Page 147 of Finding Redemption

Heat radiates from me I’m mad as hell but not sure at whom. I shouldn’t have spoken to her the way I did. She might never have left without me.

“We’re on the way.” Riley ends the call and I find Alden’s number.

Dialing it, he picks up on the second ring. “Hello.”

“It’s Walker.” I swallow past the knot forming in my throat.

“Hey, man. How’s it going?” Alden answers.

“Not so good. Reese was attacked in the parking lot at the center. I called an ambulance and rode here with her. She’s out cold. I’m not on her contacts and I knew I could call you quicker than they would.” My hands shake, fear gripping my heart, making it hard for me to breathe.

“I’m on the way.” I hear keys jingling in the background. “What about the baby?”

What did he say? The air leaves my lungs, and the room spins. I feel lightheaded.

“Wha-what baby?” I blink as if it’s going to help me hear better.

“Fuck!” He slams his car door. “I told her to tell you. She was supposed to do it this evening.”

“She didn’t get a chance. We got into an argument. That’s why she left by herself instead of with an escort. We saw the attack on camera. I ran like a bat outta hell to get to her. But she never said anything about a baby.” I fall into the seat behind me, a heaviness forming in the pit of my stomach.

He sighs heavily. “I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”

“I’ll tell the front desk and wait until you get here.” I end the call.

My entire universe tilts. I’m numb as I wander over to the nurse’s desk, stunned. “Reese Morgan is in the back. I forgot to mention she’s pregnant. She was unconscious when they brought her in. I thought you would need to know.”

“Yes, we do. I’ll run back now.” She pauses. “How far along is she?”

I shake my head. “I’m not sure.”

“All right,” she says before hurrying to the back.

Riley. I need to warn them. I hit his number, and Ava answers immediately. “Hey.”

“Wait in the car. I’ll be out as soon as Alden’s here.”

“What? Why aren’t you staying?” I can barely hear Ava over the roar of my heart in my ears.

“She probably doesn’t want me here, considering she’s pregnant and hasn’t told me.”

“The hell you say?” Riley words echo through the phone.

I nod before I can speak. “I-I’ll let you know.”

“We’ll be waiting.” I end the call as Alden rushes through the emergency room doors.

“Man, I am so sorry.” He takes my hand, shaking it. I’m so detached, I feel like I’m in a dream. Alden hurries to the nurse’s station to get information about Reese. “She’s having tests done. They’re almost finished.”

“I’m gonna wait until we know she’s okay, then I’m gonna head out.”

“Stay,” he pleads as I join him sitting in the waiting room. “She’ll want to talk to you. I’m sure of it.”

“Alden, this is bigger than the two of us now. Hell, I’m not even sure I matter anymore.” Bile rises as I think of all the ways I may not matter. “It’s been weeks since I’ve seen her. It’s obvious she doesn’t love me. This may well not be my place.”

He glares at me. “There’s no one else. She loves you, but she’s got this screwed up idea about what’s happened that you’ll never forgive her for it.”

“Maybe she…” I eye him as vomit threatens at the thought. “Maybe she’s found someone else.”