Unfinished Ex (Calloway Brothers, #2)(100)

“This is you, Nicole. Of course we are.”

I stare into the camera. “Dr. Peterman, if you’re watching, meet me at the hospital. Oh, and Jaxon, it looks like our baby girl wants an April birthday!”

Marty nods to the cameraman. The tally light goes off, and I hear Landon Miller take over my story.

I’m escorted to the nearest chair. I cup my belly. “You couldn’t have waited until after the tornado outbreak?”

A dozen people are bustling around me, asking if it hurts or if I feel pressure down there. Xuan Le plows a path to me. “Give her space, people. This is your first baby. It may take hours. The limo is outside. Marty will ride with you in case things get dicey along the way. Kenny says traffic is light between here and Calloway Creek.” She glances at Marty. “What are you waiting for? Get her to the hospital!”

An assistant producer gives me my phone—which is understandably blowing up with texts. I wait until I’m inside the limo to call Jaxon back.

“Are you crazy?” he answers.

“I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention it’s not in good form to call a pregnant woman crazy.”

“Nicky, Jesus, were you really going to continue on air?”

“Have you seen how bad the outbreak is? They’re predicting F4s and F5s. This could be the next super outbreak. I can’t believe I’m going to miss it.”

“Who the hell cares about that when you’re in labor?”

“The people of Coffeyville, that’s who.”

“We’ll send a big donation,” he says. “Can we just focus on you now? Please tell me someone is with you.”

I put him on speaker. “Marty and I are headed back to Calloway Creek now.”

“What if you have her in the car?” His voice cracks, two octaves higher than usual.

“I’m not going to have her in the car, Jaxon. Delivery can happen as long as twenty-four hours after water breaking.”

“Yeah, without contractions. Have you had any?”

I’m silent.

“She has,” Marty says.

“I thought they were Braxton-Hicks.” I close my eyes, feeling all kinds of stupid.

“How long?” Jaxon asks. “How far apart?”

I wince and grab the door handle. Marty checks the time. “I’d say less than ten minutes.”

“Okay,” Jaxon says. “Then no need to panic.”

“You’re the only one who’s panicking,” I say when it passes. “We’ll meet you at the hospital in about forty-five minutes.”

“I’m staying on the phone with you. I’m not going to miss a second of this, Nic.”

Calista’s face appears on my phone. “I have another call. I’ll switch over and be right back.”

“Ni—”

“Hey.”

“Are you seriously in labor, Nicky?” Calista asks.

“Looks like it.”

She squeals. “I can’t believe you’re going first. Are you scared? What if you don’t make it to the hospital? Where are you? On the train? Nicky, how exciting would it be if you had the baby on the train? You’d be front page news for sure! Have you had any contractions? Oh my god, have you spoken with Jaxon? Is he freaking out?”

I laugh. My best friend and my husband are two sides of the same coin. “He’s on the other line.”

She giggles. “He must be livid that you put him on hold for me.”

“What can I say? Sometimes hoes trump bros.”

“I’m going to tell him you said that.”

“No you’re not.”

“You’re right, I’m not. Nicky, I can’t believe this is happening.”

“Me neither. I’m in a limo on the way back to Calloway Creek. I promise I’ll call you from the hospital.”

“You better.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too.” I switch over. “Jaxon?”

“Was the president calling? Or maybe God? You put me on hold!”

“Calm down, it was Calista.”

“If you tell me her water broke too, I’m going straight to the psych ward when I get to the hospital.”

I start laughing, but it quickly turns into a grimace.

“Nic? Are you having a contraction? Marty?”

“I’m on it,” Marty says. “Timer started.”

I breathe through it. They’re becoming stronger, and this one radiates all the way to my thighs.

“Four minutes twenty seconds since the last one,” Jaxon says. “They’re getting much closer.”

“Forty-five seconds long,” Marty says.

“Any update on the storms?” I ask.

Marty shoots me a scolding look. “Perhaps you could take the day off.”

“Bad weather doesn’t only happen when it’s convenient for meteorologists.”

“There are plenty of people to handle it. There’s only one thing you need to do right now.”

My other line rings. “Jaxon, my mom is calling. If I don’t take it, she’ll worry.”

“Quickly, please.”

I reassure my mother and switch back over. “She’ll meet us at the hospital.”