Page 73 of Love is a Drum Beat
He grabbed a towel the studio always made sure he had plenty of. The booth was hot, and Dax played piano with his entire body.
So, he sweat. A lot.
Rubbing the towel over his face, he held out his hand. Marco gave him his phone, and he searched for any missed calls from Jo or Ben. He contemplated calling them to check in, but he knew Jo would laugh in his face.
“Why has Noah called me three times?” His brow creased. “And Melanie called twice.”
Marco shrugged. “Maybe something happened?”
The first thought that came to mind sent pain searing through him. Stella. Had something happened to Stella?
He dropped onto the couch and called Noah. It rang three times before Noah picked up.
“About time you rang me back, mate.”
Dax leaned forward. “Is Stella okay? Melanie?”
“Yes, they’re both fine.” An announcer’s voice came through the phone, calling for boarding.
“Are you getting onto a plane?”
“Yes, I don’t have much time. Apparently, Jo told Ben she didn’t want to interrupt you in the studio, but I don’t care about all of that. You need to be there.”
“Be where?” Panic clawed through his chest.
“The hospital. Dax, Jo is in labor.”
A string of curses flew from his lips. “How long?”
“I don’t know. We’ll be there late tonight. We scored a non-stop flight. Ben is in the waiting room on the labor and delivery floor.”
“And Drew?”
“He’s on his way too and should be there in a couple hours. Again, not at Jo’s request. She seems to think she’s doing this on her own. But we’ll all be there.”
“Thanks for not listening to her.”
“Just don’t let her be alone right now, okay?” Before he met Stella and fell for Melanie, the best thing about the scandalous Noah Clarke had always been how much he loved Jo.
But he wasn’t the only one. Saying goodbye, he hung up. “Marco, I need to leave.” He stood and started shoving sheet music into his bag.
“Is something wrong?”
That panic he’d felt before… it never left. This day scared him, even though he knew it would come. What if she had birthing complications because of the preeclampsia? “Jo’s in labor.”
“Jo Jackson? Dax, most friends go to the hospital after the baby is born, not during the birth.”
“I’m not most friends.”
“Why?”
Dax swung the bag over his shoulder. “Because I’m in love with her.” He’d fought it when she needed a friend, when being seen with her was one step closer to his anonymity disappearing.
Now, none of that mattered. He pictured her in a hospital room surrounded by nurses she didn’t know. She needed him.
“Crap, I don’t have my car.” His bag slid from his shoulder, dumping some of its contents.
Marco bent to help him. “Calm down, Dax.”
