Page 38 of Sparks Fly

Tarshia laughs again. “Fair.” As if fate intervenes, she groans and rubs a hand over her swollen belly.

“Are you okay?” I ask, sitting up straight.

She grits out a “yes,” but it’s followed by another low moan. “Just a contraction.”

“Does that mean the baby is coming?” She’s three days overdue. My heart races as I glance over at Theo. Dad went out to run and errand, and I have no idea what to do if the baby reallyiscoming.

“Looks like it.” She groans again.

“What do you need me to do?”

“Run the bath for me? That helped when Theo was born.”

I spring up from the couch and race down the hallway to the bathroom. Once the bath is full, I race back to the living room to help Tarshia to her feet. We’re halfway down the hallway when she stops, gripping my hand so tightly that I have to bite back a curse. When we finally make it to the bathroom, I turn my back as she gets undressed and climbs into the tub. “I think you should go and call your dad.”

“Of course.” I hurry back to the living room and swipe my phone from the coffee table. I scroll through to Dad’s name and press the call button. I pace back and forth as I wait for him to answer.

“Hi, you’ve called Jeremy–”

Shit.I hang up and try again, starting to feel a little hopeless when I get his voicemail again.

I scoop up Theo and head back to the bathroom. “Tarshia,” I call, trying to hide the panic from my voice as I knock lightly on the door. “I can’t get hold of Dad. What do you want me to do?”

There’s a pause before another groan floats from the room. “Keep trying. But while you do, my hospital bag is just inside my room. Can you put it in the car? And grab Theo’s bag. If you can’t get hold of your dad, you’re going to have to drive me to the hospital. He can meet us there.”

“Right.” I put Theo in his crib while I try Dad again with no luck. Theo starts to cry, but I leave him where he is while I grab the bags and put them in the car.

Once everything is ready, I rush back to Tarshia again. “The car is packed. I still can’t get hold of Dad.”

“I’m going to need your help out of the tub.”

Of course she is.I open the door, trying my best to give her privacy. I make my way over to the edge of the bathtub. I grab a towel from the rail and hold it up as a barrier while Tarshia slowly pulls herself out of the water. I help her step over the edge, and she instantly doubles over in pain, breathing heavily.

“Are you okay?” I ask again. I’m way out of my comfort zone.

“I’m fine,” Tarshia grunts out. “Put Theo in the car while I get dressed.” I hesitate, unsure if I should leave her. “I’m fine, Ivy. Go.”

I pick up the baby, trying to comfort him while I get him strapped into his car seat. By the time he’s settled, Tarshia is making her way down the front steps. I rush to help her into the car and we’re halfway to the hospital when my dad finally calls.

“It’s time, honey,” Tarshia strains through another contraction. “We’re on our way to the hospital.”

“I’ll meet you there.”

EIGHTEEN

CONRAD

IVY HAS BEEN MIA for two weeks.

I haven’t seen her anywhere–the beach, the ice cream store, Patty’s. I’ve stopped short of stalker vibes and driving past her house. It’s not like I can ask Brady or any of their friends where she is. They’d never tell me–not to mention she’d kill me.

My workouts have been restricted because of my ribs, which means I’ve had to spend more time at home. After the argument I had with Mum, I’m barely speaking to either of my parents–but that doesn’t stop Dad’s not-so-thinly veiled insults. According to him, my injury is just another way that I’ve screwed up. As much as I hate it, the light duties I’ve been assigned for pre-season is necessary. Bruised ribs are common in rugby. So much so that I know I’ll be doing more damage by not letting them heal properly.

Coach was annoyed, but there wasn’t much he could do. The surf club had been his idea. He doesn’t need to know I got hurt because I was distracted by a girl.

I make every attempt to stay out of Dad’s way. I spend mornings running along the beach and my afternoons and evenings either doing a light workout or lazing in the movie room. I’m not going to lie, whilst out on my runs I’ve been looking for Ivy, hoping I can get a glimpse of her–I’ve had no such luck. Seems like while I’m avoiding my dad, she’s avoiding me.

Unfortunately for me, my dad is a man who doesn’t like being ignored. One afternoon, he finally corners me in the gym. “What are you benching?” he asks, stacking some weights onto the bar.

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