Perfectly Toxic (Sterling Shore 9)

“There’s an entire hallway full of people I need to go speak to. They all think—”

His words die, and he swallows audibly. I immediately feel guilt, and I nod as he walks out. They all think our baby was the cause of all the

blood, and I only had Allie listed as my family. Where the hell is she?

I know better than anyone how crazy they are about policy and procedure here.

Looking around, I spot my purse on the table. I guess Berta must have had it with her, because that’s where she was standing. I grab my phone from it, tossing it back on the table as I dial the girl in question.

Allie answers on the third ring.

“Holy shit, Bella, we’re coming back right now. We’re just a few hours away. I’m so, so, so sorry,” she says, sobbing. “I just found out. We didn’t have any signal, and—”

“I’m fine,” I interrupt. “And so is the baby.”

Her sobs get louder, and I grimace in pain when I try to sit up. Damn those stitches are tight.

“You are?” she asks.

“Yes. So don’t bother coming back. I just had some stitches. Everything is fine, and everyone else is here. Turns out it’s not just you and me anymore, kiddo.”

She laughs and cries at the same time, and I smile when the door opens.

“Love you, Bella,” she says softly.

“Love you, Allie. Gotta go. I have some adoring fans who wish to pat my tummy.”

She snorts, and I feel better just knowing she’s no longer panicking.

Brin walks in as I hang up, and she looks as relieved as I felt moments ago. Ruby comes in with her, and before I know it, both of them are crying and hugging me, and I’m hugging them back the best I can.

By the time they lean up, we’re all three blubbering messes, both of them apologizing to me like it’s their fault, and me apologizing to them for scaring everyone so badly. It takes me a minute to realize my room is absolutely full of people.

“Ethan had to deal with the police, but he’ll be right back,” Rye says, clearing his throat as he moves into the room.

“The police?” I ask, confused.

“Yeah. Long story. He was a little upset when he thought you’d… It’ll be fine. They’re being understanding, and he’s paying for the damage.”

Before I can question that, Arlene is walking in, drying her eyes on a tissue. She’s careful not to tackle me, but she holds me close, shaking as she sobs with relief. James Noles just silently observes us, but I swear it seems like he’s been crying. When Arlene withdraws, she wipes her eyes and has me promise to call her the second I leave.

I do promise her that.

It’s several minutes later when Ethan finally slips back in silently.

He quietly takes a seat in the corner, his eyes training themselves on me like he’s worried to look away, as each person here takes their turn at hugging me. Even Maverick’s eyes look a little watery when he comes and ruffles my hair like I’m a kid or something.

I guess emotion is a little awkward for him.

“Never again,” he says, pointing a finger at me. “You can’t scare us like that ever again.”

To know everyone was worried to death over nothing makes me feel all the guiltier.

Dale steps closer, and he looks as tired as I feel, as though this day has wrecked him. “I think you owe us all a drink, and since you can’t drink, you can be the designated driver.”

He forces a smile as I laugh lightly, but I nod as he moves on, going to speak with Ethan. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but Ethan’s eyes keep flicking to me.

Rain and Tria start talking to me, but I can’t hear the words they’re saying, because all of my attention is on Ethan. He said he loved me… That was when he thought we’d lost the baby.