“That he won’t want to stay.”
“I don’t think it’s about want,” Renie said. “The key is in getting him to talk about the big secret he and Jace share. Obviously, there was another accident. I’m guessing that whoever the girl was, died in it. We’ve all figured out that much.”
“I would say you’re right,” added Bree. “But there’s gotta be more to it.”
“Get Tucker to talk, Blythe.”
“What if he really loved her? What if he loved her more than he loves me? Maybe that’s why he keeps leaving. What he wants is her, and he can’t have her because she’s dead. He thinks he wants me, but then when he’s with me, I don’t measure up.”
“No, that isn’t it at all. Not even close,” a male voice said.
All three of them had been so focused on their conversation, they didn’t hear the door open or Tucker walk in.
Renie released Blythe’s hand and stood. Bree stood, too. They both looked at Blythe, who nodded her head.
“What is it, then?” Blythe asked him.
Tucker took a deep breath, and sat down in the chair Renie left empty.
Jace was pacing when Bree and Renie got off the elevator.
“Is he up there?”
“Uh, good morning, Jace. How are you?” joked Renie.
“Yes, he’s up there,” answered Bree.
“How is she?”
“Mad at him, but willing to listen.”
“I hope he’s willing to talk,” added Renie.
Me too, thought Jace. Although Tucker wasn’t the only one who needed to talk. He needed to tell his brother the role he’d played in what happened that night. And after he did, he wasn’t sure he’d see Blythe, the baby, or any of these people again. If Tucker refused to forgive him, it would be Jace’s turn to leave.
Renie’s phone pinged, and she pulled it out of her pocket. “Oh my God,” she shouted. “My mom’s water broke. I’m here, and my mom is having her baby. Shit. What am I going to do?”
“I’ll drive you there,” Jace offered.
“You’re sure? I mean, should we drive? By the time I caught a flight, we could be there already. I’m so nervous. I have to pick up Willow. She’s with Paige and Mark.”
Jace chuckled. “Let’s get on the
road. The longer you stand here, the longer it will take us to get there.”
“Tell Blythe, will you, Bree?”
“Of course—now, go!”
“Call your mom, and tell her we’re on our way.”
“I’ll tell her to have Willow in the driveway, ready to go.”
“Thanks! Oh my gosh, my mom is having a baby.”
When they got to the hospital in Gunnison, her mother was still in labor. She hadn’t missed it. “Do you mind?” she asked Jace, handing him Willow, and running toward the delivery room.
“Of course not,” he answered, not that she could hear him; she was running as fast as she could.