Officially Over It - Lani Lynn Vale Page 0,18

instead of floating like it was supposed to, it sank,” I explained.

“Oh,” Malachi said. “I have a friend that dredges rivers for the shit that people drop while floating. You wouldn’t imagine all the shit people find. Phones. Wallets. Keys…”

Wedding rings that cost a fortune.

“That’s why I bought a waterproof floating bag,” Reggie sighed. “Shit.”

I looked at her with a wink. “It’ll be okay.”

She gave me a look that clearly said she didn’t think it would.

But I couldn’t very well argue with her there in front of all of these people. Then more of my buddies would know that we were married. And seeing as that’d been her one condition that I follow, I couldn’t very well go announcing it to all of her or my friends, even though technically, I already did.

“Get back up in the tube,” I gestured to the tube with my chin. “I’ll help you.”

Louis floated away back to his tube and I held Reggie’s still for her.

“This was really hard the first time,” she admitted. “Can you give me a boost?”

I hooked my arm around the tube and nodded at her in an ‘okay go’ kind of way.

She went, and I boosted her up by her ass.

My fingers curled around the inside of her thigh, and I swear that I heard her moan as I pushed her into the tube.

She flopped and flipped, and I held on to make sure that she didn’t fall right back out. Which only ended up with me having my hand in her crotch—or what it appeared like—while she came to a stop.

When she was through flopping around I let her go—reluctantly—and she smiled at me in thanks.

I nodded once and went back to my tube.

Once I was back in, Sammy handed me his beer, but all the while he watched me with a frown.

“What?” I asked.

“What was that back there?” he asked curiously.

I shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean.”

I knew exactly what he meant.

I was treating Reggie like she was mine, and for my own sanity I had to freakin’ stop.

Chapter 8

Better grab a dumbrella. It’s really stupid out there today.

-Text from Reggie to Nathan

Reggie

“What’s going on?” I asked quietly.

“Baby Stanley had a turn for the worse through the night,” my charge nurse, Peyton, said as she read off the paperwork above Eerie’s child’s bed. “All hands on deck today, girl. We don’t care if Eerie’s a dumbass. We’re going to need you today.”

I walked over to the baby’s bedside and looked at him.

For a twenty-nine weeker, he was big. He looked like one hell of a fighter.

After one last glance at the little boy to make sure everything was okay, I went about my work.

Sierra floated in about an hour later looking frazzled.

“What’s wrong?” I asked curiously.

She pointed to her stomach. “I had a doctor appointment.”

It was her eyes gleaming that gave it away. She was pregnant. The turkey basting had worked.

“Congrats, darlin’,” I said, wrapping my arms around her and squeezing her tight.

Sierra returned the gesture and stepped away, her eyes taking everything in.

“Okay, where am I needed?” she asked.

I went about telling her everything that happened, ending with Baby Stanley.

“They think he might have an infection, but we’re not sure just yet. His temp is slightly elevated, and we need to keep a close watch on his jaundice levels.” I spouted off the information and looked at her. “I have been informed that it’s all hands on deck, so I don’t have to keep my distance today. If you need anything, holler.”

Sierra nodded and reached for a pair of gloves that were on the pillar beside her head.

Just as she did, Baby Stanley’s stats started to drop, and I rushed over there while pulling on my own new set of gloves.

Just as I did, the doors to the NICU whooshed open, spitting out Eerie who rushed to our sides.

I started to move everything from around the baby—the blankets that held him propped up to one side so that he wouldn’t be lying in one spot all the time—and was just about to move the baby onto his back when Eerie shoved me aside.

“Don’t touch my kid!”

This would be the very first time that I would not feel bad about checking a mother to get her out of my way.

“Move, or I’ll move you.” I shoved her right back, pushing her skinny ass out of my way.

Eerie went to retaliate but Sierra was there, pushing her back as well.

“Listen, ma’am,” Sierra said, not nicely, but definitely