Page 108 of Triplet Babies for Pucking Christmas

Nothing.

“Jared!” Jamie tries, louder this time. Still no answer. My gut tightens.

“Move,” I tell Jamie, shoulder-checking the door hard enough to make it burst open.

Jared’s on the floor, pale and barely conscious, his breathing shallow. The sight knocks the wind out of me.

“Shit.” Jamie drops to his knees beside him, shaking him lightly. “Jared! Hey, wake up.”

I grab a towel off the rack, wet it with cold water, and press it to his face. He stirs, blinking up at us like he doesn’t know where he is.

“W-what...?” His voice is hoarse, barely audible.

“You passed out,” I say, keeping my voice steady even though my chest feels like it’s caving in. “How long’s it been since you’ve slept, man? Or eaten anything?”

Jared doesn’t answer, his gaze unfocused. Jamie shoots me a worried look, and I know he’s thinking the same thing I am. This isn’t just exhaustion—this is everything catching up to him.

“We’re getting you to bed,” I say firmly, wrapping an arm around his shoulders to help him up.

“No…” Jared protests weakly, trying to push me away.

“Shut up,” Jamie snaps, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re done running yourself into the ground. Let us help, damn it.”

Between the two of us, we half-carry him back to the bed. Savannah’s already sitting up, her eyes wide with worry.

“What happened?” she asks, her voice trembling.

“He collapsed,” I say, laying Jared down gently. “I think it’s everything—the stress, the lack of sleep.”

Savannah climbs out of bed, her robe slipping off her shoulder as she kneels beside him. “Jared,” she whispers, brushing his hair back from his damp forehead. “Why didn’t you say something?”

He closes his eyes, his jaw tightening. “Didn’t want to...be a burden.”

My chest tightens at his words. I glance at Jamie, who looks just as pissed as I feel.

“You’re not a burden,” Savannah says softly, her hand resting on his cheek. “We’re a team, remember? You don’t have to do this alone.”

“I don’t know how to handle all of it,” Jared admits, his voice cracking. “The merger, the custody battle, the babies...you...all of it. I’m trying, but I’m fucking drowning, Sav.”

Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. “You don’t have to handle it all. Let us help you.”

She leans down, pressing her lips to his forehead, then his lips. It’s tender, slow, like she’s trying to pour all her strength into him. Jared relaxes under her touch, his breathing evening out slightly.

Jamie and I exchange a look, silently agreeing to give them space.

“I’ll grab some water,” Jamie mutters, heading for the kitchen. I follow, my chest still tight.

When we come back, Jared looks better—not great, but calm at least. Savannah’s curled up beside him, her hand resting on his chest as she whispers something I can’t hear.

Jamie hands him a glass of water, then gestures for me to step back.

“Let them be,” he says quietly. “She’s got him.”

Reluctantly, I nod. I sit on the edge of the bed, keeping an eye on them as Jared slowly sips the water, his eyes never leaving Savannah’s.

Jamie and I exchange a glance. The silent understanding between us is almost second nature by now. Jared needs her more than us at this moment, and Savannah—God, she’s a rock. She always knows what to say to pull us back from the edge.

“I’ll grab some water too,” Jamie mutters, heading toward the kitchen. I follow, though my chest feels tight, like I’m carrying the weight of all three of us.

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