Page 39 of The Doctor

KADE

ONE MONTH LATER

Throwingmyself face down on my bed, I moan. It’s been a long two days with the full moon. It seems every one of my patients has gone into labor, and I’ve barely slept in the last forty-eight hours.

Subconsciously, I grab the pillow Raine used to sleep on and bring it to my nose. It no longer smells like her. It hasn’t for weeks, but I keep hoping to get a whiff of her, only to punish myself a little bit more.

Raine won’t take my phone calls, and she doesn’t return my texts. And every time I’ve gone to her apartment, she’s not there, or at least that’s what the doorman tells me. Hell, maybe she moved to avoid me.

If only I could see her and make her listen to me, she would realize Mandy is part of my past and nothing more.

The second my eyes start to drift closed, my phone starts to ring. I groan, wanting to murder whoever’s on the other end of the line. Don’t they know I’m not on call?

“Hello,” I groan, my eyes still closed as I roll over onto my back.

“Kade?” Raine’s shaky voice has me jerking upright and pulling my phone away from my ear to make sure I’m not dreaming. “Kade, are you there?”

“I’m here,” I yawn. “What are you doing calling me at three in the morning? Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”

“No, I’m not,” she cries.

Flying out of my bed, I start to pull on the clothes I deposited earlier on the floor.

“Tell me what you need,” I pant out as I hop around trying to tie my tennis shoe while standing.

“Can you meet me at the hospital?”

“Of course, when?”

“Now,” she shrieks. “I’m in labor, it’s too early, and I’m supposed to have a c-section. What if I’m too late and this baby gets stuck inside of me?”

“Okay, you need to get to the hospital as soon as possible, so we can ensure you get your cesarean. Now, I’m on my way, or do you need me to pick you up?”

“No, no, Lexie’s bringing me. Just meet me at Cedars-Sinai,” she breathes heavily.

I keep moving through my house and pick up my keys and wallet on the way out. “You’ve got this, Raine. Breathe through it.”

“I’m scared,” she whispers.

“I know you are, but trust me, you’re going to be in good hands. I’ll be there every second to get you through this.”

“You’re not here now,” she sobs.

“I know I’m not, Rainbow, but I would be if I could. Now, go get in the car, and I’ll see you soon,” I order.

“Okay,” she squeaks out.

I start to disconnect when she calls out for me again. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry I haven’t called or come by, but—”

“You don’t need to explain yourself right now. We’ll talk later once you’re not in labor. You are sure you’re definitely in labor, right?”

“Yes, at first, I thought it was Braxton Hicks contractions that I’ve been having, but we timed them, and they’re five minutes apart.” She groans loudly. “And they’re getting stronger.”

“It’s okay. I’d come even if you weren’t in labor.” I’ll take any reason to see her.

“Thank you. Please hurry,” she cries.

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