“The baby.”
A boot lodged itself in his stomach.
“It should have never come out that way.” Stone looked across the table and watched his friend’s face fall. “Not because I didn’t want you guys to know, but because Mae… She doesn’t want to face what happened to her. What we lost. It feels like I’m losing her, too.”
“People process grief differently.” Stone’s gaze dropped to his coffee cup as Gage continued. “It’s been overwhelming. What you went through… and now this. What we asked of her… "
Stone’s head snapped up. “What? What are you talking about?”
“Nothing.” Gage looked out the window. And something itched deep in his brain. Stone knew he wasn’t telling the whole truth.
“Track. Don’t bullshit me. I’ve got enough on my mind. Gunner said something the other night and now this?—”
Gage’s hand came up, resting in the air between them,cutting off Stone. “We kept her out of the loop with what was going on with Lo, and that whole article mess. Didn’t know it was going to blow up like this. Become such a goddamn nightmare. We should have protected her more.”
The tension in Stone’s jaw loosened. It really was a shit show. “I saw a few people I didn’t recognize on the walk over here.”
“Probably more reporters. Cap got a request from a national news program this morning. I’m sure you saw the vans outside the office. What a nightmare. Honestly, I’m surprised they’re not swarming Dolly’s right now. Can’t breathe outside without them trying to get a statement.”
“Maybe we should have gotten breakfast to go…”
“Yeah, maybe. But Dolly’s had our backs since they showed up in town, and I’m sure that’s not going to change.” Gage took a sip of his coffee. “Look, we’re a team, and a family. We’re here for you. Both of you, if Mae ever wants to acknowledge the loss with us.”
“You’re right. I know that. I just… I’m lost. ”
“How’s Mae really doing?”
Stone shrugged. “She’s been at work, hasn’t she?”
“That doesn’t mean she’s okay.”
“You don’t have to tell me that,” he snapped.
Gage’s eyebrows shot up. “But you’re here, and not with her?”
“She won’t slow down. It doesn’t matter what I say. How much I beg. I just… I have to honor this for her. If this is her way to process, then I’m going to support her. She wants space at the office and I can’t stand being in the apartment without her. It’s too…” he searched for the right words, but nothing came.
“I get it. I felt that way about my house, after Mel and Mikey died.”
“Shit, Track. I shouldn’t…” His eyes lowered tothe coffee swirling inside the cup in his hands. “I shouldn’t be dumping all this on you. You lost your family. Your wife. Your kid. I lost the idea of something I’d only known about for a handful of hours. We never even got the chance to see them or hold them.”
“Did you put your hand on her belly? When you found out? I gave Mel’s belly so many kisses after I found out…”
Stone’s gaze left the cup of coffee. “Yeah. Of course I did,” he choked out.
“Then you held your child, Doc. Simple as that.” Tears stung the back of Stone’s eyes. “And all that baby ever knew was that it was deeply loved by you and Mae.”
“I really hope so.” Stone turned towards the window, a tear spilling over his lashes.
“Just the two I was hoping to run into this morning.” Shit. Just what theydidn’tneed right now.
Laurel smiled as she grabbed a chair from the table next to Stone and Gage, spinning it around and sitting down like she belonged there.
“Laurel,” Gage cleared his throat, giving Stone a minute to wipe at his eyes and compose himself. “I’m going to say this as nicely as I possibly can. Get lost.”
Her smile didn’t waver, even as her eyes tracked the emotions Stone knew were written all over his face. “Well, can’t say I didn’t see that coming, although I’m a little surprised you guys are so upset about what I wrote, and yet you won’t sit down with me to give your side of the story?”
“Our side of the story, Lo?” Gage grimaced. “You mean the truth? We shouldn’t have to set anything straight. You ran a smear piece and tipped our lives into chaos. If you’d even done an ounce of research, you would know whoever your source is has to be lying.”
