Page 126 of Embracing the Beat
“What?”
“Be nice. I’m going to park the car. See you inside.”
She harrumphs but falls into step beside West as they walk through the emergency room doors.
“We need help.” He says it loud enough to attract attention, and the squeak of rubber against linoleum grows louder before he lowers me to a wheelchair. “Something’s wrong. Her stomach.”
“Could she be pregnant?” The no-nonsense voice of a nurse breaks through the haze of pain.
“She is. She’s, uh—”
“She’s at the end of her first trimester,” Mia interrupts.
“Either of you two family?”
“No,” West admits slowly.
“Well, no,” Mia says with another huff. “But she’s my best friend—”
“Family only. There’s a waiting room over there,” the nurse directs, although I still can’t open my eyes to see where she’s telling them to go.
“Don’t leave,” I whimper, and West leans down next to me.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here, ready when you need me.” His lips are featherlight against my cheek, but his warmth disappears as he rises and the nurse wheels me away.
Tears build and fall faster than I can wipe them away.
Tears of sadness. Tears of worry. And tears because he’s saying everything I want to hear. Even if it is too late.
