Page 47 of Playing It Forward

I hit the button to unlock the doors and place Terri in the front seat. When I reach across her for the seatbelt, she bats me away.

“I’m not an invalid. I’m only letting you do this because…” She motions to her stomach.

“Glad you’re not an invalid because I have no idea where the hospital is. You need to give me directions.”

She rolls her eyes. At least she’s no longer panicking.

I shut her door and inhale deep breaths as I rush around to the driver’s side. I need to remain calm for Terri. I’m terrified. Did I hurt the baby? Is this proof of what a crappy dad I’m going to be?

But this isn’t about me. It’s about Terri and the baby. I need to keep it together for them.

Chapter 16

It’s hard to believe in forever when you’ve watched people fall apart.

Terri

I chew on my lip as Nolan drives toward the hospital. It’s a good thing it isn’t far because his driving is beyond erratic. First, speeding up. Then, swearing like a naughty pirate and slowing down. If I was feeling nauseous today, I’d have thrown up all over the car.

We arrive at the hospital and Nolan parks in front of the emergency room.

“You can’t park here.”

“And yet I did.” He jumps out and hurries around to open my door.

“I’m serious, Nolan. You can’t block the ambulance.”

A nurse rushes out with a wheelchair. Nolan lifts me out of my seat and places me in the wheelchair.

“I don’t need a wheelchair, and you need to move the SUV.”

He kisses my hair. “Please calm down. It’s not good for the baby.”

He’s right. I need to be calm. I blow out a breath. “I’m trying.”

He throws the keys to a security guard. “Can you move this out of the way?”

The security guard stares at him. “Shit. Are you Nolan Allen?”

“I’ll sign whatever you want and get you a jersey, if you’ll move the SUV.”

The guard rushes to the vehicle. “Thanks, man.”

“There. All handled.” Nolan wheels me inside.

We don’t make it to the check-in desk before Dr. Allens comes rushing toward us. “What happened?”

“Some quarterback thought it’d be fun to nail me in the nose.” I lift the napkin from my face to show her the damage.

The doctor motions for us to follow her. I wait until we’re behind closed doors to speak.

“I don’t care about my nose. I want to check on the baby.”

Her eyes widen, and she nods toward Nolan. “The baby?”

“He knows. He’s the daddy.”

Nolan offers her his hand. “Nice to meet you, doc.”