Page 10 of Reckless

Chapter Three

SAGE

“Boiled water!” Deek states as though it’s obvious.

“Why?”

“That’s what they do in movies?”

“This is not a movie, son.”

“I know that, Dad, but I am under extreme emotional pressure and contributing in the only way I know how!”

Victoria lifts one hand without opening her eyes. “Deek?”

“Yeah, Vic?” His tone is soft.

“If you come near me with boiled water, I will name this baby after your worst ex.”

Deek goes quiet, taking a tentative step back. “Putting it down.”

“Good choice,” Koa mutters.

Even Sin laughs.

Not much.

Barely a breath.

But Victoria hears it, and for a moment, even through the pain, some small part of her settles.

Then Marley looks down, and her expression changes, but the shift is enough to make every nerve in my body stand at attention.

“Vic…” she says gently, “… next contraction, you’re going to push.”

Sin’s head snaps up.

The room goes silent so fast it feels like all the sound has been sucked through the ceiling.

Victoria stares at Marley. “No, not yet. The medics aren’t here!”

“I know, honey. But it’s gonna be okay.”

“No, I’m not ready.”

Marley gently grips her leg for support. “I know.”

“I was supposed to have two more weeks.” The words come out small, almost lost beneath the strain in her breathing.

Marley reaches for her hand. “I know, babe.”

Victoria’s eyes fill, and this time she can’t blink the tears away. They spill over anyway, tracking down flushed cheeks as another shaky breath escapes her. “I haven’t…” She swallows hard, trying to force the words through the knot in her throat. “I haven’t packed the blue blanket.”

For a second, nobody says anything.

Because we all know she isn’t really talking about the blanket.

Ro’s face crumples before she catches herself, her hand smoothing gently over Victoria’s damp hair. “We’ve got blankets, Vicks.”