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"We?"

"Yes, we! That's my best friend!"

I stared at her. Five minutes ago, she'd been trying to get away from me. Now she was ready to haul her pregnant ass straight back to Westhaven.

"Oh, you bringing your ass with me. Fuck that. Come on!"

She hurried after me before suddenly stopping. "Wait! My car!"

"Where it's at?"

"Over there!"

"Good. Lock that motherfucker. We coming back for it!"

"What about my groceries?"

I looked at the basket still hanging from her wrist.

"Jru, my wife is about to push two whole human beings out her coochie, and you worried about some motherfucking HOT CHIPS?"

She set the basket on the bench.

"Okay! Damn!"

I grabbed her hand and headed toward my truck, then remembered she was pregnant and immediately slowed down.

"Come on, girl. Walk fast, but don't walk too fast. Shit, I don't know! Just walk!"

"Malachi, you need to calm down!"

"EVERYBODY KEEP TELLING ME TO CALM DOWN! AIN'T NOBODY TELLING ME HOW!"

I nearly dropped my keys trying to unlock the truck. Jru watched me fumble with the buttons before reaching over and pressing the unlock button herself.

"Call somebody to stay with her until you get there," she suggested.

I looked at her. "That's actually smart."

"Thank you."

"Don't get cocky. Get in the damn truck."

She rolled her eyes but climbed into the passenger seat while I called the hospital. After explaining that my wife was eight months pregnant with twins and her water had broken, I was told she needed to come in immediately.

I hung up and dialed Yara.

"What's up, Malachi?"

"Listen, I need you to get to my house right fucking now. Ashlynn's water broke, and I'm out of town."

"Oh, shit! Is she okay?"

"She's talking and cussing, so I'm assuming she still got some life in her."

"Malachi!"

"Just get over there, Yara! Please!"