Safe Bet (The Rules 4)

“Who’s the girl, Drew?”

“Does your wife know about this little date?”

“You brought your kids?”

“Is this the new nanny, Callahan?”

“Where’s Fable?”

“Where’s your wife?”

“Drew! Is it true that you and Fable are separating?”

“Is that your new girlfriend?”

Oh God. I can’t turn back. I don’t look at anyone. Drew removes his arm from around my shoulder and takes my hand, leading me to the car. I keep my gaze focused on his broad back, ignoring the reporters’ voices, the flash of their cameras.

How do celebrities cope with this sort of thing day after day? It’s awful.

As soon as the vehicle comes into view, Drew hits the keyless remote. I hurry over and put the children into their car seats, buckling them in, relieved when they’re secure so I can hurriedly close the door.

“Get in the car,” Drew demands and I run around the back of the car. But my foot gets caught on something and I trip, squealing as I fall onto the ground, landing heavily on my knees.

Drew appears in an instant, and I lift my head, tears threatening to fall from my eyes. Before I can say anything, he grabs hold of my arms and hauls me onto my feet. “You all right?” His gaze bores into mine, his dark brows furrowed and I nod, unable to find words.

Afraid if I try to talk, I’ll end up crying instead.

He lets go of me just as the paparazzi reappears, their flashbulbs blinding as they go off again and again. I stumble once more, my back hitting the SUV and Drew grabs hold of me, scooping me up into his arms and clutching me close to his chest. The reporters become extremely loud and I know it’s because of the way Drew’s holding me.

In his arms. Like I’m the one who just fainted, not his wife. Which of course, the reporters don’t know about any of that. They can’t.

This isn’t going the way we planned.

Drew throws open the door and practically shoves me into the SUV, slamming the door extra hard. He doesn’t say a word as he climbs into the driver’s seat and heads for the back of the restaurant. He throws the car in park and gets out, disappearing through a door that I assume leads into the restaurant. Within minutes he’s back outside, Fable in his arms and looking pale, but otherwise all right.

The photographers are—of course—nowhere to be found.

“Are you okay?” I ask her once she’s settled in the passenger side seat.

Fable nods, her expression still dazed. “I fainted.”

“We’re going to the hospital,” Drew says firmly as he slides behind the steering wheel and throws the car into drive.

“Where’s Wade?” I ask just as the door is thrown open and he climbs inside, sitting next to me.

“I’m right here,” he says with a charming smile, one I can’t help but return.

“Yay, Wade, you made it! If I can hold my pee pee for a few minutes, Daddy is going to give me another lollipop!” Autumn yells, her voice scratchy.

Drew laughs. So does Fable. Wade chuckles too.

But I don’t laugh. Nope. Instead, I burst into tears.

Ah man, she’s crying. I don’t do well with women and tears. My mom wasn’t much of a crier, she was too tough for that most of the time. But when she did actually cry? I always ended up terrified, unsure of how to comfort her. Tears make me uncomfortable.

Sydney’s quiet tears are shredding me.

“Hey. Don’t cry,” I say quietly as I scoot closer to her and slip my arm around her shoulders, trying to offer comfort. Her entire body is stiff and she quickly wipes at her cheeks, then brushes her hair away from her face before she turns those big blue eyes on me. They’re shining with unshed tears and her cheeks are splotchy, but otherwise, she looks fine.

“I’m okay,” she murmurs. “I don’t want to scare the kids. And they have enough to deal with.” She waves a hand toward the front of the car.

I tilt my head to the right, studying Drew’s profile. His jaw is tight and his mouth is grim but otherwise, he appears to have everything under control. He’s not driving like a maniac, but he is going fast, which I can’t blame him for that. I’d want to get to the hospital ASAP too. He says something to his wife and I tune them out, not wanting to invade their privacy.

Instead, I focus my attention on Sydney, who’s got her arms wrapped around her middle and is staring out the window. “Are you sure you’re really all right?” I ask, careful to keep my voice low. I don’t want anyone else to hear me, just her.

She nods and turns to face me, nibbling on her lower lip. It’s a sexy look, her teeth digging into that plump bottom lip, though I know that’s not what she’s going for. She dashes her fingers under her eyes again, catching the last of the tears before she offers me a reassuring smile. “I’m fine. Thank you for asking.”

“That was scary as hell.”

“Yeah, it was.” Amusement laces her tone, which I take as a good sign.

“You handled yourself pretty well.”

“I’m glad you think so.” She rolls her eyes. “Trust me, I was barely keeping it together.”

“Same.” I smile, like we share a secret. “Deep down inside I was in full on panic mode.”

“Me too.” Her smile softens, then completely disappears. “You’ll never believe what happened when Drew and I and the kids left the restaurant earlier.”