing seemed to slow. He shuffled backward, tapping his foot when he reached his new outpost.
In a few seconds, she was scribbling along the line on the bottom, some indecipherable signature worthy of a doctor. “Here you go. Have a nice day.”
“I’m trying,” he snarled.
“Never any love for the meter maid.” She shook her head in chagrin.
Joe paused, half-crumpled into Mo’s tiny car. “You’re right. I’m sorry. That was shitty of me. Enjoy the rest of your day too.”
“Hope your girl has a bun in the oven.” She tucked herself into the mini-wagon, outrageously blanketed with flower stickers and pastel stripes, then toodled off down the street. It had to suck having a job no one appreciated. He’d give her that.
Banging his head on the steering wheel, he hauled out his cell and dialed Dave. After the third beep, he gave up. Either the guy was driving on the highway and didn’t hear the AC/DC ringer he refused to give up or he was already at the house, taking care of their women.
Probably the latter.
I’m coming, Mo. Hang in there. Joe flipped on the radio as he merged into traffic on the side street, debating whether or not to risk the beginnings of rush hour on the freeway or stick to ground roads. He checked the flow of traffic over the railing of the bridge heading out of the main part of the city, toward Sweet Treats and the small yet lush apartment he shared with the love of his life, and maybe their child.
Red lights snaked along the pavement like a bold satin ribbon. He swore and jerked the wheel with a cursory glance in the side mirror, avoiding getting trapped in the jam. Holy hell, that had been close. In his rearview, he caught sight of emergency vehicles. Their sirens ballooned then wailed, distorting as they passed him by.
Joe cursed the delay, but stopped to let another batch of emergency trucks, these heading from the other direction, join the ambulance. Probably some douchebag—on his cell phone, not paying attention—jacking everyone up. They should fine dumbasses like that for imposing on everyone else. How many times had he been snagged in the aftermath of a senseless collision on his way home from a job site?
Joe eased off the shoulder, still shaking his head.
Finally, finally, finally he swung onto their cute little street with its adorable row houses. Most of them hosted businesses on the first level. He zipped around to the garage in the back, then took the stairs two at a time with the paper bag crumpled in his fist and Morgan’s rose tucked into the front pocket of his work shirt.
Kayla met him in the entryway with a smile and a big hug. He almost crushed his friend’s wife. Relief at finally being here, home, spread through him. They could survive anything as long as they stood together. The crew. His family.
“Morgan’s napping.” She kept her voice low. “It won’t hurt to wait another hour or so until she wakes up, will it?”
Joe laughed. After all that. All his rushing. All his stress and the hijinks of his journey. Just to wait some more. If he could lie beside his lover—friend and wife—hold her and hang on to her, nothing else mattered. He’d delay an eternity as long as he had her.
“No. No rush.” He rubbed Kayla’s shoulders. “Thanks so much for helping her. I can’t tell you what it means to know you’re watching out for her.”
“No different than she would do for me. Any of the crew, you know.” She smiled.
“Speaking of, where’s Dave hiding?”
“I thought he was with you.” Kayla tilted her head, her brows drawing together.
“Nope. He dropped me off at the mall. Long story. Way long. It took forever to get the test and…” Unease tingled at the base of Joe’s neck. “Wait, he’s really not here yet?”
The delays had cost Joe at least half an hour, maybe more.
“Joe?” Kayla’s hands trembled where she clenched his arms.
His cell phone already halfway to his ear, he pasted on his best imitation of calmness. “Probably just stuck in traffic. I heard the highway is snarled.”
It seemed as if years passed while he listening to ringing. Once, twice…
Then a man who was definitely not Dave answered. “This is North Side Emergency Crew #157. Are you a direct family member of Mr. David Rosewood?”
The flashing lights.
The backed-up traffic.
The accident on the highway.
It all came together with sick certainty in Joe’s heart. He flashed cold as ice. Terrified, he bent in half. The white paper bag holding the pregnancy test fell to the floor, forgotten. Joe braced himself with one hand on his knee while the other clutched his cell.
Kayla screamed in the background.
“Yes.” He whispered something close to the truth. “I’m his brother.”
“There’s been an accident.” The no-nonsense voice barked out instructions that resonated through the panic in Joe’s soul. He noted the hospital the man indicated, repeating it back as commanded.
“Is Dave okay? What happened?” Joe probed for details.
“I can’t give you that information over the phone. Hell, I’m not even supposed to have answered. But I got a family too. Meet your brother over at the hospital. Get there as fast as you can. And if you believe in praying, you might want to try that. We
’re doing everything we can.”
