Intent(88)

I clasp his shoulder in my hand and squeeze, a silent, manly way of saying, “Thank you for making me pull my head out of my ass.”

He replies with a single nod of his head, and I run as fast as I can back to my truck. Justin’s words echo in my head the entire way home, and my foot turns to lead as I push harder on the gas pedal.

My family. My family is waiting for me at home.

Then something else he said hits me with the momentum of a runaway locomotive. “Your wife is worried sick…”

“Layne.”

Taking the turn into my drive on two wheels, my tires squeal loudly in protest from the pressure I put on them. But I don’t care. It pales in comparison to the pressure in my chest right now. I burst through the front door and the first face I see is hers. She’s leaning against the arm of the couch, her legs tucked underneath her, and she’s so pale. It takes a couple of seconds for her brain to register that her eyes really do see me.

“Ace.” The tears start to roll down her cheeks, one by one.

I rush to her before she moves and drop to my knees in front of her. My arms wrap around her waist, I carefully place my face against her stomach, and I just hold her close to me. She runs her fingers through my hair in deliberate affirmations of love and comfort.

“Are you okay, Layne?” I mumble into her body, unwilling to break our contact.

“I am now that I know you’re okay.”

“I’m sorry, baby. News obviously traveled faster than I anticipated. I was never in any danger. As soon as Justin got to the center, I rushed back home. What have you already heard?”

“All of it. Now. Justin just called Lily,” she replies. “At first, we only heard there was a lot of police commotion at the center. You weren’t answering your cell phone.”

“I left it in the truck when I ran into the center. The security company called on my way home from the store and I immediately called Matt. Then I guess I tossed it in the passenger seat.”

I raise my head to look at her and push up to kiss her. “I’m sorry, I should’ve called you. I planned to tell you everything when I got home. It really isn’t the kind of news that should be given over the phone. But I honestly didn’t know you were worried something had happened to me.”

“I understand what you mean, Ace. A lot has happened today, and I know there’s no way you were thinking clearly through it all. I’m really just so thankful you’re home, safe and sound.”

“Does River know anything?”

“No. There’s no reason for her to know any of this for a long time. When we decide it’s time to tell her, all she really needs to know is that her mother’s mental illness was too much for her to bear. She was in too much pain, and she had to find a way to relieve it. Until that time, River deserves to have a carefree childhood with as many happy memories as we can give her. That’ll help balance her when she has to face all the bad stuff.”

“My wife is the most incredible woman I know.” I slide my palm across her cheek, and her eyes close as she leans into my touch. “There’s something I want you to do to for me, Layne.”

“Okay,” she agrees without question.

“The stuff I got at the store is still in the truck. I’ll be right back.”

After grabbing the bags and my phone from the passenger seat, I notice all the missed calls from Layne while I sat in the reception area of the rehab center. “Your wife is worried sick…”

“Come with me, babe.” I hold out my hand to help her up from the couch. She takes it and I lead her to our bedroom then close the door behind me. When we reach the foot of the bed, I gently nudge her to sit down.

“Want to tell me what this is all about?” she asks.

“I know you haven’t been feeling well. You’ve been pretty good at faking it, though. I’ll give you that.” I wink. “Before I take you to the doctor, I thought I’d bring the doctor to you.”

She takes the smaller bag from me tentatively and peeks inside. Her face falls and she shakes her head. “There’s no use in even trying this, Ace.”

“Humor me.”

“Fine.”

She takes it into the bathroom and rejoins me when she’s finished.

“Well?” I ask impatiently.

She chuckles at my excitement. “I left it on the counter for now. It takes a few minutes to process before we’ll know. You can check it later and let me know what it says.”

“Layne?” Zoe calls from the hall, her voice thick with alarm. Layne and I quickly cross the room, and she opens the door to Zoe’s panic-stricken face.

“What is it, Zoe?”

“I think my water just broke.” She looks down at her maternity jeans first, then Layne and I follow her line of sight. “What should I do?”

Layne steps toward her and wraps her arm around Zoe’s shoulder to comfort her. “We’ll call the doctor and meet her at the hospital so you can have this baby girl. It’s time, Zoe.”

“I’ll grab your bag, Zoe. I’ll meet you two ladies at the truck. Let me tell Mom and Lily so River can stay with them tonight,” I add.

“It’s time?” Zoe asks, just now catching up to the conversation.

“Yes, it’s time,” Layne replies and guides her to her bedroom. I follow them, grab Zoe’s suitcase, and head to River’s room to tell them.