Page 18 of Love is a Drum Beat
Noah sighed. “I’m her emergency contact, so they called me, but they wouldn’t tell me more than she’s at UCLA. I can’t get to L.A. until tomorrow. The flights are booked, but I’m coming. I don’t like her being there all alone, Dax. If anything happens to Jo…”
He didn’t need to finish the sentence because Dax knew how he felt. Jo was special to all of them. “I’ll go.”
“Really?”
Dax marched from the studio and crossed the house. “Yes. I don’t want her to be alone either.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re not the only one who cares about her, you know.”
“I do know that, Dax.” He sounded tired. “I’ll see you soon. Take care of our girl.”
Our girl.
He pushed out a breath. “I will.” He hung up and yanked on his shoes before grabbing his keys and practically sprinting out to his car.
It took too long to get to the hospital in L.A. traffic. He stopped in front of valet and jumped out, throwing his keys to the guy behind a podium and taking the ticket he was offered. He didn’t notice them at first, the reporters. But the closer he got to the sliding entrance doors, the louder they became.
Dax hadn’t thought to bring his hat or hide himself in any way. It wasn’t like they’d recognize him, but they still made him uncomfortable. Ducking his head to avoid making eye contact, he neared the door.
Their chatter reached his ears.
“Jo Jackson is pregnant.”
“Who is the father?”
“She fainted right in the ER.”
That last bit scared him. The doors slid open as he approached. Stepping into the main lobby, he searched for someone who could help him. A young woman sat behind a tall desk typing away on her computer. She looked up when she saw him.
“Hello, how can I help you today?”
“I’m looking for someone.” His words came out in a rush. “Can you tell me where Jo Jackson’s room is.”
She pursed her lips. “Are you family?”
“Well, no. Not exactly.”
“Then, I’m sorry, I can’t help you.”
He pushed a hand through his hair. “I’m a friend, and she needs me. Please help me out.” He wasn’t above begging.
The woman didn’t look like she believed him. “There is no Jo Jackson here.”
“But you just asked if I was family. Of course she’s here.” His face heated.
“Like I said, there is no Jo Jackson on the premises. You can tell your friends outside that they can keep sending people in, but the answer will always be the same.”
It was hopeless. While Jo rested in a hospital bed alone, he was stuck out in this crowded lobby. He’d never been more thankful not to be recognized, but also wished he had. Maybe they’d let him through if he said he was Dax Nelson.
No, that was ridiculous. He still wouldn’t be able to see Jo, and the paparazzi would never leave him alone.
He dropped into a chair and removed his glasses to clean them on his shirt. Images of a sickly Jo filled his mind. What if something happened to her? What about the baby? He needed answers.
He looked at the swinging doors that led the way into the main hospital. OB was on the third floor. He knew that because he had an in. If she was working.
His thumb tapped a name on his phone, and he brought it to his ear.