Joe still held the disconnected phone, staring at the screen while Kayla alternated biting the knuckles of her fist and pummeling his shoulders. No matter the pain she inflicted, he couldn’t seem to unfreeze. Until a tired, weak imitation of Morgan’s voice called from their bedroom doorway. He peered over his shoulder at her, scrambling to stretch himself upright.
“What’s happening?” She pressed her hands to her stomach. “I thought I heard yelling.”
“It’s Dave.” Joe couldn’t believe he got the two syllables past the bile and terror swirling in his throat. “There’s been an accident. It’s bad.”
“Oh, God.” Morgan reached out to steady herself on the jamb, but Joe saw her losing the battle with gravity.
He dove toward his wife, cradling her against his chest as she fainted. But the motion left Kayla alone. Without him to block her, she charged out the door. He couldn’t be in two places at once. Refusing to fail his friend in this too, he deposited Morgan gently on the sofa, then chased after Kay.
Chapter Five
Kayla’s world instantly leeched of all color, life and happiness. Black and white shapes swirled around her. She could think of nothing but closing the distance between her and her soul mate.
Dave needed her. She should never have ignored the discordant rumblings in her gut when he hadn’t answered her call or texts. He never failed to know when she needed him.
Horror the likes of which she’d never experienced before drove her to fly down the stairs. She didn’t care that she slipped on one of the risers. The descent went quicker as she slid, twisting her ankle just a bit.
“Whoa, there.” Neil absorbed the full impact of her weight and the momentum she’d gathered as she tumbled. He staggered a few steps, but didn’t fall. Instead, he blanketed her in the warmth of his sinewy arms. “Where’s the fire?”
James and Devon giggled from behind their partner.
The lighthearted tinkle didn’t linger when they caught sight of her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She wouldn’t have known except Devon tucked in beside her mate and reached up, brushing them away with her thumb. “Oh no, Morgan wasn’t really pregnant?”
“No,” Kayla sobbed.
“Shit.” Neil brushed his chin over her head, trying to comfort her. “That blows, but we can try again. It’ll be fun.”
No amount of thrashing could break Kay free of the prison of his embrace. Too strong for his own good, he didn’t realize he trapped her. She wasn’t proud, but she bit him. Hard.
“Ouch! Damn.” He let go, buffing the ache she’d inflicted. “What—?”
“It’s not that.” Devon understood. She lunged for Kayla’s wrist, wrapping her fingers around it. “Something else is fucked up. Wait. Kay. Let us help you. Tell us how. Anything. Just not on your own.”
James approached from the other side, speaking calmly, his hands held palms out as though she were a wild animal. “We’re not stopping you. Just want to go with you. We’ll drive. You’re too upset. Where are we going?”
“H-hos-pital.” She surrendered an undignified screech.
“Oh, no.” James encroached on her space. “Dave. His truck isn’t here.”
“Acc—” Her teeth chattered so hard she couldn’t say the rest. She didn’t have to.
“Okay, okay. In the car, honey.” James ushered her into the backseat while Neil bolted for the apartment to snag the keys. Joe collided with him at the top of the landing. They discussed for two seconds before disappearing into the apartment.
Soft hands angled Kayla’s face toward Devon, who snuggled up to her side on the bench seat. “Focus on me for a second. We’re going to get through this together. I’m going to ask you some questions, yes or no. Just nod if you can, okay?”
Kay’s nod came out more like a jerk.
“Good, good.” Devon petted her all over. She might have enjoyed the bold caresses from the usually timid woman any other time. Her system was attuned to the touch. Comfort permeated the shell of ragged emotions hardening around her.
“We’re going to the hospital, right?”
Kayla bobbed her head hard enough to fling tears onto her shirt. She didn’t worry for one second about what Devon would think of that. The other woman offered unconditional support, and Kayla intended to seize it with both trembling hands.
“Which one, sweetheart?” Devon might have been the smaller of the two, but she still managed to rock Kayla, hugging her tight.
“S-Sa…”
“Shit, sorry. St. Anthony’s?” Dev supplied the missing link.
Kayla nodded again. Before she could get frustrated by the delay, the door beside her opened. Joe stood there with a floppy Morgan in his arms.
“Ah, crap.” Devon tugged on Kayla’s belt loops, dragging her to the center of the backseat. “Looks like we need to make some room. Squeeze in next to me, Kay. We can fit. Not much different than piling into your bed that time after the guys went ice fishing.”
