Page 78 of Chasing The Goal
I pulled the blanket a little higher over my belly.
“They’re putting me on bedrest,” I said into the quiet. “Modified, but… yeah.”
Darren let out a low breath. “Shit.”
Connor didn’t respond—just stared out the window like the gray skyline was going to hand him something useful.
Eliza didn’t blink. “For how long?”
“Until delivery. Probably longer.”
“Okay,” she said. Like it was the simplest thing in the world.
I stared at her. “That’s it?”
She shrugged. “You think I didn’t see this coming? You’ve been burning the candle at both ends and lighting the middle on fire for months.”
That earned a weak snort from Darren.
Connor finally turned around. “What do you need?”
I blinked. “From you?”
“From any of us.”
Jaymie was standing near the doorway now, watching all of it unfold without a single word. Just there. Solid. Present.
“I don’t know,” I said, quieter now. “I don’t know how to ask.”
“Try,” Eliza said.
“I need...” The words stuck, thick in my throat. “I need not to do this alone.”
No one flinched.
Connor just nodded. “Then you won’t.”
Darren gave a little half-smile and added, “We’re really annoying, so consider us stuck to you.”
Eliza stood, brushing her hands together like a deal had been sealed. “I’ll handle the staff schedule. You’re off the grid until you’re back on your feet. No pressure. No timeline.”
“But—”
“I said no timeline,” she repeated, and her voice was soft, but firm enough to knock any protest right out of me.
I swallowed hard and nodded.
Jaymie waited until the room cleared again—until the door clicked shut and the quiet came rushing back.
He didn’t ask for a recap. Just stepped closer, brushing my knuckles with his thumb, like he was reminding me he was still there. That he’d always be there.
“I can’t go home,” I said after a beat. “There’s too much to do and Too many things I can’t carry.”
He didn’t hesitate. “Come upstairs.”
“Jaymie…”
“My apartment is perfect. It’s already quiet. It’s two floors up. I’ll move the desk out of the guest room and turn it into yours. You’ll have your own bathroom. Your own bed. And I’ll keep you fed and watered like a very grumpy, beautiful houseplant.”
