Page 89 of Vegas with my Brother’s Best Friends

Cassidy places her hands on her stomach above the blanket that Tyler and Marcus tucked in around her. “Because someone is along for the ride.”

A flicker of warmth ignites in my chest as I nod. I wonder who the baby will look more like. Her or the father?

I hope the baby looks more like her because she’s perfect.

“Rest,” Marcus says before kissing her on the forehead. “We’ll see you soon.”

Tyler kisses the top of her head. “Call us if you need anything.”

“We’re okay, Ty?” Cassidy asks him with a hopeful look on her face.

He gives her a warm smile and nods. “We’re okay. I’m not going anywhere.”

Relief shines in her eyes. “Okay, good.”

“Come on,” I tell the guys, motioning for them to move away from her.

“Yeah, yeah,” Tyler replies, waving me off.

I remain by Cassidy’s bedside for an extra few moments after Tyler and Marcus walk away. I take her hand and kiss her knuckles, resisting the urge to crawl into bed and hold her.

“We’ve got you,” I remind her. I don’t want her to forget that.

“This is crazy,” she whispers as she gazes up at me. “Do you think everything is going to be okay?”

“I hope so,” I reply before releasing her hand and taking a step back. “Eat. Sleep. Please.”

When she nods, I turn around and follow the guys out of her room, my shoulders feeling a hundred pounds heavier than before.

“Who’s up for a drink?”

Chapter thirty-one

Chapter 31: Tyler

As the guys and I take the elevator down to the lobby, my heartbeat pulses in my ears. Over and over. Deafening. Consuming.

I glance over at Jackson and Marcus, my head feeling as if it’s moving in slow motion.

Jackson stares ahead at the shiny doors, his jaw set tight. I’d make a joke about it getting locked in place because he’s always doing that, but I can’t string the words together in my head well enough.

Marcus checks his phone, and I can only assume he’s hoping that Cassidy needs us for something. He’s always so attentive when it comes to her. He thinks of things that I don’t.

And Jackson is always first at the scene, ready to act. Ready to save the day.

As for me…there’s no sort of comic relief that I can bring to the situation. I can’t help Cassidy relax when her entire life is being shaken up.

I can’t even get myself out of this vortex of panic that keeps sweeping me up, spitting me back out, and sucking me in again.

“I hope she’ll actually rest and eat,” Marcus says as he tucks his phone away.

“She will for the baby. Just not for herself,” Jackson mutters with a slight shake of his head.

The elevator stops, and the doors slide open, revealing the busy lobby as guests check in and check out.

Jackson leads us out, slowly rolling his neck. His shoulders are so tense that he looks as stiff as a brick wall. “We’ll check on her tomorrow. No bothering her for the rest of the day. Got it, Marcus?”

Marcus scoffs. “Why are you calling me out?”