“Yeah I’m sorry guys,” I winced as I pulled myself up further in the bed, “I want to thank you both, you saved our lives.” I patted my stomach, already loving the little miracle growing inside me desperately. I was gutted that I had lost one of my babies and I guessed those emotions would floor me later, but for now, all I could think was that I could have lost both and that put things into perspective for me. “I remember hearing your voice in my head,” I said to Derek. “You were telling me to hold on, I held on to your voice, I think that’s how I pulled myself back.”
Derek blushed crimson and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Uh, no problem, just don’t go telling all the guys that,” he muttered. “I don’t wanna be nicknamed ‘the baby whisperer.’” Cam and I both chuckled at that.
“So where’s Kyle?” I asked, wondering what could be delaying him from being here. “Is he outside?”
Cam shifted awkwardly. “You can deliver that news baby whisperer.”
Kyle
I turned my key in the front door and let myself inside. The house was eerily quiet.
“Derek? Cam?” I called out. I didn’t dare call Lee’s name out, she was probably asleep. I couldn’t wait to talk to her, to finally let her all the way in. I had messed up by leaving her last night, but I could fix everything now.
I was free.
There was crap all over the place and Bruno was passed out on the couch, the little snake. I walked into the kitchen and it looked like a shit heap. Goddamn Cam, she knew the rules, ‘throw a party and clean the shit up after.’ I needed a shower; I would deal with the mess later.
I was bone tired. I’d had a long fucking night and all I wanted was to shower and crawl into bed with Lee. I trudged up the stairs and passed Lee’s bedroom door. I stalled by the door, this was definitely weird. Lee never left her door unlocked, let alone wide-open.
Her bed was empty. Something strange was going on. Had they all bailed out on me? I shook my head and opened the bathroom door.
My chest heaved and my stomach twisted when I took in the sight. There was blood everywhere, blood drenched towels were scattered all over the blood encrusted floor. I staggered back from the door and grabbed my phone from my pocket. The battery was dead.
Fuck, how long had it been dead?
I ran into my room and plugged it into the charger. I waited impatiently for it to start up. What the fuck had happened here and where were they? I had only been away a fucking night.
Finally, my phone booted up and was inundated with missed calls and text messages. I scrolled through them; fifteen missed calls from Derek, twelve from Cam. Dread filled my guts. I was afraid to read the texts.
Derek: (Dude get your ass home a.s.a.p.)
Cam: (Come home Kyle, there is something wrong with Lee. There is blood everywhere. I'm scared.)
Cam: (Where are you? We are in the ambulance with Lee, taking her to the hospital, Call me.)
Derek: (Answer your phone you stupid sack of shit, this is your girl I’m tryna save. Pull your dick outta Rachel, get in your fucking car and follow us to the hospital. You stupid shit.)
Ice ran through my veins. I couldn’t read anymore, I ran for my truck.
I dialed Derek’s number; he answered his phone on the third ring
“Dude, about fucking time-”
“Is she okay? I demanded, “Where is she?”
I heard Derek snort. “In the fucking hospital. She’s lucky to be alive, no thanks to you.”
Jesus Christ. “Which hospital is she in?” I drove down 10th, towards the city.
“I don’t think that’s…”
“Which hospital is she in Derek? I’ll find her either way.”
He sighed loudly. “St.Lukes.”
I nodded, taking a left. “I’ll be there in twenty.”
“Kyle, you might want to brace yourself dude, there’s something you need to know…”
I needed to get to Lee, not listen to Derek and his bullshit. I should have never left her last night. I was fucking stupid. “Spit it out dude, I’m trying to drive.”
He paused for a moment and then I heard him speak the words that tore through my heart with the force of a hurricane.” Kyle, she’s pregnant.”
Chapter Forty-three
Lee
I woke from an unsettled sleep to raised voices outside my room. Cam who was asleep in the chair beside me jerked awake and darted out of the room.
“Get out of my way Derek.” Oh god, no.
“All I’m saying is come back tomorrow let her sleep. She’s fucking fragile right now dude.” That was Derek’s voice of reason.
The door of my room burst open and Kyle marched in. I clenched my eyes shut and feigned sleep.