I couldn’t ask for better.
CHAPTER 21
BRIDGER
I’m at the end of my rope and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. Avery is three days over her due date and I’m on pins and needles because of it. There have been many times in my life when I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop, but it was never like this.
Even though I cleared all of last week and the next six off my schedule, the consultation I’m finishing up right now was the one thing that couldn’t be moved. The plan was that if Avery went into labor before today then someone else would do the consultation for me. Since my little heart is still cooking, Avery insisted I keep the appointment.
My back goes ramrod straight when my phone rings. I don’t even bother with saying anything to my client and grab it.
“Avery?” I answer, my voice going up an octave. “Are you okay?”
“Um,” she pauses and blows out a breath, “Bridger, my water just broke.”
My eyes slide closed, and I grunt, “I knew I shouldn’t have kept this appointment.”
“I’m fine,” she assures me. “My contractions are 15 minutesapart. There’s time,” her voice is calm and even like she’s reassuring me.
I stand up quickly and my stool goes rolling across my space which catches everyone’s attention. I shout, “Contractions? What do you mean contractions?”
She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “I’m not sure how to answer that, Bridger,” she sasses. “Yes, I’m having contractions,” she confirms, “and my water has broken.”
“I’m on my way,” I try to not sound hysterical but considering the way everyone stops what they’re doing and stands up slowly, I do a shitty job at keeping myself under control.
“Okay, I’m going to change and will meet you at the door with our bag,” she speaks slowly.
“Don’t you dare pick up that bag, Avery,” I order, “you’re in labor.”
“Yes,” her breath hitches and it makes me wonder if it’s another contraction, “I am.”
Before I realize what is happening, Wyatt is next to me and snatching my phone out of my hand. My fists ball at my sides and I have to really put effort into not punching my boss and friend.
“How are you doing, Avery?” Hearing how calm Wyatt is shows me just how close to the edge I sounded. He keeps his eyes on me as he nods. “Right, okay. We’re on the way. We’ll make sure Bridger gets to you safely and you both get to the hospital.”
Wyatt hangs up and I don’t even try to hide my disappointment because he didn’t hand it back to me to let me hear her voice again. It’s my phone, damn it. And she’s my woman.
Am I pouting? Maybe.
“We need to move.” I wince because that does not sound like my voice at all. When did my voice get all high and thready?
Wyatt’s hands land on my shoulders. Then another set. Then a set lands on my upper arms. And a set on my biceps. And my forearms.
When I look around, I realize my family is surrounding me. They’re all looking at me with concern and I narrow my eyes.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I snap, “I’m not the one in labor. My woman is.”
“Bridger,” Wyatt pulls my attention toward him again and I want to punch him at the smile he’s trying to hide, “I need you to take a deep breath. We have time. I’m going to drive you home and then I’m going to drive you and Avery to the hospital. Tenley and the rest of our family is going to meet us there.”
Panic hits me right in the middle of my chest. This is it. She’s in labor.
And I’m not fucking there.
I drop my chin down to my chest and glumly whisper, “I knew I shouldn’t have kept this consultation appointment.”
“Hey man,” my client stands behind Wyatt with an apologetic look on his face. I meet his gaze over Wyatt’s shoulder. “I’m sorry you were with me and not your woman when she went into labor. But you’re good to go now. You let me know when you’re ready, and we’ll make another appointment.”
“No,” I choke out, “I got the info I need. I’ll draw something up and send it your way.”
