“Boys,” Hailey hisses, and we both turn to look at where she’s now leaning against my car.
Oh no.
“Your heart-to-heart will have to wait.” She’s rubbing her back, grimacing, and I’m up on my feet in an instant.
“Now?” I whisper.
“Yep.” She exhales loudly. “Pretty sure somethings going on down there.”
Jesus Christ.
This is happening then.
VIC
“Right.”I turn to Sean. “Have you got your car keys?”
“Yes.” He fishes them out of his pocket.
“I’m going to fetch Hailey’s hospital bag and get Joe. Can you drive us to the hospital? You know this area way better than I do. The last thing we need is for me to get lost.”
“Yeah, of course.”
I leave him to get Hailey settled in his car and rush back to the house.
By the time I return, bag in hand and a shocked Joe beside me, Hailey is buckled in the back seat. And Reed is sitting in the front.
Sean is standing outside. “Sorry, but Deb isn’t answering and I couldn’t leave him here on his own,” he offers, nodding at Reed.
“It’s fine.” I’m too focused on Hailey to worry about Sean’s hot ex-boyfriend joining us. “Let’s go.”
I slide into the backseat beside Hailey, and Joe climbs in after me. Sean starts the engine and peels out of the car park.
“You okay?” I take Hailey’s hand, lacing her fingers with mine.
“Yeah.” She smiles. “Don’t panic. The baby’s not coming right this second, Vic, but I don’t think it’ll be all that long.”
“Have you called Char?”
“Yeah. They’re on their way back.”
Thank fuck. “Good.”
Joe’s been quiet ever since I told him Hailey might be in labour. I nod at Hailey, then sit back enough so that she can see him.
“Hey, sweetheart. Are you okay?” She’s got one hand on her belly, the other hanging onto the grab handle above the door.
Joe huffs. “Are you?” He’s wedged into the corner, looking like he’d rather be anywhere but here, and I’m suddenly wondering if I should’ve made him stay at home.
Hailey smiles, and I’m in awe of how outwardly relaxed she seems in front of Joe when I can see how tight she’s gripping that handle. “Yeah, I’m good. I just thought it’d be a good idea to get to the hospital in plenty of time.”
He nods and seems a little less tense, but I still lean in close and whisper. “I can ask Sean to take you home after we get your mum settled if you’d prefer that?”
“No.” He’s quick to shake his head. “I want to stay.”
“Okay.”
Silence fills the car, and yeah, it’s awkward as fuck.
