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“No problem.” Jace does a U-turn and heads back.
No matter how much I keep telling myself to focus on the baby, it’s so difficult, and the pain I’m trying to keep away won’t stay away forever. It’ll creep in when I least expect it to.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ryder
Dahlia had looked so good back at Kix and, if I hadn’t gotten out of there, I’d have dragged her inside seconds before I’d have gotten her naked and beneath me.
I seriously don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me. Dahlia was standing in front of me wanting to talk and I’d acted like a toddler and turned my back.
I’ll be lucky if she’ll ever talk to me again. Perhaps if I’m not taken off guard and have time to get used to the idea, I’ll be able to stay longer than a few minutes.
Instead, I’d spent most of the afternoon hiding out at the local fishing hole, keeping to myself. A couple of the guys tried to bring me into the conversation but they gave up soon enough.
It’s nighttime now, as I walk through the hospital doors and I can’t help wondering where Dahlia has gone. Would she go and stay with Reece, or maybe Mara would help her out. I’m not sure I even want to know the answer considering he would be staying with her.
Probably be my luck to bump into her at the hospital, after all, she is a close friend of Mia’s. Surely she’d come to the hospital to visit her friend and to meet Mia’s son.
Liam rang me a couple of hours ago, letting me know his son had arrived, and both mama and baby were doing well.
I hate being inside hospitals with their long corridors, small rooms and the sterile smell that gets up your nose and clings to your clothes.
But Liam’s a good friend and hearing him on the phone, all choked up but full of excitement, had me heading here. I’d have been here earlier but I’d wanted to give them some time together before showing up. No doubt their immediate families would have been here then as well.
As I leave the elevator, I spot Phoenix and Thalia in conversation. Thalia sees me first and smiles, followed by Phoenix.
I hold out my hand to Phoenix. “Congratulations. Are you Uncle Jack or Uncle Phoenix?” I ask.
“Jack, and thanks.” He grins and pulls Thalia under his arm.
“You might want to go in now, Ryder,” Thalia suggests. “We’ve just come out and I know Phoenix’s parents will be here soon.”
“I will if you’ll direct me to the right room, and thanks.”
“That one.” Thalia points at the door behind them.
“If I don’t see you before, I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“You will,” Phoenix confirms, as he walks toward the elevator with Thalia.
Deception is playing at Kix tomorrow evening and, as usual, all the tickets have sold out. They have no ambition to take their band on the road, and only want to keep it local now that they’re all settling down with their women and jobs.
I don’t blame them, really.
Knocking on the door Thalia indicated, I hear a soft, “Come in,” so I enter, and can’t help the grin splitting my face when I’m greeted with Mia sitting on the one comfortable chair in the room cuddling her son.
I click the door closed and move toward her. I crouch down and get a look at the little fellow. Joshua Henry has a head of dark hair, and looks just like his mama. His features are soft in sleep and his tiny hands are curled into a fist as they rest against Mia.
“He’s beautiful, Mia. Congratulations.”
Mia smiles. “Thank you, and he is, isn’t he? I can’t stop looking at him.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“The nurse told me it’s best to start them off as I mean to go on, by letting him sleep in his crib instead of my arms.” She smiles. “But I need to hold him.”
“I’d want to do that as well.”
