Page 61 of Merritt and Her Childhood Crush
The argument stops, and we all fall silent as we watch Hunter and wait.
“I’ll keep trying to call him,” Hunter says. “You don’t worry about that. No—it’s fine. And I’ll come to the hospital right now.”
Hospital?Carol gasps and reaches out and grabs her husband’s hand. Cold dread pools in my stomach, and I reach up to rub my arms.
“I’m on my way, okay?” Hunter is already pushing back from the table. “You’re going to be fine, Cass.”
I knew it was probably Cassidy on the phone. But hearing Hunter call herCasshits me all wrong. All the camaraderie from moments ago has vanished. I suddenly feel like the third wheel.
No—like a spare tire jammed into the trunk.
Hunter hangs up his phone and drags a hand through his hair. His eyes land briefly on me, then slide away. “Cassidy is in labor,” he says to his parents.
“But she’s still six weeks out,” Carol says. “It’s too early for her to be in labor.”
“They’re trying to stop labor, I think, but Adam is in surgery, and Izzy’s with her. I’m going to pick her up.”
“Will you bring her back to your place?” Carol’s shrewd gaze finds me, and she pats my hand. “We could take Isabelle if you want to finish your date?”
Hunter shifts his weight, obviously eager to leave. “That’s okay. Cass asked me to stay until Adam can be there.”
Is this … normal?
I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love how thoughtful Hunter is. But when it comes to his ex-wife? My parents’ divorce was so ugly, they haven’t seen each other since. They talk through lawyers and through lawyersalone. For Hunter to be with Cassidy at the hospital while she’s in labor feels weirdly intimate.
“You’re on a date,” his mother says sharply.
I wasn’t embarrassed by anything she said tonight, even though she clearly doesn’t know the meaning of the phrasepersonal boundaries. But now—I feel tiny and humiliated.
You know it’s a great date when your date’s mom has to remind him he’s on a date at all.
“Carol,” Hunter’s dad says.
Hunter walks to me and presses a quick kiss to my temple. “I’m so sorry to leave.”
I shake my head quickly. “It’s family. Of course you have to go.”
“Yes, but you don’t have to stay,” his mother insists again. This sounds like an old argument, one that’s been had again and again.
“I’ll call you,” Hunter says to me.
I nod. Try to smile. Fail.
But he’s already gone, leaving me with his parents, a VERY awkward silence, and the check.
FOURTEEN
Hunter
“Let’s see,”the woman behind the desk in the ER says. “If she’s in labor, she should be in labor and delivery.”
“But she’s early. They’re trying to stop labor. Would that make a difference?”
I’m doing my level best not to snap at the young receptionist who can’t seem to find any trace of Cassidy at the hospital. It likely isn’t her fault. It's definitely not her fault my date with Merritt got cut short.
“Ah! Here we are. Room 417.”
Finally. I charge through the doors once she opens them, doing my level best not to hyperventilate. I hate hospitals. I’d trade most things I own if it meant never setting foot in one again. I don’t even like it when medical shows come on TV. It’s not that I’m afraid of doctors or needles or blood. I’ve done my fair share of helping wounded animals, and I’m not squeamish.
