Page 6 of Hate the One You're With
A nurse at the reception desk gives me a polite nod, and I return it with a tight smile, not slowing my pace. Hospitals aren’t my favorite place. In my experience, nothing good happens here. I’ve been stitched up more times than I care to count, usually from some mission gone sideways.
My father was rushed to this hospital when he collapsed at work—it was a heart attack. They didn’t think he’d make it, but somehow he pulled through. And then there are the timeswhen either Max or Ethan have been hurt. I’ve stayed nights beside them because, like me, the stubborn assholes don’t want to worry their parents and siblings and refuse to let us call them.
I shake my head, trying to shake the dread, and walk to the elevator. I step inside, pressing the button for the third floor where the maternity ward is. The doors slide shut, and the elevator hums softly as it ascends. I lean back against the wall, my thoughts drifting to Max and Zoe. They’re happy—really, genuinely happy. They’ve found something solid, something real.
Meanwhile, I’m always somewhere in between, never fully settling into one place or one life. I’m constantly in limbo, juggling between missions and moments like this—where I share in the happiness of others, but never my own.
The elevator dings, and the doors slide open. I step out and make my way down the hallway, the soft sounds of newborn cries and hushed conversations filling the air. When I reach the room, I pause for a moment, gathering myself before greeting the new family.
Inside, I find Max sitting on the edge of the bed, his arm wrapped around Zoe as she cradles a tiny bundle of pink and purple. Max’s face is softened by an expression I’ve never seen on him before—pure, unfiltered love. Zoe looks up at him, her eyes sparkling with the same emotion, while the baby rests peacefully in her arms.
The sight hits me harder than I expected. There’s something about seeing my best friend like this, holding the most precious thing in his life, that tugs at something deep inside me. It’s a quiet moment, but it’s everything. A small pang ofsomething—maybe loneliness, maybe envy—flickers in me, but I push it aside. This is their moment and I’m genuinely happy for them. Still, seeing them like this makes me wonder when—if—I’ll ever find something like it.
But do I even want that? With my line of work, it feels selfish to even consider it. I don’t want to be someone’s worry, or worse, a burden. But what if . . .
I shake off the thoughts and refocus on the moment at hand.
“Hey,” I say softly, stepping into the room with a grin. “Am I interrupting, or can I finally meet thislife-changing, surreal creature?”
Max looks up, his grin matching mine. “Get over here, Cunningham. Meet your niece.”
I step closer, and the warmth of the room wraps around me like a cozy blanket. The sight of Max and Zoe with their baby somehow makes the usual weight on my shoulders feel a little lighter. This, right here—these moments of connection and shared happiness—this is what life is about. The sense of belonging, of being part of something bigger than yourself. It’s a rare feeling for me, and I savor it while it lasts.
“She’s perfect,” I say, feeling a genuine smile spread across my face. “Congratulations, man. And you too, Zoe. You guys did good.”
Zoe looks up at me with a tired but radiant smile. “Thanks, Caleb. We’re pretty smitten with her already.”
Max lets out a breathy laugh, a mix of relief and awe in his voice. “Yeah. Can you believe it? I’m a dad and have a beautiful woman who loves me.”
“Believe it?” I chuckle, shaking my head. “I can barelybelieve you let someone domesticate you, let alone that you’re now responsible for a tiny human.”
Zoe laughs softly. “He’s not as bad as you think.”
Max smirks. “Don’t worry, I’m housebroken. Mostly.”
Zoe rolls her eyes but smiles affectionately. “I’ll believe that when you stop leaving your socks all over the place.”
Max grins wider, clearly enjoying the banter. “Hey, I’m a dad now. I think that gives me a free pass for at least a year—but you’re the messy one, future Mrs. McCallister. And you have a pass for eternity.”
Zoe chuckles and playfully nudges him. “If by messy, you mean keeping things creatively organized, then yes, guilty as charged.” She yawns, a soft, tired sound, and Max immediately takes the baby from her arms with the gentleness of a man who’s just discovered his heart outside his body.
“Get some rest, babe,” Max says softly, brushing a kiss on her forehead. He looks down at the baby in his arms, a mixture of pride and awe in his expression. “You and I will hang out while Mom is napping.”
Instead of pointing out that the baby is also asleep, I step closer, curiosity getting the better of me. “So, what’s the name of this little bundle of joy? Am I finally allowed to learn it, or is it still some kind of national security secret?”
Max grins at me, then looks down at his daughter with a soft expression. “Caleb, meet Emma Grace McCallister.”
My lungs deflate at the mention of her name. Emma is too close to Emmersyn. Emmersyn, the woman who apparently sent me an envelope a few weeks ago to . . . Who the fuck knows, really. My assistant could’ve opened it for me, but itdidn’t seem urgent. Besides, what is there left to say between Em and me?
Max’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I force a smile, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling. “I’m fine, just tired. Long flight, you know? I probably should head to the apartment.”
Max raises an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Oh, so should I wait until you’re rested to mention that call you got last week?”
I cock an eyebrow, crossing my arms and giving him a look that saysgo on.
“According to my assistant, the woman said it was urgent,” he adds, his tone a mix of teasing and something more serious.
