If I Tell - By Janet Gurtler Page 0,55

people who lived there.

“Hey,” Jackson said. “I didn’t mean to freak you out. It’s not what you think. I have some things to work out.”

I cringed, imagining his impending “I only like you as a friend” speech, and attempted a fake laugh. “Don’t worry.” I jumped as my cell started ringing in my backpack pocket. I’d never been so happy to get a call in my whole life.

I made a big production of answering my call, and the elevator finally arrived. We stepped inside as I said, “Hello?”

“Jasmine. Where are you? You didn’t let me know where you were headed after karaoke.” Grandma sounded panicky.

I opened my mouth to calm her, but she kept talking.

“It’s your mom, sweetie. She’s gone into labor. Hard and fast labor.”

An image of my mom pulling the baby out like she’d threatened to flashed in my head, and I made a face. “But she’s not due for a month,” I said stupidly.

“Well, apparently this baby is in a hurry. I’m sure it’s because your stubborn mother doesn’t want a baby shower. Anyway, it’s coming.”

“Is she all right? I mean, is the baby okay?” Fear stabbed me. “Where’s Mom?”

“They’re on their way to the hospital. In Pullayup. Her and Simon. I’m on my way too. I’ll pick you up. Are you at Grinds? Lacey said you probably went there after karaoke.”

I blushed but spun around and glanced at Jackson. He didn’t hide his curiosity. “No. I’m with a friend from work.”

“Does she have a car? Can she get you to the hospital?” I didn’t bother to correct the mistaken gender of my friend.

“Hold on.” I covered the mouthpiece. “Could you drop me off at the hospital instead of home?”

“Of course,” Jackson said.

I lifted the phone back to my mouth. “Yup, I can get dropped there. Where do I go? Where do I meet you?”

The elevator doors opened, and Jackson led us toward the part of the street where he’d parked his car.

“The Women’s Life Care Center. Go to the triage area and tell one of the nurses your mom was brought in and who you are.”

I nodded to the phone. “Is she going to be all right, Gram-mommy?” My old pet name for Grandma slipped out.

“I think so.” Her voice shook slightly. “The baby’s early, but they have amazing doctors and facilities so…” She made a sound like a hiccup.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “She’ll be fine.”

“I know. I know. God. Your mother never does anything according to plan.”

She hung up without saying good-bye.

“The baby?” Jackson opened the passenger door for me and held it, waiting for me to get in.

I put my guitar in the back and climbed in. “It’s early.” I really wanted the baby to be okay. I sat and lifted a nail to my mouth and started chomping it.

Jackson didn’t offer false or empty words. “I’ll get you there fast.” He looked in the backseat. “You can leave your guitar with me instead of dragging it to the hospital. I’ll get it back to you.”

I glanced back as he closed the door and went around to the driver side of the car. I wanted to take everything with me and never have to see Jackson again, but dragging the guitar around the hospital wouldn’t be appropriate under the circumstances. Jackson opened his door, jumped in, and revved the engine.

“She’s going to be okay. Don’t worry.” He sounded a little scared himself though, as he put his foot on the gas and drove me toward the hospital. We barely spoke the whole way there. I quietly worried about my mom and her baby and looked out the window, trying not to think about the kiss. The horrible, wonderful kiss that might have ruined everything with Jackson. But I didn’t even have time to think about that now.

Things were about to change again.

chapter fourteen

I found the triage area in the maternity ward and spotted Grandma slouched over in an oversized chair in the waiting room. She looked older and more tired than usual.

“A boy,” she said instead of hello. “You’ve got a baby brother.”

A surge of happiness at the news took me by surprise. “Already?” I asked.

Grandma smiled a little sadly but nodded. “He’s tiny, and they’re in with him, but he’s a fighter.”

I swallowed a lump in my throat. I think I loved him already. I hadn’t expected that. Grandma wrapped her arms around me. It had been a long time since she’d hugged me like that, but I hung on.

“Your mom’s doing pretty