Page 38 of While We Waited

“I didn’t expect to see you here.”

I frown. “Doing groceries,” I grumble before passing him.

“I thought you’d be at the hospital.”

I halt. “At the hospital?”

He frowns. “I thought you were a better man than this.”

I’ve had enough of his riddles. “What the fuck is going on?”

His eyes widen. “You don’t know.”

“I don’t know what?”

“Nova’s at the hospital.”

I drop the grocery basket and rush toward the exit.

“No speeding,” Weston shouts after me.

I ignore him as I break into a run. Is Nova okay? What about the baby? I jump into my vehicle, switch on the engine before I manage to shut the door, and peel out of the parking lot.

The hospital isn’t far. It’s on the road between Smuggler’s Rest and Rogue’s Landing. I park as close to the entrance as possible before rushing inside.

“Nova Myers. Where is she?” I ask the nurse at the reception desk.

“Hey, Hudson,” she greets. “Nova called you?”

Acid churns in my stomach. Nova didn’t call and apparently everyone on the island knows she’s here except me. She didn’t contact me. That shit stops now.

“Where is she?”

“Exam room two.”

I march to the room. I know exactly where exam room two is. You can’t be an athlete and not be familiar with the emergency room. I scowl as I remember the last emergency room I was in. But this is not the time to dwell on how my life was ruined.

I barge into the room. Nova is lying on the exam table. Her face is pale. She looks small and scared.

“What happened? Where’s the doctor? Are you okay? Will you be staying overnight? How’s the baby?”

A tear rolls down her cheek and I hurry to her side. I wipe the tear from her face.

“It’s okay, Sunshine. We’ll figure this out. We’ll get you the best care money can buy.”

“Ahem.” A woman standing at the door clears her throat. “Are you questioning my medical skills, Hudson?”

“I wouldn’t dare, Doctor Allens.” I know the doctor from when I was in high school. She patched me up more times than I care to remember. “But Nova is getting the best care possible.”

“I heard the baby was yours but I wasn’t sure I believed it.”

I scowl. I know I’m not good enough for Nova but I didn’t expect the doctor to point it out. “The baby is mine.”

“The baby is ours,” Nova corrects.

“What happened? Why are you at the hospital? And why didn’t you call me?”

She cringes. “I panicked.”

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