Page 70 of Closing the Distance

There’s a knock on the hospital room door, and when it opens, Blaire, Gabe, Danae, Dom, Alayna, Romel, and Kaylee come into the room.

Kay’s eyes light up as she spots Lana, and she curls her little fists up to her cheeks and squeals. “Cuuute.”

All the adults in the room smile and chuckle as she continues to coo at my daughter.

My daughter. God, that’s weird to say. I’m officially a dad.

The women surround Lexi, and my heart feels like it’s so full it’s going to explode out of my chest, especially when they make Lexi smile.

Romel pats me on the back and gives me a knowing look. “How you holding up?”

I’ve never been so emotionally wrecked in my entire life. I’m on cloud nine that Lana is here, safe and overall healthy even if she came a little earlier than expected. And the fact that Lexi is choosing me—that I practically watched her drop her guard when she looked into my eyes and told me she loved me—makes me feel like I have everything I never knew I needed. But with that comes absolute terror of something happening to ruin this delicate happiness we’ve found.

But I keep it simple. “I’m really fucking happy, man.”

“It’ll be nice to have another father in the mix, someone else who will clean up his language, especially after that first slipup when your child starts following you around saying the swear word over and over.” He gives me a wink, but I can’t wait.

I mean, I can because Lana’s still a baby, and I don’t need her growing up too fast, but I’m also excited for all those moments that will come someday.

“We’re happy for you, brother,” Gabe says, pulling me into a quick hug and a slap on the back.

Dom is next. “Couldn’t have happened to a better guy. You’re going to be a great dad, Ty.”

“Thanks, man.”

I’m getting a little choked up, and unlike Lexi, I can’t blame my emotions on hormones. Just pure and simple emotional exhaustion.

The door opens again and my parents walk in. Mom’s eyes already shimmer with tears as she gives me a quick hug and then makes a beeline for Lexi and her first grandchild. The love that shines in her gaze as she looks at Lana and then Lexi tugs on something inside of me. Something that’s aching to officially make Lexi a Russell.

My dad pulls me into a hug, and when he pulls away, his expression is serious. “How are you two doing?”

With all the chaos, I haven’t had time to fill them in, but he must see the relief in my eyes. “We’re good. We’re really good.”

He nods once. “Good. I was worried about you two.”

“You and me both, but we’re okay now.”

He stares down at the laminate tile floors for a minute before his gaze turns fatherly. “We told Tanner about the baby.” I start to shake my head because if I never speak to my brother again, it’ll be too soon. “Ty, hang on. He feels awful. We all know he made a mistake?—”

“A mistake?” I seethe, low enough so no one other than the two of us can hear. “He nearly cost me the woman I love. That’s not a simple mistake. He went too far.”

Dad holds his hands up. “No one will deny that, Ty, least of all him. He’s aware. I’ve never seen your brother look so awful. The guilt is eating away at him.”

“Good,” I spit out and then his sentence catches up to me. “Wait, you’ve seenhim?”

“Well, yes.” His gaze shoots to the door behind me just as it opens, and my stomach sinks with dread and betrayal.

I spin around, already bracing my body for seeing the traitor, but nothing can prepare me for the savage protectiveness I feel with Lexi and Lana only feet away.

“How dare you fucking show your face after what you did to her.”

All conversation in the room ceases, and a gasp that sounds a lot like Lexi’s pierces through the sudden ringing in my ears. But my eyes burn with rage as I face my brother. Dad wasn’t lying—he looks like shit with bags under his eyes and remorse in his gaze. He holds a bouquet of flowers in one hand while his other is raised like he’s trying to prove he’s not a threat.

He didn’t use his hands to threaten my girls before. Yet, he still caused damage that hasn’t entirely been fixed. Lexi’s job remains in limbo, and despite weeks passing, the press won’t completely drop the story about Lexi’s past.

“Get out.”

“Ty—”

---