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“It is,” I agreed, then gave my father a half hug.
“Aunt Annabeth, Uncle Z,” I said with a nod and a smile.
“How have you been, Reardon?” Uncle Zeke asked. “The town keeping you employed?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m surprised you’ve been able to get any work done, spending all of your time with Chloe Zahn,” Aunt Annabeth added, and I knew she’d been waiting weeks to bring this subject up.
“Now, Annabeth,” my mother began, but Aunt Annabeth just held up her hand.
“I’m not saying anything, Jenny, I just want to make sure Reardon knows what he’s getting into. It’s quite a sticky situation already, what with Zoey and Gabe together. Adding a relationship between him and Chloe to the mix is a recipe for disaster.”
I was about to tell my aunt to mind her own business, when I heard my mother say, “That’s enough,” as well as a gasp from behind me.
I turned to see Chloe in the doorway, her face stricken, as everyone in the room looked on. Obviously my aunt had not worried about being subtle.
“Chloe,” I began, taking a step toward her.
She spun and walked quickly out of the room.
“My relationship with Chloe is none of your business, but for your information, I’m in love with her, so you’re going to have to get used to her being a permanent part of my life.”
That said, I hurried out after her, calling her name just as she disappeared into the delivery room.
“Shit,” I exclaimed, clutching my hands into fists as I controlled the urge to punch a wall.
“Everything okay, Rear?” I turned to see Chris watching me wearily. “Are the baby and Aunt Z okay?”
“Yeah, buddy, of course, they’re both doing fine,” I said, feeling embarrassed about my outburst and guilty for making him worry. “C’mon, let’s go in with everyone.”
I shot one last look down the hall, then led Chris into the room with everyone to wait.
Chapter Thirty-Four ~ Chloe
I plastered on a smile and left my worries and frustrations at the door, then went inside to see my baby sister.
“Oh, Chloe, thank God you’re here,” Zoey said from her place in the bed. I could hear the beeping of the machines and see the cords and lines running from them to Zoey.
“Hey, Zo, you doing okay?” I asked as I walked to her, giving Gabe a smile as I passed him.
“Gabe won’t listen to me, so I need you,” she began. Her face was pink and there was a sheen of sweat on her forehead. I saw her teeth clench and her body tense and knew she was getting hit with a contraction.
“Don’t tense up, Zo, just breathe. Breathe and try to relax,” I said calmly, one hand going to grasp hers while the other brushed her hair back.
“Can you tell them,” she pleaded, and I saw her body sag as the contraction eased.
“Tell them what, baby?”
“I’ve changed my mind.” Zoey’s voice held a tinge of panic now. “Tell the doctors that I’ve changed my mind. I’m not ready. I want to go home.”
I wanted to laugh, but the frightened look on my sister’s face tampered it down.
“It’s going to be fine,” I assured her. “You’re doing great.”
Gabe crossed to her other side and picked up her free hand.
“You can do this, babe. Just think, today we get to meet our baby.”
