Page 4 of Mad Love

“This is a joke, right? Who put you up to this? Who the fuck is this?”

“Mr. Shaw, I assure you this is not a joke. There was a car accident this morning, and if you really are Weston Alexander Shaw, your son was involved.”

“Okay, I’ll play along. Where do I find him?”

“Presbyterian Hospital. Come to the ER and ask for Wanda Dixon,” she says and hangs up.

I stare at the phone and turn in slow motion toward the guys. They’re all staring at me in concern. Bowie is closest to where I am and he stands and puts his hand on my back.

“What was that about?” he asks.

“That was the hospital. They said my son is there. This isn’t funny.” I point around the table. “If I find out you guys were behind this, I’m kicking your asses.”

Henley frowns. “Weston. Slow down. We wouldn’t mess with you about something like this. I’d call the team’s lawyers if I were you though.”

“I need to get to the hospital. She said my name is on the birth certificate. That can’t be right.”

Bowie squeezes my shoulder and lowers to meet my eyes.

“It’ll be okay,” he says. “You’ve got this, whatever comes. Okay? I’m sure it’s just a mix-up.”

I nod and they all stand.

“We’ll come with you,” Henley says.

“No, it’s okay. I wouldn’t want to give the nurses a heart attack when they see all of you coming.” I try for light, but my heart is racing.

“Let us know what’s going on, if we can do anything,” Rhodes says.

“I will. Thanks.”

Penn opens the door and leads the way. “Coming through. We’ve got an emergency,” he says.

We weave through the people still hoping to see Mustangs players, pretending we don’t hear when we’re asked for autographs. When we’re outside, I take off in a jog.

“Call me,” Penn yells, as I get in my SUV.

The drive to Denver feels longer than ever, but it’s really only forty minutes or so. It may as well be another world from the idyllic streets of Silver Hills.

My thoughts are at war, divided into two camps: I can’t possibly have a child, and what if I do?

CHAPTER TWO

FACING THE ENEMY

SADIE

I back out of my sister’s hospital room in shock and disbelief. My eyes are too blurred with tears to see clearly as I race out of her room and down the hall, frantically searching for Caleb. I only got the call from the hospital half an hour ago, but since I live close to the hospital, I was here within ten minutes.

I was still too late.

I check my phone to see if my parents have called me back and there’s nothing. They’re visiting my mom’s sister in Missouri and weren’t planning to start driving home until tomorrow. I’ve left messages, but they’re not great about checking their phones when they’re away, and I don’t want to tell them anything in a message.

I rush into Caleb’s room and see a guy standing near the crib. Dark hair, tall, broad muscled shoulders.No. Tell me this isn’t happening. I’d recognize him anywhere.Weston Shaw.My sister and I have watched him play on TV every week for the past two years. I rush toward the bed and when he turns and meets my eyes, my blood goes cold.

“What areyoudoing here?” I spit out.

He reels back, studying my face. He looks confused and upset.

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