Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 42745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
I stop her, putting my hands on her shoulders. “Nope. We’re going together. Take your time, honey.”
She blinks up at me, and even though she’s happy, there’s no hiding the pain in her eyes.
“Okay, I’ll be fast.”
CHAPTER 20
ARIA
Penn must see something on my face because he stops beside me. “Aria.”
I shake my head before he can say anything else. “I’m okay.”
He doesn’t look like he believes me.
“I promise,” I tell him. “I’m happy for them.”
“I know you are.”
His voice is gentle, and somehow that makes the ache worse.
He reaches for my hand, and I let him take it.
We don’t talk much on the way to the hospital. Penn keeps one hand on the wheel and one hand wrapped around mine like he’s not willing to let go.
He was about to tell me what he’s been hiding, and I know it’s going to be even harder for him now that Skyler is having her baby. We both have so many emotions about this, and we’re both holding them inside for the time being.
When we get to the hospital, Penn parks and comes around to my side before I can open the door. He takes my hand again as we walk inside. The maternity lobby is easy to spot because the whole Brody family is already there.
Logan is pacing near the windows with Bree sitting in a chair, her hand resting on her still flat stomach. Miller has Lindsey tucked against his side, and Eli is asleep in his arms. Ozzy is standing off to the side, arms crossed over his chest, staring at the floor. His cowboy hat is pulled low, but I can still see his face.
Gran and Pops, Penn’s parents, are there too, sitting close together. His mother has tissues in her hand already, and his father looks nervous enough to pass out.
“Any news?” Penn asks as soon as we reach them.
Logan shakes his head. “Not yet. Zach texted ten minutes ago. He said she’s doing good.”
“Doing good?” Bree asks. “That’s all he said?”
Miller looks at her. “He also said if anyone asks to come back there before they’re ready, he’ll have security remove us.”
Lindsey smiles. “That sounds like Zach.”
“It sounds like Skyler too,” I say. “She probably told him to say it.”
Everyone laughs.
Nervous energy fills the room. Logan paces. Miller checks his phone. Lindsey keeps asking if anyone needs coffee. Bree tells her to sit down and then immediately stands up herself. The soon-to-be grandparents whisper to each other. Penn sits down beside me and takes my hand again.
Ozzy stays by the wall by himself.
I lean closer to Penn. “Is Ozzy okay?”
Penn looks at his brother, and his jaw tightens. “He will be.”
That’s not really an answer, but I think I understand. I’ve thought about how this birth affects me and Penn, but I haven’t considered what it’s doing to Ozzy. I’m sure he and Valerie wanted to have children.
Before I can say anything else, the lobby doors slide open, and Guy comes rushing in wearing a baseball cap, athletic pants, and a hoodie that looks like he threw it on without thinking.
“I’m here,” he says, slightly out of breath. “Tell me I didn’t miss it.”
Logan turns. “Where were you?”
“Airport.” Guy drags a hand over his face. “I was about to get on a plane when I got Miller’s text. I almost knocked over a guy in first class trying to get off.”
Miller lifts an eyebrow. “You flew commercial?”
Guy points at him. “Not the time.”
Bree laughs.
Guy looks around and goes to his mom and dad, giving them each a hug before turning back to the room. “Where is Skyler?”
“Zach is with her, and we’ve all been warned to stay put until we’re asked to come back,” Penn says.
Guy blows out a breath. “Okay.”
He drops into the chair beside me and lets out a big breath. “Hey, Aria.”
“Hey. Glad you made it.”
“Me too.” He leans back and looks at the ceiling. “Skyler would’ve killed me if I missed this.”
“She would have forgiven you,” I tell him.
He snorts. “You don’t know my sister.”
“I know her pretty well.”
“Then you know I’m right.”
I smile because he is.
Penn’s hand tightens around mine, and I glance at him. He’s watching Guy with a small smile, but there’s still a heaviness in his eyes. I squeeze his hand, and his thumb brushes over mine.
For a while, we wait.
A nurse comes out once, and everyone practically jumps to their feet, but she’s there for another family. Logan mutters something under his breath, and Bree tells him to sit down before he wears a hole in the floor.
Ozzy still doesn’t sit.
Guy notices too. “You good, Oz?”
Ozzy looks up. “Fine.”
Guy gives me a look like, See?
I press my lips together.
A few minutes later, Guy’s phone starts buzzing.
He pulls it out and looks at the screen, and his face instantly fills with anger.