“Ugh. I should have called Sawyer.” She smirks.
“In the car, Riggins.” I smirk right back at her. I win, of course, and I help her into the car. “Now, I’m going to call Owen from my phone and not yours, so he doesn’t lose his shit in the middle of their meeting. I’m going to ask him to step out for a quick second, but you, my dear sister, are going to be the one to tell him. He’ll go off on me, not from anger, but fear. He will be the exact opposite with you, so you get the pleasure.”
“Deal.” She smiles, placing her hand over her baby bump.
Double-checking that she’s buckled in and comfortable, I pull my phone from my front pocket and place it in the cupholder. Pulling out of the lot, I hit the button on my steering wheel. “Call Owen,” I direct my Bluetooth. The phone rings through the car speakers, and after the third ring, he picks up.
“What’s up?”
“Hey, can you step out for a minute?”
“Hold on.” He doesn’t hesitate and tells Royce he’s stepping out. “Done,” he tells me.
I turn to Layla and give her a look. “You’re up,” I tell her.
“What?” Owen asks.
“Hey, babe.”
“Layla?” Owen asks. “What’s going on?”
“My water broke. And before you freak out, I’m okay. Grant and I are on the way to the hospital.”
“Fuck,” he curses under his breath. “How are you? Are you in pain? Damnit. I knew I should have missed this meeting this morning when you were having contractions.”
“What? How did you know that?”
“You’re my wife,” he tells her. Like that’s the only explanation he needs. “I’m on my way. Grant!” he barks.
“Yeah?”
“You have my world in that SUV of yours.”
“I’ve got them, brother. Drive safe.”
“Layla, I love you. I love you so fucking much. I’m on my way,” he tells her.
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye, baby.” The call ends.
“That went better than I expected,” I tell Layla. She’s quiet, so I glance over and see her gripping the door handle, her face constricted in pain.
“Yeah,” she says, releasing her hold on the door. “Sorry, contraction.” She grins.
“You are the only woman in the world happy to be in pain due to labor.”
“No. I’m not. And I’m not happy about the pain. I’m happy that I finally get to meet my son. I’m happy that my life is something I only ever imagined it could be. I’m just… happy, Grant. I’m so happy.”
I’m man enough to admit that she’s got me a little choked up. Instead of replying, I reach over and give her hand a gentle squeeze. I clear my throat before speaking again. “We should call everyone else.”
“I’ll call Sawyer and have her do it for us.”
“I’m going to call Aurora,” I say as I pull up to a Stop sign. I grab my phone and dial her number, moving the call from Bluetooth to my phone. The light turns green as she answers. I take Owen’s words to heart and make sure it’s clear in all directions before pulling through the light.
“Grant?” Aurora’s voice greets me.
“Hey, babe. I have a slight change of plans.”
“Okay.”
“I’m on my way to the hospital.”
“Oh, my— What’s wrong? What happened?”
“Layla’s water broke.”
“I’m on my way.”
“Drive safe,” I tell her.
“See you soon. Take care of her.”
“Always.” I put my cell back in the cupholder. “Aurora’s coming.”
“Good. She can keep you calm,” she teases. “Sawyer is on her way too. She’s going to call your parents, and Marshall and Conrad.”
Before I can comment, my phone rings. Owen’s name pops up on the dash, so I reach out and hit Accept. “Hey,” I answer.
“How is she?”
“I’m fine,” Layla answers him.
“How far apart are they?”
“About fifteen minutes or so.”
“I’m sorry I’m not there,” Owen says, and he sounds tortured. Then again, I can imagine that he’s worried about not being here for her.
“You have nothing to apologize for. We re—” she starts but grabs the door handle and grips her mouth shut.
“Lay? Baby, what’s happening?” Owen asks, panicked.
“Contraction,” I tell him.
“How long?”
“About ten minutes since the last one. I just pulled up to the Emergency Room. I’ll text you and let you know what room we’re in.”
“Fuck. Okay. Thanks, man. Layla, I’m on my way. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
“Take your time. Drive safe. You’re not going to miss it.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“All right, bro. We gotta go.”
“Take care of her, Grant. Both of them.”
“I’ve got this,” I tell him. I end the call and turn to Layla. “You stay here. I’m going to go grab a wheelchair.”
“Definitely glad it was you.” She grins. “I’ll be right here.”
“Grant.” I look up to find Aurora and Aspen walking toward me with large bags in their hands. “How is she?”
“Good. Owen is in there with her. He and Royce just got here.” I stand and give her a kiss. “What’s in the bags?” I ask, then turn to Aspen. “Hey.” I pull her into a hug.