Page 75 of Still The One

‘I didn’t want to bother you.’

He reaches out and cups my cheek with his hand, his thumb brushing against my skin softly. ‘You were never a bother. You were the most important thing to me. But I had prior commitments that I couldn’t break.’

‘I understand that. But please be honest with me,’ I plead. ‘Was I just not important enough for you to take a small break and celebrate the big decision we made?’

‘Evie,’ he says, leaning closer to me. ‘You were more than enough for me. I didn’t know how to be married. But damn, I never expected to lose you so quickly. Man, if I could go back?—’

The sudden loud blaring of my phone cuts him off, startling us both. I pull it from my pocket and see my mother’s face flashing on the screen. She rarely calls me, so I immediately answer it.

‘Mom?’

‘Eve, the baby’s coming!’ her voice sings excitedly through the speaker.

‘The baby?’ I turn to look at Foster with wide eyes. ‘And I’m supposed to be there for that?’

‘It’s your nephew, Eve,’ she lectures. ‘This is a family event. It’s his birth day and you need to be here to welcome him into the world and celebrate. Unless you want Kait, who’s already here, to be his favorite auntie.’ I can almost hear her foot tapping as she speaks. ‘Hurry up and get here soon.’

27

GUY ‘FOSTER’

The timing of this baby is truly terrible, as most babies’ grand entrances tend to be. Just as I was about to pour my heart out to Eve and tell her that I would do everything all over again, without any hesitation or regret, we were interrupted. It seems to be a recurring theme for us lately.

‘You don’t have to stay,’ Eve says as we follow a hospital guide through the maze-like hallways on our way to Labor and Delivery. Despite Eve telling the woman that she works here and knows her way around, the guide insisted on directing us. ‘You can drive my car home and I’ll have my mom bring me back,’ she says.

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ I reply with a shake of my head. ‘You came here for me, now it’s my turn to return the favor.’

She gives me a slight smile. ‘Are you sure? My family aren’t exactly your biggest fans.’

I look down at her walking at my side, still wondering how she pulls off the cowgirl get-up so freaking well. ‘And why’s that?’

She shrugs, guilt written all over her face. ‘A girl’s got to confide in someone about her problems. Plus, let’s not forgetthat you missed every important event they planned to celebrate us after our last-minute nuptials.’

I frown, ashamed that I did indeed do that. I was so obsessed with my career that I figured the five-minute ceremony was enough for us to live happily ever after. Now I’m realizing it wasn’t. Was I even trying?

‘Well, considering the little I know about what Cayden did in front of them, I’d wager they hate him more than they hate me for not being around. So, I’ll take my chances,’ I reply, hoping that these people can eventually forgive me for hurting their daughter.

And I get that she was hurt. But I didn’t come out of this relationship unphased. No. I was a mess. Matty is taking things to the grave I was so torn up. Now, with Eve in my presence again, all I want to do is make it right.

The elderly guide leads us to a stop outside of room 411, Jess’s birthing suite. ‘Here we are,’ she says with a kind smile. ‘The family waiting room is just down the hall near the fire exit if you’d rather wait there.’

‘We’re good for now, thank you,’ I reply, pushing open the heavy door for Eve to enter. I follow closely behind her.

The Labor and Delivery suite greets us with an air of sterility – white walls, floors, and furnishings. The air is thick with the smell of bleach, mixed with the faint aroma of disinfectant and the underlying musk of baby powder – the scent of a new life. I hear the steady beeping of a monitor, but it’s slightly muffled by the chatter of Eve’s parents, sister, and Kait, who’s decked out in a pair of light blue scrubs.

‘Hi, you guys!’ Eve greets everyone enthusiastically, walking straight to Jess and gently patting her swollen belly. ‘He’s on his way, huh?’

The room falls eerily silent as everyone turns to look when they spot me.

‘Foster.’ Kait’s eyes widen as she acknowledges my presence. Her gaze flickers over to Eve, then back to me as she mutters under her breath, ‘You brought him?’

‘I’m right here,’ I remind her with a smile.

‘Yes, you are,’ she says, crossing her arms over her chest.

Eve could be right. These people may hate my guts.

Luckily, Kait’s gaze moves over to Eve, and half a smirk creeps up on her. ‘Where were you guys? At a rodeo?’

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