Page 140 of The Way We Score

My neck is tight. My stomach is tight, and all I can think of is Liv there alone with all her fears, calling for me. “Is anybody with her?”

“I’m sure her mom is.” Aubrey reaches over to squeeze my arm. “We’re almost there.”

She hesitates through a four-way stop before barreling up the last stretch of highway before we turn onto the main drag. We’re headed south when the large hospital comes into view. Flipping on the turn signal, she slows down as we enter the hospital parking lot.

“Let me out.” My hand is on the door, and I don’t have time to wait while we creep through the hospital lot or worse, try to find a parking spot.

Aubrey stops the truck, and I’m out, running at top speed to the front entrance.

As soon as I enter, a male nurse recognizes me. “This way, Mr. Bradford!” He leads me through a door markedStaff Only, and we dash down the back way to a stairwell. “The birth center’s on the fourth floor.”

Of course, it is. “Thanks.” I grab the rail and take the stairs two at a time.

Adrenaline drives me, and when I finally reach the top, I crash through the doors.

Jack is there, and his brows rise when he sees me. “You made it!”

“I did?” I’m about to collapse, but I don’t have time.

“This way!” He takes off down the hall with me right behind him and pulls up short at a room. “She’s in here.”

Looking around, I guess it’s okay for me to go right in. Again, there’s no time to hesitate. Pushing through the door, I hear the beep of monitors mixed with the sound of Dr. Pierce giving orders and Liv’s low groans—until her voice goes high. “Garrett?”

Rushing to her bedside, I lift her hand gently in mine. “I’m here.”

“Thank goodness!” Ms. Plum sighs, passing me the cup of ice chips and backing away. “I don’t know how to do any of this. I took the drugs.”

Liv’s face scrunches when she sees me, and a tear falls onto her cheek. “It’s not working.” She sniffs, and her eyes squeeze as another contraction tightens her stomach. Then she yells, “It hurts like hell, Garrett!”

Wincing, I try to remember what they told us in the birthing class. “That’s okay, that’s okay. Don’t panic… Remember the acronym…”

“Fuck the acronym!” she yells again. “This baby’s the size of a Buick, and I’m never getting her out of me!”

My wide eyes meet Dr. Pierce’s, and she shakes her head, pressing her lips together, I guess so she doesn’t laugh at me.

“Oh, Liv,” Ms. Plum whispers. “Is it too late to give her something?”

The doctor nods, and she puts a trembling hand on her forehead. “My poor girl.”

“No shame if you want to wait in the hall, Ms. P.” I give her mom an encouraging smile, hoping to get her out of here, and she blinks at me wide-eyed before nodding and quickly scurrying to the door.

“You’re going to have this baby today.” Dr. Pierce has a smile in her voice. “You’re almost to ten centimeters, and I’ve got a warm compress on your perineum.”

“Hear that?” I try to stay upbeat. “It’s almost time.”

Liv’s head falls back, and she whimpers. “I’m so tired, Garrett.”

Her hair is slick with sweat and stuck to her forehead, and her cheeks are wet with tears. My heart breaks a little, but I can’t let her give up. We’ve trained for this.

I put my arm around her, behind her shoulders, and her face falls against my neck. “Why didn’t I take the drugs?”

“Come on, Liv, remember the script. Relaxing your jaw relaxes your pelvis.” I rub her arm, kissing the top of her head. “Release the tension in your face as you release the baby.”

Her jaw begins to tremble, and I hold her tighter. “That’s it. What’s the script? Do you remember the words?”

“No,” she whimpers, shaking her head. “I completely forgot my mantra.”

“You’re doing really good, Liv.” Dr. Pierce’s voice is strong. “Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it. The baby’s moving.”

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