Page 29 of Embers in Our Souls
I’m taken aback by her words, not sure what to do with this information. Her brother died? When? How? Why didn’t she tell me?
“When did this happen? Why didn’t you—” I stop myself from finishing that question because it dawns on me right then that she’s led a whole life without me that I have yet to see. In all honesty, I may never see. Because she’s cutting me out of it permanently now. But I cut myself out if it the minute I lied to her five years ago.
“I’m sorry about Bryce. I didn’t know.”
“How could you? You left. Abruptly.” She says it so matter-of-factly. But she isn’t wrong. I walked away from her. I took everything we started to build together and tarnished it. In true Tyler fashion, I blew it up. And I let her grieve alone. She had no one to lean on because her circle was so little already and I made it even smaller.
I feel like there’s a rock in my stomach and I haven’t even eaten lunch yet. I take a quick sip of my water, looking down at my menu. The server stops by and we quickly put in our orders.
Once the server leaves, I look at Indy, the silence between us is deafening.
“Listen, Ty, to be completely frank with you, I’m in a relationship. I’ve been seeing him for a few months and I think for me to continue moving forward in my life, I need to cut ties with my past. I need to begin fresh and this thing between us just can’t continue. It’s not healthy, you know?” She finally looks up from her rant, and I’m not sure if she had this speech memorized in her head, but she looks relieved she got it all out in the open.
“I understand,” I tell her. “But don’t you think we should talk about what happened all those years ago?” I ask her.
“I think you made yourself pretty clear on how you stood then,” she says. “I already spoke to a divorce attorney and got papers drawn up. It’s pretty cut and dry to get this done.”
“You move fast,” I say, the sarcasm dripping from my tone.
“Fast? You call a fake marriage of eleven years fast?” she throws back.
“I just think this deserves a little more time for us to talk. Especially since we haven’t seen one another. I think I should explain myself further. It’s just that?—”
Right then there’s commotion to my right. A pregnant woman pushes her chair back and screams, more in excitement than fear.
“Oh my gosh. Is that pee or did my water break!” I can’t help but look over and watch the situation unfold. Indy is drawn to the woman as well.
“I guess thosewerecontractions I was feeling, babe!” She says that loud enough that most of the restaurant hears her. I stand up, grabbing my phone, ready to make a phone call.
I start to make my way over, knowing they might need some help.
“Hi, my name is Tyler. I’m a firefighter, off duty right now. Sorry to overhear, but can I lend a hand to get you to your car?” I offer.
“We walked here,” her partner says, his eyes the size of saucers.
“Is this your first baby?” I ask, hoping his answer is yes. If so, they’ll have a little more time until the baby makes their arrival.
“No, it’s our fourth. But I have never had my water break. And I usually have to be induced. I’ve never gone into labor naturally. This is a first. We were trying to walk this baby out in hopes I could change things up,” the woman says. She must be feeling a contraction coming, her hand splayed on her belly.
“You feeling a contraction?” I ask, already knowing her response.
“Yeah, it’s not too bad,” she says, even though she might be one of those that has been having them all day and progressing without knowing it.
“Sweetie, why are you making that face?” her partner asks.
“Oh, I just have to use the restroom.” Then she whispers to him and I overhear her say, “I didn’t go this morning.”
Right then I suppress a groan because I already know this could get messy. I dial emergency services and ask for help at our location. Then I explain the situation to the restaurant staff. I shift to see Indiana’s face look up at me in confusion.
I walk over to explain. “I think we’ll have to continue this another time. I have a feeling this lady might have this baby pretty quickly, so I’m going to stay with her until emergency personnel arrive. I don’t feel comfortable leaving her like this.”
“I thought you said you’re still in a probationary period though,” she says.
“I am, but I’ve delivered babies before. Plus, I can’t simply leave her. Look at them.” I jut my chin in their direction to the panicked looks on their faces. Another contraction is already hitting her and it’s only a matter of time, she’s feeling even more pressure with that baby’s head crowning.
“Sorry, I just don’t think today’s the day. Raincheck?” I tell her.
“Sure,” she nods, her eyes focused on the couple behind me.
