Page 114 of Talk About… Rivalry

Mama Whitaker smiled before turning toward the maternity ward doors and wringing her hands. “She’s close, I think. The pack is with her. I’ll let her know you two are here.”

She disappeared behind the doors before coming back a few minutes later, laughter dancing in her eyes.

“She wants you both in there. Good luck, if you thought she was feisty before, it has nothing on active-labor Avery.”

“Oh god,” Maverick muttered, taking my hand and pulling me through the doors.

Ford was waiting down the hall, his face nearly as white as his platinum hair. He walked into the room without a word, antsy to get back to his mate.

Avery was gorgeous, despite looking frazzled. She was breathing through a contraction, Mason on one side, Arden on the other, reassuring her. Cohen was settled at the end of the bed, her foot in his lap as he worked the muscles there, words of encouragement falling from his lips in a steady, reassuring stream.

I never wanted kids. Hell, this entire pregnancy I thought Avery was crazy for considering it. But seeing the men crowding around my best friend, I couldn’t help but picture my own pack in their places.

“There you are,” she snapped, holding out a hand for me as she sagged against the pillows. “You two are assholes.”

“I’m sorry, Av,” Maverick started but her glare shut him right up.

“Fuck you, not for being together, for being stupid enough to drag it out this long. You weren’t fooling anyone over the years pining after each other,” she accused.

“Well, that’s over now,” Maverick said, pressing a kiss to my temple. I sighed happily and Mason chuckled.

“You good, Sidney?” he asked, that protectiveness coming through. I nodded and looked right at Avery as I answered.

“I’ve never been this happy. I’m more than good,” I promised.

The tension in the room started to lower before the monitor beeped and Avery gasped.

“Fuck!” she screamed right as the nurses rushed in.

“It might be time,” one said, before ushering us out.

“Love you, Avery, you got this!” I called out before leaving. Maverick gave her a look that said everything and she blew us a kiss before screeching like a banshee.

Ouch. I didn’t envy her having to push out three Whitaker babies. I’d heard Mama Whitaker’s horror stories.

Everyone was on us the moment we stepped out to the waiting room.

“They think it’s time,” I confirmed. Mama Whitaker’s grin widened at the news and all three of her brothers started pacing. It wasn’t often their triplet mannerisms were obvious but right now it was downright comical.

Taylor reached out for me, pulling me to the group of chairs they had claimed for us.

“I ordered food, it’ll be a long wait and you need the calories,” Bennett said, pulling me from his omega and into his lap. “How are you feeling?”

“Terrified for my best friend,” I admitted, the worry evident as I spoke.

He wrapped his arms around me, placing a kiss on his bite mark, making me shiver.

“We’ve got you and her pack has her,” he promised.

“I need a coffee, anyone else?” Leo asked, standing and shaking out his hands. My nerves were hitting them all through the bond it seemed.

“I’ll come with, we could use another round,” Charlie offered, joining Leo as they took down everyone’s orders. When it was my turn Leo gave me a smile.

“I know yours,” he promised, making me smile.

“Happiness looks good on you, my sweet girl,” Mama Whitaker said. I looked at the only real mom I had, tears burning in my eyes.

“It feels good,” I admitted. “Thanks for always being there for me, Mama.”

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