Page 101 of Accidentally in Love

Chapter Twenty-Four

NOLAN

I looked up when I saw Avery coming back from the bathroom. I wanted to go home with her, but I had a lot of work to do tonight. All that faded away when I saw her in tears.

I jumped up in concern. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head.

“Avs, what is it?”

“I think… something’s wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

She grimaced and wrung her hands. “There was some blood.”

I felt the color drain from my face, and my brain fired off red flashing warning signs. I swallowed hard. “How much?”

She shrugged. “Just a little spotting. Maybe it’s nothing to worry about?”

“Okay, let’s go.”

“What?”

I helped her put on her jacket, but she was in a daze. I felt an ache in my chest when I looked at her tear-stained face. “We’re going to the hospital to make sure it’s nothing, okay?”

“Okay,” she muttered.

I cupped her face. “It’s gonna be okay.”

“What if it’s not?” she blubbered.

I wiped her tears away with the back of my thumbs. “Stay here. I’m going to go get the car. Okay?”

“We only live a block away; we can walk.”

I shook my head firmly. “No, baby, I don’t want to risk it.” I gestured to the table we had been sitting at. “Sit, and I’ll text you when I bring the car around back.”

Her tears were flowing as she gingerly sat back down.

I kissed her quickly. “It’s going to be okay.”

She looked like she was in shock. I put on a brave face for her, but inside I was screaming in agony. I had to be strong for her, even though I was scared shitless. She was my light, and I wasn’t letting her die out because of her fear.

I ran back into the office, and Declan gave me an annoyed look at the outburst. He was wearing his glasses, which meant he was deep in expense reporting. He said staring at spreadsheets in his contacts hurt too much. His expression morphed into concern when he saw my face.

“Something’s wrong with the baby,” I blurted, and I clenched my hands into fists. “I gotta take Avery to the hospital.”

“Go!” Declan said to me. “You don’t have to tell me anything. Make sure your family is okay.”

“I…”

“Dude, go! Make sure Avs and my niece are fine!”

I walked out of the brewery, but I would be lying if I said I walked home. I ran. Like my life depended on it, but it wasn’t my life I was worried about. I let myself take a quick breath and tried to calm down when I walked up to my driveway and into my car. I needed to be calm for Avery. I needed to be the hand she held tonight. I needed to be her rock.

I put my key in the ignition and drove the short drive to the back parking lot of the brewery. I shot off a text to Avery, and she came out the back door in a flash. I threw it in park and jumped out to help her into the passenger seat. As soon as she was settled, I got back into the driver’s seat and drove off to the hospital.