Page 137 of The Way We Win

Her nose wrinkles. “I’ve just had this heartburn all day.”

She attempts a smile, but she still looks uncomfortable.

I pass her a cup of virgin purple drink. “One more week!”

“I like Austin’s attitude.” Liv lifts her chin as I refill her cup. “He shook that Sadie nonsense right off and had a fun senior year.”

“He’s shaken off a lot this year.” My mood dims slightly. “Jack has helped so much.”

“Who ever thought Edward would go to the prom?” Rachel’s voice goes high, and she taps the tears off her cheeks with her fingertips. “Austin’s the best kid. He included Eddie in everything from the very beginning. Then he called him his best friend…”

“He’s pretty great.” I pass her a napkin to dry her eyes and a cup of purple drink. “I don’t know what I’m going to do next year without him.”

“You’ll be making whoopee with my big brother!” Dylan cries, holding up her cup. “And it’s about damn time.”

We all cheers, and Dylan squats awkwardly to dig in her bag. “It’s time for our bachelorette round of Marry-Fuck-Kill, and have I got some options lined up for tonight. You guys are going to have the hardest time sorting… sorting… Oh!” Her eyes go wide, and she drops her bag and all of the pens. “Oh, no!”

A loud whooshing noise is followed by what sounds like water spilling all over the floor.

“What’s happening?” Rachel comes running back from where she went to touch up her makeup. “Dylan, oh my god! Did you pee?”

“Rachel, call Logan!” Liv and I both rush forward to grab Dylan’s arms. “Tell him to get to the hospital. Dylan’s water just broke!”

“Oh no, oh no!” Rachel runs in place tapping her phone as Liv and I do our best to help Dylan to the door.

“This way!” Raven holds the doors open, waving.

“No, this isn’t happening!” Dylan cries, then all of a sudden she stops, pulling her arms to her sides.

“What’s wrong?” I bend forward to look at her.

Her face is red and horribly scrunched, and she lets out a piercing yell as she holds her stomach.

“Oh, God!” she cries. “It hurts so bad!”

I exchange a worried look with Raven and Liv, and I hear Rachel behind us.

“Yes, right now! We’re taking her to the hospital. Meet us there!”

“Liv, it hurts so bad,” Dylan cries, leaning her head on her sister-in-law’s shoulder.

“You’ve got this.” Liv’s voice is calm. “What’s our mantra?”

“I forgot.” We start walking slowly through the doors and into the parking lot.

“My Rover’s closest!” Raven rushes ahead to unlock her car.

“Say it with me, Dylan.” Liv holds her arm as we walk. “Soften… Settle… Relax.”

Dylan stops again, almost squatting as she screams. “It’s not working! I can’t do this!”

“Yes, you can!” I hold her hand. “We’ve all done it, and so can you. We’ve got to get to the hospital, now. Come on, Dee.”

Her brow furrows, and she nods quickly. Raven has driven the car closer, and we help her into the passenger seat. Liv and I jump in the back fast, and Raven throws rocks getting out of the parking lot.

“We left Rachel!” Dylan cries.

“She has a car,” Liv answers. “She’ll meet us there. Now say it with me, Soften… Settle…”

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