This man has said a lot in five minutes. And this coming from a guy who always has a lot to say. “Dad Squad?”
He hands me a cigar and a blue button that says “Dad Squad” on it. Does he have these laying around? Does he keep them with the suit?
“We have plenty of time to talk. Now buckle up. Let’s get you the fuck back to Nashville!”
CHAPTER 35
GABI
2:30 a.m. CT
“Gabi?”
I open my eyes, even though I wasn’t really sleeping, as Shelby taps me on my arm.
“Maddox?” I ask but instead of him walking into the hospital room, she hands me my phone.
“Hey gorgeous.”
I let out the biggest breath and for the first time in a full day, I’m a little more relaxed. “Hey you.”
I’ve talked to Maddox plenty of times tonight. He’s kept me updated during every step of his disastrous travel day. But seeing him in a car, which means he’s in Tennessee, makes me feel so much better.
“Where are you?”
“We left the airport about twenty minutes ago,” he says. “We’re going… fast.”
“You know you don’t do me any good if you get into a car accident.”
“We’re fine!” I hear the voice of I’m assuming Simon before Maddox turns the camera. “Hi Gabi. I’m Simon. Nice to meet you. Don’t worry, we’re going to get him there by four thirty safe and sound.”
I look at the clock and double check the time. “But Memphis is more than three hours away. How are you doing that?”
“No one’s on the road and I’m an excellent driver.”
“Are you factoring in the time you’ll need when you get pulled over?”
He waves a hand at me. “I won’t get a ticket.”
“How?”
“I know a guy. It’ll be fine. Ask Ainsley. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Clearly you haven’t met me.”
“Listen, all I need you to worry about is being comfortable. How far are you dilated? If you tell me beyond a six I’ll take it up to ninety-five miles per hour.”
“She should be,” I hear Maddox say before he begins to tell him every update I’ve given him over the past however many hours. I look up to Shelby, mouthing a “what the fuck is happening” as my boyfriend and a friend’s brother talk about my cervix.
That wasn’t on my delivery bingo card.
“Am I needed for this conversation?” I ask.
“Oh sorry. I’m here.”
I can’t help but laugh at this ridiculous, yet amazing, man. “It’s okay. You have fun on your road trip. I’ll be here preparing to birth your child.”
“I love you,” he says, all playfulness gone from his voice. “I love you so fucking much.”
