Page 91 of Where We Promise

New stage, lights, the piano was top of the line. The space was larger, the bar in the back extended, with new appliances. The entire place looked new.

There were even comfortable seats to sit in after Laura had heard me whine about my back. Although this chair wasn’t nearly as comfortable as it seemed last week.

No matter how I sat, my back seemed to throb in pain. I hissed, trying to adjust again, only to have Callie glance over.

“What’s wrong?”

I adjusted again. “Nothing, just can’t get comfortable.”

“Here.” She stood, trying to help me. “Stand up, I’ll find you a pillow.”

“Where are you—” She’d already walked off, and the house lights were dimmed, indicating that Laura was about to start singing.

I stood as Callie rushed back, a small pillow in hand, but then she froze a few feet from me, her eyes going wide…and dropping to my feet.

Oh shit, I must have spilled my drink. My jeans were wet and…

“Your water broke!”

My water…Oh.

“Laura!” Callie cupped her hands, yelling over the heads of all the people sitting at tables to hear Laura sing.

My face flushed. Callie’s filter was non-existent these days, not that I had known her long enough to know if she used to have one.

Laura rushed off the stage, right as Natty made her way from the bar.

Harris, Brick and another member of the Stone Riders, Riley, hurried over as if they’d sensed danger.

“She’s in labor!” Callie urged and gripped my hand.

Harris seemed to panic; his eyes wide as he looked down at my stomach. My blue jeans were soaked, and to think I was feeling prideful just yesterday about how I could still fit in them as long as I folded them down.

“Jameson will need to know,” Riley said, carefully guiding me up the stairs.

Fuck, why did this place have such steep stairs?

Each step felt like daggers were being dragged over my stomach.

“Want me to carry you, Penny?” Harris asked hesitantly. I was shaking my head when a burning pain seared across my abdomen, making me groan in pain.

“Yes, fuck. Please carry me. Get me the fuck out of here.”

I slammed my eyes closed as Harris picked me up and began to run. I held onto my stomach, not watching as he tucked me into someone’s car, or to even see where my friends went. I was focusing on breathing.

The next thing I knew we were pulling into the front of the hospital, which was thankfully just a few blocks away from where The Hollow was.

My eyes wouldn’t open because the pain was so intense.

“Where is he?” Harris asked gruffly. I knew he was asking about Jamie.

I wanted to know too; he’d mentioned business in Pyle but that was hours ago. Surely, he was done now.

“On his way.” That was Brick.

When had I made it into this room?

“You’ll need to get into a gown, Penelope.” Doctor Beckett suddenly came into view, informing me, calmly.

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