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Not a hockey player.
I raced out of my condo and almost smiled. As bad as that sounded.
At least now I had my excuse to really forget about Sage for a minute.
I drove to Rome and Emily’s place. I texted Rome that I had gotten there. And, you know, maybe give Emily notice I was there. Just in case she wasn’t appropriately dressed. Or that she didn’t think someone was trying to break into her and Rome’s place.
Emily actually greeted me at the door.
Her left hand on her stomach.
Her head resting against the doorway.
Looking scared. Slightly pale. Wanting to be stubborn but secretly relieved to see me.
“Rome called me,” I said.
“He’s an idiot.”
“We know this. I can’t argue that. How about you let me come in and we just hang out for a bit?”
Emily nodded and stepped back.
She looked a little uneasy and I jumped toward her and touched her arms.
“Hey,” I said. “Listen to me, Emily. Being stubborn is fine. But you have to remember you’re making decisions for two people now. Okay? There’s no shame and no harm in needing help at all. I’m parked right out front. I can carry you if need be. No worries. How about we take a quick trip to the hospital? Just to get everything looked at.”
“No hospital,” Emily said. “It’s nothing like that. I just feel… Henry, I think I’m having an anxiety attack. I can’t figure it out. I can’t stop it. I’m thinking all these thoughts and…”
“What kind of thoughts?”
She forced a smile. “I can’t talk to you about this.”
“Sure you can. Do you know who I am? Out of all the hockey players in the world, you can tell me anything. Come on. First things first, you need to take a seat. Put your feet up. Then we’ll take some deep breaths.”
“And, what, meditate?”
I noted the cocky tone.
“You have Rome getting suction cups on his back but you can’t breathe for a second?” I asked with a big smile.
“Don’t get mouthy with me, Henry. I’m not in the fucking mood!”
Emily instantly gasped and covered her mouth. She shook her head.
I kept smiling. “It’s okay, Emily. Now are you ready to listen to me?”
“I’m so sorry for snapping at you. What is wrong with me?”
“You’re growing a human,” I said. “And not just any human. You’re growing Rome’s child.”
That got her to laugh for a second.
I helped her to her favorite spot on the couch, then helped her put her feet up.
I poured her a tall glass of water and made her take more than a few sips.
Watching her drink the water though…
