Page 76 of Drive Me Crazy

"Don't, please. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings; I just think we're not good for each other. Every time we try, something bad happens. Most importantly, I can't take care of you."

She crosses her arms. "Of course, I gave no thought to the fact you might have someone already."

"Yeah, it's not a good- wait. What? There's no one else." My stomach churns.

Her mouth smashes into a thin line. "It's fine, Ridge. I shouldn't have assumed anything about you."

"I'm so fucking lost, there is no one else."

"Why do you need a plethora of condoms in your nightstand?" As if on cue, there's a knock on the door. Harper cocks her brow and jerks the door open.

"Hey, Lover." Trixie stands front and center, sneering at Harper. "How ya doin'?"

Harper's head spins like the exorcists. "Why yes, Lover, please tell us how you're doing."

"Harper, give me one second." I hold my hand up as I turn to Trixie.

"You're fine." She lowers her gaze. "As a matter of fact, it's actually time for me to go."

"Stay." I reach for her, only for her to dodge my hand as she hurries out. There's a hollowness in my chest, nothing, not even a murmur.

Trixie positions herself between me and the opening. "Finally, I've missed you."

"And you're gonna continue," I grab my keys, pushing her back out of the door. "gotta go!"

"Hey! I came all the way over here to see you." She fists her sides.

I stop on the stairs, turning to her. "So, don't come back."

"Dude!" Mack throws her arms in the air as I rush down the stairs, she holds the back door wide. "Go!"

"I love you!" I yell, running past her and into the parking lot. Harper spins but tilts her head, looking behind me.

She jabs her finger at me, but it's not until she's running toward me that I get a clue. "Mackenzie!"

"Ridge..." I whirl back around to find Mack going down. I wrap her in my arms before she can fall to the floor. "the baby."

"C'mon!" Harper slaps my back. "Keys!"

I hand over my keys and pick Mack up. "Front or back?"

"Back! She has more room." Harper sprints to my truck and has the doors wide by the time I get there with Mack. "Get the door, I'll drive."

"Boone." Mackenzie grunts with a heavy breath.

I squeeze her hand, reassuring her we're going to be fine. "I've got it, breathe. Ya know, we're old pros at this."

"I promised him, Ridge. I swore to him he'd be there this time." Mackenzie's tears stream down her face.

My phone's in my hand, but I take just a minute for my best friend. I lean in, resting my head against hers. "I promised you I'd always be here and make sure you got everything you need. Nothing's changed."

"I love you." Mackenzie snubs.

I dry her face, kissing her forehead. "I love you. Now, let me call yo baby daddy."

"Grand Strand?" Harper whispers from the front seat, peering at me in the mirror.

I touch her shoulder, putting my cell to my ear. "Yes, and thank you. We couldn't do this without you."