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“The heating pad really helps,” I say, lying on my side with pillows surrounding me. “I think I’m going to be sleeping with this for the rest of my life.”
He chuckles. “As long as you don’t keep it on too long at one stretch.”
“I won’t.”
Ten minutes later, we both hear a commotion coming from the side door. I hear Dylan mumbling as shit is being knocked over.
“For Christ’s sake,” Evan mutters, stalking out of my room and stomping down the hallway. Shit, he’s just as pissed as I am.
“Are you fucking kiddin’ me?” I hear Evan roar.
“Evan?” Alex asks, and I can tell he’s wasted by the high pitch of his tone. His voice slurs, and he’s chuckling at nothing. “What’re ya doin’ here?”
“Alex, I told you,” Dylan pipes in. “Evan’s helping River.”
“Oh right,” he says, lazily. “Is she okay?”
“IS SHE OKAY?” Evan shouts, making me jump. Holy fuck. “She’s been in excruciating pain while wondering where the fuck you are. You know how to answer a goddamn phone?”
“Dude, chill,” Alex snaps, and then I hear some stumbling.
“Are you fuckin’ serious?” Evan growls. “Don’t push me, Alex. I know you’re wasted off your ass right now, but you fucked up, man.”
“Let’s just get him into bed, so he can sleep it off,” Dylan suggests. I’m tempted to walk out there and give Alex a piece of my mind, but I doubt it’d make any difference right now.
“Yeah, get his ass to bed.”
“Whatever,” I hear Alex mutter.
“Don’t come crying to me when River leaves your ass again. You did this to yourself.” Evan’s voice is harsh, and I wonder how things are going to change between us now. The pain shifts from my back directly to my heart. How could Alex do this to me?
“Shut the hell up,” Dylan shouts. “Both of you.”
I hear footsteps as Dylan walks Alex to his room next to mine. “I’m not undressing you,” he says. “But I’ll take off your damn shoes.”
“Don’t touch me. I’m fine,” Alex slurs. “Let me talk to River.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“She’s my woman, Dylan. Get the fuck out of my way.”
Evan’s standing in my room, arms crossed and shaking his head. I hadn’t even realized I was crying until tears start falling from my cheeks.
This is what I’ve been afraid of since the start. Completely heartbroken.
“River!”
He walks down the hall and stumbles into my room. Evan holds an arm out to keep him from falling. “She’s resting,” he tells him in a lower voice.
“What happened?”
“She’s been having Braxton Hicks contractions. It’s where the body starts practicing for labor—”
“Yeah, I know,” Alex interrupts. “So she’s not in active labor?”
“I don’t think so. They’ve slowed down, and the heating pad seems to be helping for pain.”
Alex walks toward me and drops to his knees so our faces align. He looks like absolute hell. He can barely keep his eyes open, and his face is pale. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to be sick as hell tomorrow.
“I’m really sorry, sweetheart.” His voice is so low, it’s almost torture to hear.
I inhale deeply as another jab comes, but I do my best to push the pain away.
“I could’ve been in labor, and you would’ve missed it,” I say, softly. “I really needed you tonight.”
He grabs my hand and hangs his head. “I let you down. I’m so, so sorry.”
I squeeze his hand three times, but I don’t plan to let him off that easy. “Why don’t you go to bed and sleep it off?”
“No, I’m not leaving you again. I want to help.”
“You’re drunk,” I remind him. “And Evan’s here, so I won’t be alone.”
I feel his body tense up at the mention of his brother’s name. Evan’s a professional, and I trust him, but that’s all this is. I’ve done my best to get close to Alex’s family, but Evan isn’t around as much as the others. However, after tonight I feel like I’m getting closer to him now, too.
“You sleeping this off is the only way you’re going to help her,” Evan interrupts. “I’ll stay with her till the contractions stop.”
Alex swallows, keeping his lips tight. “Wake me if anything else happens,” he tells Evan when he helps him off the floor.
“Yeah, I will.” Evan pats Alex on the back.
“I love you.” Alex bends and kisses my forehead.
Another hour passes, and the contractions have dulled to almost nothing. “You can leave,” I tell Evan. It’s almost eight in the morning, and I doubt he slept much before I called him.
“I don’t mind. I’ll stay for another hour, then I have to leave for my shift.”
“Evan…” My voice lingers, but exhaustion is starting to take over. “How are you going to work after being up all night?”
The corner of his lips curls up, amused by my question. He’s leaning on the wall closest to my bed and has been for most of the night.
