I was beside her in an instant, grabbing the tray from her hand and tossing it on the bar top. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I—ah!”
Not knowing what else to do, I hoisted her up into my arms and rushed to the door, not even bothering to leave anyone in charge. I didn’t know what the hell was going on, but when a pregnant woman yelled in pain, you reacted.
“JR, stop!”
“Does it still hurt?” I asked, flinging open the door.
“Yes, but?—”
I didn’t wait for her to say anything else. Slamming the door in her face, I got in and pressed the pedal to the floorboards, shooting out of the parking lot. Flipping on my lights, I headed out of town toward the nearest hospital, hoping she could hold on that long. I spotted Maverick’s car as I passed and flashed my lights at him.
He spun around and hit the lights, instantly catching up to me. I didn’t have his number to explain, but I did have Liam’s number. As soon as I grabbed the phone, Lizzy gripped my hand.
“What are you doing?”
“Calling your brother.”
“No! Please, don’t call him.”
“Lizzy, someone needs to know. Someone who can be back there with you,” I argued.
“But my family doesn’t know. I haven’t told them—ah!” she screamed again, this time louder than before.
“Liam!” I shouted into the phone, getting his attention immediately. “I’m taking your sister to the hospital. Something’swrong. I need you to call Maverick and tell him to get his ass in front of me and clear the road.”
“On it.”
He hung up without another word, and within seconds, Maverick was passing me, clearing the traffic from the road. Every time I looked over at Lizzy, her face was twisted in pain. I didn’t know what to do or how to help. I was shit at anything emotional or personal, but I could drive fast, and I knew how to protect her. That was pretty much all I was good for.
By the time I pulled into the hospital, nurses were already outside with a gurney, rushing to take her inside. Liam pulled up just a minute after I parked the truck and rushed over to me, his face frantic with worry.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know. She bent over and cried out in pain.”
“What was she doing?”
“Working. She was carrying a tray.”
His eyes widened in shock. “At the bar? What the fuck was she thinking?”
“Probably that she has a business to run,” I snapped, turning to the hospital entrance.
“And where the fuck were you?” he snarled, grabbing my sleeve. “You should have fucking been there!”
“I was late!”
“Because you were fucking some woman when you were supposed to be at the bar! This is your fault!”
He swung without thinking, his fist connecting with my jaw and knocking me back a step. Glaring at him, I stormed forward, but was stopped when Maverick stepped between the two of us, shaking his head minutely at me.
“Get your asses inside and behave. This isn’t the time or place.”
The last thing I wanted was to go anywhere with this guy, but I needed to make sure Lizzy was okay. It wasn’t that I cared. Not really.
Not at all.
