AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Joey, if we go, she’ll think I’m there because I love her.”
She sits up and keeps a tight grip on the sheet, preventing me from seeing her breasts. Jules isn’t even here and she’s cock blocking me right now.
“I can imagine that having a baby is scary, but being alone or having to only depend on the hospital staff to help you is probably really freaking her out. Knowing that a friend is waiting for her in the waiting room will soothe her a little.”
“Joey,” I say, closing my eyes, “this isn’t a good idea.”
“Nothing concerning Jules is a good idea,” she replies, hopping off the bed. She disappears into her closet and when she comes out, she’s dressed in sweats and a T-shirt, and is in the process of piling her hair on top of her head.
“I’m going.”
“Joey,” I whine, throwing the covers off my legs. “This is a mistake.”
Cupping my face with her hands, she gazes into my eyes. I know she sees nothing but torment in them. “You’ll feel better knowing you were there, I promise. There was a time in your life when you loved her and I know she’s done a lot to ruin everything you guys had, but right now she’s scared and she called the one person she knows won’t come to her aid. She’s desperate, Josh, she has no one else.”
Deep down I know that Joey is right and if I hadn’t pushed for the paternity test I’d be at the hospital right now waiting for Jules to give birth. I kiss Joey and sidestep her to get dressed. When I come out, she’s in the kitchen talking to her mom.
“Morning, honey,” Ava says, handing me a travel mug of coffee.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll call you as soon as we know something.” Joey kisses her mom and we make our way to the car. We’ll have enough time to get out of the garage and down the road before the production realizes the noise they can hear is Joey and I leaving.
“Barry is going to be pissed,” I say, turning out of our community and heading down the hill toward the hospital. At night Hollywood is gorgeous and I’ve always loved it. The nightlife is still bustling, creating a glow.
“It’s none of his business.”
“No, but Jules will see this as a missed opportunity to sell her story.”
Joey doesn’t say anything, but I suspect she’s rolling her eyes. She wants to see the good in everyone even when they don’t deserve it.
“I can guarantee you that People magazine will be there as soon as she delivers.”
“Josh. . .”
“Joey, I know you want to believe she’ll change after giving birth, but I doubt it. The baby will be an accessory until the novelty wears off and then it will be a burden. I know her better than most. She’s never going to change.”
We’re silent the rest of the way to the hospital and when we pull in I’m thankful that the media isn’t outside waiting. I’ve never come out and publicly denied Jules’ baby, but I haven’t admitted it either. Most people are going to assume I’m the father and while that bothers me, Blaze felt that doing damage to her professional career wasn’t a smart move on my part. As long as Joey and her parents know the truth, that’s all that matters.
Joey leads us to the desk and asks where we can find Jules.
“I’m sorry, we don’t have anyone registered by that name,” she tells us.
“Please try Juanita Madonno.”
The nurse starts typing again and Joey looks at me. With a shrug, I start walking toward the room number the nurse blurted out.
“Juanita? Is that her alias?”
“No, that’s her name. Jules is her stage name.”
“Is Joshua Wilson a stage name and I’m really married to someone else?” she asks as we press the buzzer to be let into maternity.
“Nope, Joshua Wilson is who I am.”
“Phew,” she says, wiping her forehead. I laugh out loud and a nurse behind the desk glares at me. When we find Jules’ room, Joey tells me she’ll wait by the door.
I knock and step in. The second Jules sees me, her face lights up. She reaches for me, but I stay, standing against the wall.
