Page 161 of Need You Now

Losing her mom, losing Sal, had taught her that.

When she started talking about Los Angeles and her job, he made her sound selfish and heartless, when all she was was scared. He should’ve seen it. Lacey was a planner. She needed control. Of course, her being out of her element would scare her. And what did he do? He acted like an asshole. Great job, Seth.

He swallows a gulp of his beer.

Because she was uprooting her life for him while he was recording an album and planning a tour, and just assuming she’d be there, because hell, he wanted her there more than anything in the world—but did he ask her to come? Or did he just let that slip through the cracks like everything else?

He should have compromised. They could have done long distance for a few months. Hell, he could have offered to move there. Anything to make it work.

Sal pegged him right.

He let her go too easy. Sal knew it was a cop-out, knew Seth was blaming himself for not being good enough, and she called him on his bullshit.

Now he’s got the two women he loves most in the world pissed as hell at him.

He and Sal have never fought before. At least not like that. The way she looked at him, pain and betrayal in her eyes, it was like a fucking knife to his heart.

And Lacey ...

They’ve barely been apart twelve hours, but already he feels like he has some great sucking wound in his chest. A void that needs her. Because despite everything, no matter how they left things, he never wanted it to end like it did. He still loves her. So goddamned much.

He’s gotta call her. Fight for her. Apologize. He did her wrong. Real fucking wrong. The last thing he wants her to do is leave believing that they ain’t got a chance. Because they do. And Seth’s gotta make her see that. See that there’s no one else in the world he’d rather be with.

Holdin’ someone new? Fuck that. And fuck him.

Seth groans at the buzz of his phone. No doubt it’s Luke. If he keeps screening his brother’s calls, he’s in for a real ass-chewing the next time he sees him.

“Okay, okay,” he mutters, pulling his phone out of his back pocket. Only when he sees Lacey’s name on the screen, his heart sparks with hope. With reconciliation.

Quick, he swipes it up and answers. “Lace.”

“Seth?”

He tenses. Instantly, he can tell this isn’t the conversation he wanted. Something’s wrong. Her voice is shaky like she’s been crying. “Princess, what is it? Are you okay?”

“It’s Sal.” Her voice comes high-pitched and panicked. “She’s in labor.”

Seth’s stomach plummets. It’s too damn early for that baby to come. He rips a hand through his hair. “You ain’t serious.”

“Oh, I am very serious, Seth,” she hisses. “We’re on our way to the hospital, but I can’t find Luke. He’s not answering his phone.”

“Shit.” Seth rockets off his stool and tosses down a twenty-dollar bill.

“You have to find him.” Lacey’s voice drops, a hushed whisper, trying not to scare Sal. “Sal’s bleeding. Something’s wrong.”

Christ, no.

He closes his eyes, opens them. “I’m on my way.” He pauses. “It’ll be okay, Lacey.”

She lets out a shaky breath. “Hurry. Please.”

Seconds later, Seth’s in his car dialing Luke. No answer. Next up is Jace.

“You seen Luke?” he demands as soon as Jace answers.

“No. He might’ve been headed to the studio to meet Bobby, but I ain’t sure.”

Fuck. Where the hell is his brother? He’s been a damn helicopter husband this entire pregnancy and now when Sal needs him, he’s MIA.

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