“Hi, Cody,” she says.
I nod in response.
“Look, I’m sorry about everything that went down last month. I genuinely thought you were the father. I wasn’t trying to hurtyou.”
Sure, you weren’t.
I grunt in response.
She sighs and then clutches her stomach. “Ugh.”
My brows raise. “What was that?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been having some sharp stabbing pains.”
“Isn’t it too early for contractions?”
She nods. “I’m only twenty-two weeks along.”
Though it isn’t my place to say anything, I figure she might need the push to take care of herself and get that looked at. “You should probably go see a doctor. My cousin was going on about premature labor before thirty-eight weeks and the potential risks.”
She nods. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Do you mind driving me to the hospital?”
I laugh and sit forward. “That’s a great way to start the rumor mill up again, Harper. No thanks. Plus, I’ve been drinking.” I shake my empty drink in my hand, ice rattling to draw her attention to it.
She sighs, slumping into the chair next to me. “Guess I’ll just suffer.”
I wave my hands to get Victor’s attention again. He steps away from his conversation, coming over immediately. “Hey Vic. You got any plans except going back to the hotel tonight?”
“Nope, why?”
“Harper needs someone to take her to the hospital.”
He doesn’t hesitate. “You got it.”
Harper huffs as she stands up again and looks down at me. “Would it have been the worst thing for this baby to be yours?” she demands.
Of course not. I’ve always wanted to be a dadsomeday. But I envisioned that being with someone I loved. Not a casual fling I had while on my first tour. Someone that I could have a family with. Grow old together with.
Someone a lot like Mae Sterling.
“Get yourself checked out, Harper,” I say, dropping my empty glass on the table before pushing to stand. When I make it to the curb, I pull up the drive-share app to get a ride home thinking that might help distract me from this shitty night. But after changing, showering and sitting on my bed for what feels like an hour, I’m still frustrated over Mae.
I debate sending her a text or just showing up at her house and demanding she explain herself, but I don’t want to accidentally stumble across Elsie if she's still awake and betray Mae's request not to introduce her to anyone she's dating.
My phone rings and I look down to see Victor’s name across the screen.
“What’s up?”
“Hey, you said your publicist and cousin were at the concert tonight and left early, right? Mae Sterling?”
I nod, sitting up, my heart racing. “Yeah.”
“They’re here at the hospital.”
“Are they ok?” I demand.
“Mae said your cousin went into labor and is having her baby."
