Page 23 of When Autumn Arrives

No one else was in here, but the last thing I wanted was to start a scene. I'd be kicked out of here so fast, and not being able to see Paisley would be worse than the embarrassment of being escorted by security.

"Calm down, Thea. Fuck, you're so dramatic."

Shane's hands rest on either of my shoulders and he squeezed to keep me from lunging at Kyle, no doubt. Still, it managed to rub the tension from me, and my nervous system calmed at the soothing touch.

I closed my eyes, focusing on my breaths. "Why is Riley with her, Kyle?"

"Because Paisley was crying for you. She didn't want me. So, Riley offered to go down. It's a bit ridiculous how much you act like I'm a shitty parent. We've been doing just fine without you for the past five weeks."

His gaze settled behind me, and I knew he was in the middle of a pissing contest with Shane.

"Who's this?" he asked.

Shane released his hold on me. He stepped around, extending his arm out for Kyle. "I'm Shane. I own the mechanic shop next to Thea's bar."

Kyle raised a brow. "A bar, huh? Is that a good environment to raise a child?"

"Sorry," Shane whispered. He stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Shadow Cove is the best environment to raise a child, Kyle. The crime rate is non-existent, the schools are good, and you are not there to be a bad influence on her."

"And the mechanic next door is the better father figure?"

Shane choked on a fit of laughter.

"Shane and I are friends, Kyle. He drove me because my car is in the shop. Now, tell me what happened. Is it her kidney?"

Kyle shrugged. "She woke up puking her guts out a few nights ago. When she didn't stop, Riley suggested we bring her in. It's probably just a stomach bug. Everyone is overreacting."

I waved my hands in the air, over his nonchalant attitude about our daughter's health. She only had one working kidney, and getting sick was rougher on her body. He'd never understood that. She looked normal, acted normal, was normal. But that didn't mean she was able to fight off infections.

It wasn't even worth reminding him. "How long has she been in radiology?"

"An hour."

I turned to Shane. "They should be back soon. Let's go wait in her room."

"She's in the ICU. Two per room," Kyle interjected.

I waved between Shane and I. "One. Two."

"I want to see my daughter."

"I can wait," Shane offered. He sat down at the table. "I'll be in here, it's okay."

"I think it's best Kyle and I don't bicker in front of her."

"Definitely don't do that. She's exhausted." Riley's voice came from the entrance of the room.

I rushed toward her, bringing her into a tight hug. Riley's arms wrapped around me, and she rubbed my back soothingly. "She's okay, momma. She's fine."

Riley was a good three inches shorter than me, but I allowed her to console me, resting my chin into her shoulder. I had no one who did this for me. Chrissy wasn't a hugger, and my mom would most likely not come from wherever she was in the country with her new boyfriend. This was it. My ex boyfriend's new girlfriend. How fucking pathetic, I was.

Tears flowed freely, and I allowed them for a moment, while she stroked my back and whispered in my ear.

She should have been too close for comfort, especially when I knew that she held feelings for me I couldn't reciprocate. Feelings that Kyle could.

I gave myself the full minute, allowed myself to fall to the guilt that I wasn't there for Paisley when I should have been. Then, I pulled away and swiped at my tears.

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