Page 29 of Rival Hearts

“Oh gosh,” Riley said. “There was this one dementia patient when I was in residency. And like I kind of felt bad for her cause she didn’t really understand what was going on, but she was just so rude most of the time. Called me every name in the book.”

“Oh,” Jett said. “Dementia patients are the worst. Even if it isn’t their fault, still can be so hard to manage.”

“That woman made me cry so many times, and then on her good days she was the sweetest grandma on the planet, which made me cry more,” Riley said.

Jett nodded. “Unfortunately that’s usually how it goes.”

“Yeah, well it sucks, it scares me that I might end up like that one day,” Riley said.

“Agreed,” Jett said, but suddenly her phone rang.

Momflashed up on the screen.

Jett immediately answered. Her mom called sometimes, sure, but never at this time of night unless something was wrong.

“Hello?” Jett asked, urgency in her voice. “What’s wrong?”

“Hannah is having her baby,” Jett’s mom said.

“Really?” Jett asked, trying not to curse in front of her mom, but she was definitely thinking,oh shit!“At Phoenix Ridge Hospital?”

“Yeah,” her mom said. “Brody just called me. I’m on my way over, but I thought you might want to know, too.”

“Absolutely, thank you,” Jett said. “I’ll be there in a few.”

The two said their goodbyes and Jett ended the call. She looked at Riley. Jett’s car was still parked at the fire station.

“My brother’s wife is having their baby,” Jett told Riley.

Riley immediately stood up in shock, dumping the bowl of gummy worms to the floor, but neither of them cared. “Oh shit,” Riley said.

“Yeah,” Jett said, and then the situation hit her. “Oh shit,” she repeated, “I’m going to be an aunt. Oh my God. I have to get to the hospital.”

“I got you,” Riley said. “Get it my car, let’s go.”

Jett gave her a grateful smile, and the two of them rushed to Riley’s car.

* * *

When they got to the hospital, both of them rushed to the labor and delivery section. Jett didn’t even question Riley coming with her to the hospital. It just felt natural for the two of them to be together.

When they got to the waiting area, Jett saw her mom pacing in front of the chairs.

“Mom!” Jett said, and her mom stopped pacing to look at her in relief.

“Jett, dear.” Jett’s mom rushed to her and gave her a crushing hug. Jett smiled and hugged her back.

“Is everything okay?” Jett asked.

“As far as I know, everything is going perfectly,” Jett’s mom said. “I’m just a worry wart. This is my first grandbaby after all.”

“I know,” Jett said. “I can’t believe I’m about to be an aunt.”

Jett’s mom laughed. “That’s how your dad felt when Ember was born. He couldn’t stop freaking out.”

“Well, I’m definitely freaking out,” Jett said.

Jett’s mom laughed again, and then her eyes landed on Riley. She looked at Riley in confusion but was still smiling.

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