Page 123 of Playing It Forward

“I’m driving her to the hospital. She’s been having contractions for hours.”

I scowl. “For hours? I was home this morning.”

“She was worried she was experiencing those fake contractions.”

And she didn’t tell me. She doesn’t want to ruin my coaching career. She needs to stop worrying and lean on me. I have strong shoulders for a reason.

“Did you phone the doctor?”

“Jasmine said to get to the hospital.”

Dr. Reynolds said to go to the hospital? Shit. This is it. The moment we’ve been waiting for. “I’m on my way.”

I hang up and sprint across campus. I had to be on the other side of the stadium when the call came? Doesn’t matter. I keep in shape.

“Coach Allen!” a student shouts and I wave. No time to stop.

I reach my SUV and jump inside. I’m driving away before I close the door. I push down on the pedal and drive as fast as I can and still be safe. I’m not missing the birth of our daughter.

Terri was on to something when she nicknamed our baby the little mermaid. We found out she’s having a girl a while ago. I hope the baby looks just like my sprite.

I approach the bridge and exhale a breath of relief. It’s not busy. This bridge is the bane of my existence when the tourists descend on Smuggler’s Hideaway.

The second I’m on the island, I notice a police car behind me. I ignore it. They can trail me all the way to the hospital.

But the police car’s light switches on as it passes me. The police officer waves for me to follow her once she’s in front. I don’t have time for this, but she doesn’t drive to the police station. She leads me to the hospital. We pull into the parking lot and she waves before driving off.

She probably knew Terri was in labor before I did. Small town life. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I hurry inside and the receptionist immediately points to the elevator. “Fourth floor. Room 402.”

I nod my thanks as I sprint down the hallway. A few people are waiting for the elevator. I ignore it and rush up the stairs.

I’m panting by the time I enter room 402.

“Sprite!”

Terri smiles over at me. “You made it.” Her brow wrinkles. “Why are you sweating? And gasping for air?”

“Ran here.”

“You ran here from the college?”

I wave my hand in dismissal. “Ran to my SUV. Ran up the stairs.”

She smiles. “Got your workout in for the day.”

She teases me about working out all the time. You wake up at four a.m. one Sunday to get a run in.

Dr. Reynolds sweeps into the room. “Daddy made it just in time.”

“Thank god,” Charlie mutters. I hadn’t noticed him standing in the corner. “I’ll be in the waiting room.”

“Thanks, Charlie.”

He smiles at me. “Anytime, kiddo.”

Dr. Reynolds sits on a stool and rolls her way in between Terri’s legs. “Very good. You’re fully dilated. Are you ready to push?”