Page 35 of Reckless Encore

“What is going on?” Melody’s voice carried from the back of the house. “Have you been wrestling again?”

Mitch struggled to raise his head off the ground. He struggled even harder to keep his eyes open.

She sauntered toward them, clucking her tongue. “You guys will never grow up, will you?”

“I hope not.” Mason held out a hand and helped Mitch to sit.

The world spun in a kaleidoscope of color. Pretty. So pretty.

“We’re just having some fun.” Sean grinned at his wife.

She ignored him, her focus pinning Mitch in place. “Well, the fun is over. I have an announcement to make.”

“Unless it involves you going to the store to buy more alcohol, I don’t want to hear it.” Mason glanced around the side of the yard. “Now, where the hell did I put my glass?”

“Sorry. No more alcohol for any of you.” She crooked a finger at Mitch. “I need to sweep the baby daddy away so he can be by Alana’s side for the birth of their child.”

“What?” He pushed to his knees and blinked through the blurry spots in his vision. “Allie has gone into labor?”

Melody nodded. “I just got off the phone with the hospital. She’s been trying to get in contact with you for the last hour.”

“But it’s early. She isn’t due for another week.” He shot a frantic gaze around the backyard. He needed his wallet. His keys. Where the fuck was his phone?

He patted his pockets, produced his cell, and squinted at the screen.

Three missed calls.

Fuck.

“Here.” Mason grabbed his shoulder and shoved a filled shot glass toward him. “Dutch courage. You’re going to need it.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Melody approached. “It’s already two in the morning, and it’s going to be an even longer night…”

“I’m sorry, girlfriend, but have you seen what a vagina looks like when a bloodied, gunk-covered kid is being pushed out of it?” Mason held the glass in front of Mitch’s eyes. “He definitely needs this.”

His friend had a point. Flashbacks of Chase’s big head destroying Alana still had the ability to haunt Mitch’s nightmares. He reached for the shot glass, only to be stopped by Melody dashing forward to grab his wrist.

“Listen to me.” She sank to one knee and looked him in the eye. “They won’t let you into the birthing suite like this. You need to sober up. And you need to do it quick. Otherwise, you’re going to miss the birth of your child, and Alana will never forgive any of us.”

Whispered curses flittered into his consciousness as his lazy heartbeat kicked into a rapid pace. “How do I sober up?”

Her brows pulled tight. “Apart from taking a cold shower, I’m not quite sure.”

That’s when the chanting started.

“Spew.Spew.Spew.Spew.Spew.”

Chapter Nine

Alana had thrown her breathing techniques out the window half an hour ago. The severity of the pain made it hard to focus on anything other than survival.

“Pleaselet me have an epidural.”

The midwife grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Sweetie, it’s too late for that. This baby is in a hurry to see you. It won’t be long now.”

Alana whimpered, then braced herself for another contraction. The tightening belt of agony pulled at her lower back, her stomach. She couldn’t think past it, could barely hold consciousness.

“I’m right here with you,” the midwife soothed. “You’re doing great.”

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