Page 88 of Zone Protection

My freaking eyes tear up again. “Thanks, Coach. It’s certainly been wild.”

“I hope Archie has been supportive. He’s had a lot going on with his season.”

“He’s the best, seriously. I lucked out in the baby daddy department.” I snort.

“Glad to hear it. Okay, let’s get you out of here so you can get some sleep. These hospital beds are the worst.”

A few minutes later, the discharge nurse comes in, and I sign everything I need to sign to be released. They tell me they’ve already sent my records to my doctor in Oklahoma.

Focusing on everything they’re telling me is keeping me distracted from my panic, but it still there, lingering. I need to call Archie.

CHAPTER

TWENTY

ARCHIE

We’re just finishingup for the day, and I hear my ringtone coming from my duffel bag. I pull it out and see Emma’s name, along with several missed calls and texts. I miss her so much it hurts. Even though I’ve been going nonstop since I’ve been here and pretty much fall into bed every night, I still miss my girl.

“Hey, darlin’. How did you do today?”

“Hey. Um, well, not great.” She huffs.

“What’s wrong? What happened?” I can tell something isn’t right by the tone of her voice.

“I, uh … I had some cramping and bleeding, so I had to stop playing, and they sent me to the hospital.”

“What the fuck?! Why didn’t you call me right away?” I start pacing. My heart is racing, and I just feel … helpless right now.

“Babe, I did. You were in drills all day, right? There wasn’t anything you could do anyway. You’re in Indiana, and I’m in Arizona. No way would you have been able to be here, and besides, I’m okay. I had all the blood work done and got anultrasound. I got to see and hear the baby. I’m good. We’re good.”

“Emma, I’m so sorry I didn’t see my phone sooner. You’re my girl, and that’s my baby.” I whisper the last part, not wanting anyone around me to hear my conversation. Not now.

“I know, but, babe, it’s okay. I do need to see the doctor when I get home. They saw something in the ultrasound about the baby’s heart. They didn’t seem to be too worried, but definitely want me to follow up.” Her voice cracks.

“Darlin’, are you on your way home or still in Arizona?” I’m trying to calculate if I can make it there to be with her or if I can rearrange my plans to meet her when she gets back to Oklahoma.

“We leave early in the morning. I’m at the hotel now, already in bed. I’m going to get some sleep. I’m physically exhausted, but it’s been a bit stressful today, and it’s worn me out.”

“Yeah, okay. You should get some rest. I’m going to see what I can do to get home tomorrow.”

“Archie, no. Don’t you still have some things to do?”

I shake my head even though she can’t see me. “No, I’m done for the most part. Let me talk to my agent and see what I can do. But, Em, I’m going to have to tell him why I need to come home early. It’s only a day early. And I need to be there with you.”

“Okay, well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then. I’m going to get some sleep. I hope everything went well today. I can’t wait to hear about the whole thing when you get home.”

I put one hand on my head and pull on my hair, frustrated. “I’m not gonna lie, Em. I’m really not happy that I can’t be with you to hold you tonight.”

She sniffles and then clears her throat. “I know, babe. I’ll see you tomorrow. Night.”

“Night. Get some rest. I should be there around the time you get home, too, so I’ll meet you at your place. Love you, baby.”

“Yeah, that sounds good. I’ll see you then.”

She ends the call, and I stand there, staring at my phone.

Something doesn’t feel right. Maybe it’s because I’m not with her, or she didn’t tell me she loved me, too, but I’m worried.

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