Hunter
Bruh, she’s grumpy as hell.
Me
Bro…
Hunter
She’s okay. Still at home. Contractionsare tearing up her back, but they’re not consistent.
Shit. My worst fucking nightmare is unfolding in front of me, and I can’t do a damn thing about it. I promised her I wouldn’t miss this, promised I’d be there for her every step of the way. It’s eating me up inside that I’m failing at the one thing I told her to count on.
Miles, Marla, and I get through security and rush down the terminal, only to find a huge uproar at our gate.
“Sorry, folks. We’ll have hotel vouchers at the desk, but all flights are grounded as of five minutes ago.”
Fuck.This isn’t happening. There’s no fucking way this is real life right now.
“Well”—Miles claps my shoulder—“guess we’re here another night…”
I turn to my colleagues, and my rage makes both Marla and Miles take a step back.
“Fuck this shit.” Hitching my bag on my shoulder, I stalk back the way we came.
Hurried footsteps follow me, and Marla grabs my wrist. “Trevor, where are you?—?”
“I’m renting a car!”
“You can’t drive in this.”
“I’m from Nebraska, Marla.” I rip my arm out of her grasp. “You think I don’t know how to drive in the damn snow?”
“The storm’s due to stop by morning. We’ll get one of the first flights out.” Miles tries to appeal to my logic.
“I don’t have that kind of time. I shouldn’t even fucking be here, Miles! Willa’s in labor. I have to get to LA, and the more time I waste standing here talking to you two, the angrier I get.” Turning around, I stomp through the terminal. The singular thought in my head propelling me forward is getting to Willa, no matter what it takes.
Iconvince the rental desk that I’m aware of the liabilities of driving in the storm, pay the outrageous insurance fees, and finally settle into an SUV. This feels like the first breath I’ve been able to take all day. Early labor with first babies can take days. I remember this from all the documentaries Maya made me watch growing up. There’s still a chance I can make it in time. I reach for my phone and press Hunter’s contact info. As soon as the call connects, I hear Willa groaning, and it punches me in the gut.We’re supposed to do this together.I need to get to her.
“Heyyy,” Ashlie’s voice makes me pull my phone back to look at the number I just called.
“Hey, so my flight got canceled.”
“Shit. Trev?—”
“I know. I just rented a car, and I’m on my way. It’ll be about twelve hours with the storm. Can I talk to her?”
“I don’t know that she’ll do much talking, but I’ll put the phone up to her ear.”
Another wail, and everything inside me crumbles. Panic shreds through my composure. I hit the steering wheel, trying to expel some of my frustration.This is my fucking fault.
“Tre…” Willa’s shaky voice rattles through me. “I don’t think I can—” Another whine interrupts her sentence. “I need you.” Her voice breaks, and an avalanche of guilt collapses in on me. This incredibly strong woman of mine is telling me she needs me, for maybe the first time since all of this began, and I’m not fucking there.
“I—Willa, listen to me, okay? I’m on my way. I’m driving, but I’m coming straight to you. Ashlie’s going to keep me updated. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I love you, Gem.”
“Always will?” she asks tearfully, just tearing what’s left of my heart to shreds.
“Al—” My voice cracks, eyes burning. “Always.”
