It's Our Time (Carolina Rebels 3)

Soon, I’m home, sitting on the couch, and watching the game there. Well, it’s intermission, so I’m not watching anything actually. Sylvia arrives just as the second period is starting with ginger ale and saltine crackers.

“If you get hungry, say the word and I’ll raid your kitchen and fix you supper,” she says.

“Thanks, but if I get hungry, then I’m sure I’ll be able to do it myself. Y’all don’t have to stay with me.”

“We already texted the guys to let them know we left,” Meredith says, which reminds me that I need to text Ian. He won’t see it until after the game, but he’ll see it before he makes his way to the box.

“Congrats on the baby, by the way,” Lizzy says from her seat next to me.

“Thanks. We just found out today. Please don’t tell anyone yet. We haven’t even told our family.”

“We can keep a secret,” Sylvia tells me.

I alternate between munching on the crackers and sipping the ginger ale. I try to focus on the game, but I’m tired once more. My eyes drift closed before I can tell the girls they should head home.

“Bruiser?”

“Yeah?” I glance at Noah, who is staring at his phone, while I put my shoes on.

“Why the fuck is my woman at your apartment?”

“Mine too,” Marco adds.

“Sylvia’s there too,” Scotty says as he comes over.

“What?” I pat my pockets, find the one that has my phone, and read my texts to see that Sydney texted me twice. One said she was coming to the game. The next one says that the trio forced her home. What the fuck happened? I grab my keys and start hurrying to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“Home. Something obviously happened.”

Someone curses and then they’re right behind me. My heart hammers in my chest. Her leaving the game early isn’t what bothers me. It’s the fact that she apparently had an escort and that they haven’t left her. That means they must be worried. Which means something might have happened to scare them.

I burst through the door of my apartment, the three stooges close behind me, to see Sydney asleep. She’s leaning on Lizzy, her feet in Meredith’s lap, and Sylvia was lucky enough to be in the recliner.

“She okay?” I ask.

“I think so,” Meredith answers. “She got sick and nearly fainted. Then, we found out she hadn’t eaten. She still hasn’t except for the crackers. She fell asleep eating those.”

“What’s wrong with her?” Noah hesitantly asks.

Sylvia snorts. “She’s having a baby Bruiser, but you can’t tell anyone yet.”

Scott is standing to my left and he slaps my shoulder in a silent congrats. I feel two more slaps on my right from Noah and Marc.

I move over to sit on the coffee table. “She worry you that much?” I look between Meredith and Lizzy.

“She didn’t look all that great, despite saying she was fine. And she freaked me out when I saw her eyes start to roll. So, yeah.”

“Thanks for taking care of her.” I reach out and shake her shoulder. “Babe, wake up.”

She startles awake and then jumps. “What the hell happened to you?”

“What the hell happened to you?” I ask right back.

“Nothing.” She frowns.

“Oh lord, you have a liar on your hands,” Sylvia says from behind me.