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Liam parks his truck and I immediately climb out, walking straight for the entrance. Pissed didn’t even begin to describe what I was feeling.
“Tyler,” Liam jogs after me, “beating the snot out of my idiot cousin won’t make any of this any better. Aunt Cindy already laid into him pretty well and I’m sure Uncle Robert had his say too.”
I could hear Liam but none of his words penetrated the haze I felt.
The automatic doors slide open, and I continue to walk, immediately scanning over the waiting area. When my eyes lock on the asshole that caused this, I start toward him. My heart racing, the blood pumping making it sound like my heart is beating in my ears.
I don’t even think through my actions.
Grabbing Tucker by the shirt I start walking him backwards and I can feel someone pulling at my arm, but it doesn’t faze me. “You are her fucking brother, and because of that I won’t put you through that fucking window.” Tucker doesn’t even attempt to fight me as I hold him by the collar. “This shit you think you know, it’s a fucking lie, it was from day one. If I had a kid, don’t you think I’d be a part of its life? I’m not an asshole, and I’m not a deadbeat. She was never pregnant; it was a game she played with me and about five other guys. The difference between me and them is I demanded proof that she couldn’t give me, because it was a fucking lie!”
“I know,” Tucker says, sounding defeated. “I didn’t but I do now.”
“You have a question about me, you think you have me all figured out and you want to tell me how I’m not good enough, you come to me. Come to me! You don’t take that shit to Mar.”
“I know.”
“She deserves more.” He says. I shove him, finally releasing my hold on him and find Amara’s dad and Liam flanking me, both breathing heavy, wide eyed and worried. “You don’t think I already know she’s too damn good for me? Jesus Tucker I know that, I tell myself that every goddamn day. But then I get up and I start a new day doing everything I can do to be worthy of Amara. That will never change. I’m not going anywhere and it's time you accept that shit.”
I know I’ve put on a show, but damn I can’t control it. That is the woman I love, and that is my child, for them I’ll do anything to ensure they’re okay, anything.
Turning around I pace the hallway, knowing I need to see Mar, but also realizing I need to calm myself first.
Fear, mixed with anger is a dangerous combination and I’m having a hard time reeling it all in.
“Tyler,” I turn around to find Cynthia, Amara’s mom standing near the doors that lead back to the rooms.
“Are they okay?”
“She’s hooked up to monitors, but yes they are good.” Relief fills me, allowing me to breathe freely for the first time since Liam told me to put down the weights.
“Can I see her?” I need to see for myself. When she nods, I follow behind her leaving behind the frustration of her idiot brother.
“I’ll wait out there,” she points back toward the waiting area. “She’s right in that room.” Motioning toward the door a few feet away, Cindy places her hand on my arm, and offers me a reassuring squeeze.
I watch her walk away and when she turns the corner I stand outside the room I know Amara is inside of, worried about what I’ll find. Did she know? Was she still upset?
One more calming breath, and I push open the door and Amara turns her head, her eyes red rimmed and saddened. “I’m sorry,” she says immediately, and I hurry toward her.
“What are you sorry for?”
Her lower lip trembles and I sit on the side of the bed, leaning forward to press a kiss to her lips. “Shh, baby, don’t cry.”
“It all happened so fast. Tucker got mad, said I wasn’t the first person you got pregnant, and I don’t know why it didn’t all click. I mean I know what that girl Farrah claimed. I was there when it all started, but I was surprised Tucker said it, and I didn’t think, then I don’t know what happened, but I woke up to him carrying me to the car and then I was here. It was all stupid.”
“It's okay,” all I care about is that she stays calm.
“I’ve never seen my mom so mad,” Mar confesses. “I used to think that Lauren was your biggest fan, but I’m starting to think it's a tie between her and my mom.”
I know she is trying to be funny but all I can focus on is the machines and the band wrapped around her stomach.
“I’m fine,” Mar reaches out and places her hand on mine. “The baby is fine.”
I nod, but can’t form any words. My emotions are all over the place. “Ty,” Mar says my name and I look at her. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
Until then it hadn’t hit me that that was at the root of every single action I’ve taken since leaving the station. Yes, I was mad, and anxious, but the fear I felt was crippling. What I could lose if something happened to Amara, or our baby is overwhelming. Quickly she became everything to me and this baby, he or she is our world. My family is lying in this bed and all I want is to take them both and wrap them in a protective bubble, shielding them from all harm.
My heart literally aches, a sharp pain straight through me.
