Page 70 of While You're There
Chapter twenty-nine
Rhett
Itwasalmostfourin the morning, on what was arguably the worst day of his life. How many times had he seen four a.m on the clock over the last few months? What he wouldn’t give to not be seeing it again now.
The ultrasound tech had finally made an appearance, only to discover that the machine wasn’t charged. Of course it wasn’t charged. Just when they thought they were going to get answers, when he thought she was going to get some relief… Chandler had been here for eight fucking hours without any confirmation of what was going on.
There was no urgency to anyone else’s actions. The only urgency seemed to live inside him. His anxiety crested in waves, the ripple effect set off every time someone opened Chandler’s door or they heard footsteps coming down the hallway.
Once Jake was on his way, Tori had encouraged him to come back to the room. He’d been dutifully sitting by Chandler’s side for the last two hours, alternating between holding her hand, rubbing her back, and glaring at each and every hospital employee who dared to enter the room without an update. The janitor who came by to collect the trash had run out of the room so fast he practically fell into the hallway.
He knew Jake would be arriving soon. He kept checking to make sure he hadn’t missed the text or call alerting him to the fact that his best friend was there or that his wife was about to leave.
He offered Chandler a tight smile as he squeezed her hand assuredly. “Hang in there. If the tech doesn’t come back in the next ten minutes, I’ll go find someone else. Someone higher up. That can’t have been the only machine in the whole damn hospital.”
“I’m just so tired.” She sighed, closing her eyes before scrunching her nose up in pain. “If the baby had any chance of making it, things wouldn’t be taking this long.” Her words came out barely above a whisper, the confession seeming to be as much for herself as it was for him. She kept her eyes closed, but even while it looked like she was resting, he could tell she was hurting.
“Don’t say that,” he insisted. “We don’t know that.”
“I Googled it,” she offered quietly as she opened her eyes and turned on her side to face him. She tucked her legs up into her stomach, wincing as she struggled to get comfortable. “I’ve bled way too much. I’ve been bleeding since this morning. The cramps I’m feeling aren’t normal cramps. They’re contractions. There’s just no way…” A single tear rolled down her cheek. Rhett reached out and wiped it away with his thumb before cupping her face in his hand.
“You’re strong, Chandler. You’ve been so fucking strong. I’m so sorry this is happening. Do you think it’s time to ask for pain meds?” he suggested. “I respect your decision if you don’t want to take them yet… but fuck. I can tell how much you’re hurting right now, and there’s nothing else I can do. Let me call the nurse and get you something for the pain.”
She hesitated, then nodded feebly. Her delayed response gave him pause.
“Yes for real? This has to be your decision, Chandler.” As much as he wanted her to not be in pain, he refused to be the reason she did anything she didn’t want to do. It may have been his baby, but it was her body. She needed to make the choice.
“Yes. I’ll take something now. Can you get the nurse?”
“On it.” Rhett shot to his feet and headed for the door, grateful to be in motion and to have something to do after feeling utterly helpless for hours.
As soon as he stepped into the hall, his phone buzzed in his pocket.
V: He’s here.
Rhett walked even faster to the nurse’s station and let them know Chandler was requesting something for the pain. The nurse from earlier didn’t make any comments, but he saw a flash of relief in her eyes.
He turned on his heel and ventured back to the waiting area, spotting his best friend hugging his wife at the end of the hall. He was laser-focused on the two of them as he approached. He was too far away to hear anything they were saying, but he still felt an upwelling of calm as he watched Jake give Tori the comfort she needed right now.
Almost as if he could sense his presence, Jake lifted his head and met his gaze. The other man continued to hold Tori in his arms as a look of pure contempt hit Rhett like a ton of bricks.
I know you’re pissed, bro. Give me all your loathing. I fucking deserve it all.
“Hey,” Rhett greeted him when he was in range, alerting Tori to his presence. She slowly pulled out of Jake’s arms and turned to face him.
“How is she?” she asked.
“The same really, but fading fast. She’s exhausted. She’s just in so much pain.” He looked between his wife and his best friend as he continued. “We’re still waiting on an ultrasound to confirm everything. But she finally asked for pain meds, so…” He blew out a long breath, not sure what else to even say.
“Hey, baby?” Jake asked. “Can I talk to your husband alone for a few minutes?”
Tori glanced over to meet Rhett’s gaze, checking in to confirm he was okay. He nodded to her once, trying his best to convey some semblance of calm. “I’ll go to the bathroom and grab us a few more snacks for the drive home,” she offered before reaching out to take Rhett’s hand. “Don’t leave until I get back, ’kay?”
“I wouldn’t dare,” he vowed, nodding solemnly and squeezing her hand before letting her go. She turned on her heel and headed down the opposite hall, leaving the two men to face off alone.
“Fuck, bro,” Jake opened, raking a hand through his short hair as he shook his head in disbelief. “This is insane.”
Rhett nodded, welcoming the criticism. He wanted Jake to verbally assail him. Part of him craved the pain. At least disappointment and shame hit different than the grief waiting for him down the hall. “I know. Thank you so much for coming…”
