Page 162 of Need You Now

“Listen, Sal’s in labor and he ain’t answerin’ his phone.”

“Christ,” Jace exhales. “I’ll find him.”

“Find him fast, man.”

White-knuckling the wheel, Seth punches the gas. He drives like hell on the way to the hospital, his nerves frayed by frustration and worry. By the time he gets there, Luke’s voice mail is full and Seth’s cursing his brother something fierce.

Upstairs, Seth makes his way to labor and delivery right when Sal’s getting wheeled down the hall on a gurney. Lacey follows behind her. Briefly, Seth meets her eyes but goes to Sal.

As he nears, the strong scent of copper hits his nostrils, turning his stomach. Blood seeps through the sheet covering the lower half of her body. “This can’t happen,” Sal moans, capturing Seth’s hand. Fear and anxiety cloud her pale face. “It’s too early.”

“You’re gonna be okay,” Seth says, hustling to stay by her side. He doesn’t know if it’s true or not, but he has to say it. He has to believe it. It can’t go any other way. “The both of you.”

Sal, her pallor ghost white, nods. She stares at Seth, tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry we fought,” she pants. “What I said—”

“Don’t worry about that. We’re good.” He squeezes her hand, his gaze pinning to hers. “We’re always good, you hear me?” He gives her a grin. “’Sides, you got more important things to worry aboutnow.”

A tiny smile graces her face. But her breaths are coming short and shallow. “Find Luke,” she begs. “Please, Seth. I can’t do this without him.”

Seth smooths her hair. “I’ll find him, Sal. Don’t—”

“I’m sorry, sir, you’ll have to move.” The nurse shoves the gurney, breaking their connection. “We need to get her to delivery.”

And then Sal’s gone, sweeping through the double doors and disappearing down the long hallway.

“Fuck!” Seth’s curse is loud and he tears a frustrated hand through his hair. His heart pounds in his chest. If something happens to Sal—to that baby—Luke’s a goner.

They all are.

A small sound gets his attention. Lacey, standing in the hall, looking frightened and fragile, hits him in the gut. “Hey,” he says, pulling himself together and going to her. “We’ll get through this.”

Her green eyes brim with tears. “I just want Sal to be okay. And the baby. If anything happens ...”

“We ain’t thinkin’ like that. You hear me?” He reaches out to take her hand. She doesn’t resist. The feel of her fingers in his—warm, slender—is like a centering calm. His breath steadies, and so does Lacey’s.

Seth gives her hand a squeeze. “You okay?”

Her inhale’s a shudder. “It was scary. Sal was bleeding, and I didn’t know what to do, but I did it. I had to.”

“You did good. You got her here.” He chuckles. “Hell, princess, you drove in the snow.”

Lacey laughs, but it’s cut short, her gaze jumping to a point over Seth’s shoulder.

He turns, anticipating Luke, but it’s Sal’s obstetrician, Dr. McKibbon.

“Sal’s already dilated to six,” she says by way of a greeting. Her wary eyes land on Seth’s. “We’re moving her to delivery. I’m going to need a daddy to appear soon.”

Seth grits his teeth. “Yeah, me fuckin’ too.”

“It’s early,” Lacey says in a no-nonsense tone, her hands propped on her hips. “What are you doing to help my sister and her baby? Nothing can happen to them—do you understand me?”

Seth side-eyes Lacey with pride. Any panic that was there is gone. Instead, Lacey stands there, determined to be strong for Sal.

McKibbon nods. “Thirty-four weeks is soon, but ninety-nine percent of babies born this early survive.” Her eyes flick to Seth. “I’d be more worried about Luke.” She smiles gently and moves in the direction of the double doors. “I’ll keep you updated.”

Lacey grips Seth’s arm, her eyes enormous. “Where is he?”

“I don’t know.” Seth laces his hands behind his head and paces, trying to chase away the panic. The restless energy building. “Luke, goddamnit,” he mutters. “I’m gonna kill you if you miss this.”

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