All Kayla could remember was the heat and pressure of Dave, riding her from behind, sheltering her after the storm of their passion had rained out. Oh God. What would she do without that? He had to be okay. She would know if he wasn’t. Surely if the bright flame of his spirit had extinguished, she would have died along with him, their hearts so entangled that a visceral bond had formed.
She buried her face in Devon’s neck and sobbed. Huddled close as could be, they sank when the seat dipped behind her as Joe somehow must have contorted himself into the backseat, still cradling his groggy, though conscious, wife. James and Neil claimed the front.
“St. Anthony’s,” Devon muttered to one of her men.
Kayla couldn’t bother to look up long enough to see which drove them to find out her fate. She guessed it was Neil when James spoke low, yet urgently, into his phone. “Mike. Yeah, not good. No. We don’t know about the baby yet. But…it’s Dave. There’s been an accident. It’s serious. No other news. Meet us at St. Anthony’s.”
Devon reached around to buckle herself in then helped Kayla with her seatbelt. Dave was always so conscious of safety. She could only hope today had been no exception. This extended family of hers was her world, but without Dave, there was no universe to exist in.
She hiccupped, struggling to draw in a breath despite the stars dancing behind her lids. Dave needed her, she had to be strong for him.
Don’t give up, Dave.
I’ll be with you soon, I promise.
I would take your pain if I could.
You’re not alone. Never.
I swear I’ll do everything I can to help you.
Just don’t surrender.
I can’t live without you.
Please. Please. Please.
Thoughts rolled through her mind. Rapid, strong and endless, her litany drowned out anything her friends attempted to communicate. All she understood was that they were there. By her side.
Dev squeezed her fingers and Joe did his best to shelter both Morgan and her with the angle of his broad body. James shifted in his seat to lay a palm on her knee. She didn’t look up again until the car screeched to a halt under the portico of the emergency ward of the hospital.
Then she practically climbed over Devon to exit first.
James and Dev each grabbed one of her hands. They ran beside her through the automatic doors and skidded to the first nurse’s station in sight, relieved to find Mike and Kate playing good cop, bad cop with the harried woman behind the polished glass island.
“Here. See.” Mike held out his arms for Kay. “This is his wife.”
“And the rest of you are his brothers? Short, tall, blond, brunette, skinny and ripped?” She hurrumphed as she scanned their features. Neil and Joe straggled in. “What do we have here? A long-lost sister too? What’s wrong with that girl?”
Joe held Morgan so the nurse could inspect her. Despite her weak protests, he didn’t seem like he planned to set her down any time soon. “My wife fainted. And I think
she might be pregnant. Please help?”
“Oh, you kids are just making my day.” The thick, older woman shook her head. Her cheeks might have gotten more colorful. The sexy café-au-lait shade of her skin made it more difficult to tell. She shouted over her shoulder. “Mel, we need a bed. Pronto. As soon as we send the rest of this gang to the trauma waiting room.”
“Trauma? What does that mean? Somebody please tell me something.” Kayla begged for more information. She peeked at the nurse’s nametag. “Anything, Ms. Ofelia.”
“Your guy is in surgery, honey.” Her gruff exterior melted around the edges. “This is where I’m supposed to say I don’t know squat and tell you to wait it out, but I’m not going to bullshit you. I chatted up one of the EMTs in the break room. He looked as if he’d spent a day digging a ditch with his bare hands. Exhausted, you know? Sometimes we give everything we have to this place, to our patients, and it’s not enough. He had that look. Things are grim. They almost lost your husband a few times in the ambulance on the way here.”
Kate cried out. Mike drew her close to his side, chaffing her arms until she nodded, inhaling slow and deep through her nose.
“He bled a ton. If he weren’t such a beast of a man, he probably wouldn’t have stood a chance at all. They got him patched up as best they could. His left leg is causing the most concern right now. They might not be able to save it. And if they can, it won’t be pretty. I’m sorry.”
His leg? Kayla couldn’t give a shit right then. “But Dave? He…”
“You’re going to have to wait and see. Even after all that, they’re gonna have to run a battery of tests. No telling what else got banged up that they can’t see straight off. We can’t issue guarantees here, I’m sorry. It was a horrible accident. They’re giving him every chance they can. Now he has to fight.”
“He will.” Mike spun from Kate to brace Kayla with one hand on each of her shoulders, his elbows locked. “You hear me? He will battle with every breath to stay with you. Do not give up on him. He’s stubborn and strong. You’ll see.”
