Hearts the Last Beat (Angel Fire #6) - Ellie Masters Page 0,74

I realize what must be going through Angel’s mind.

It’s all my fault.

I planted seeds of doubt through inaction and delay. My failure to share, to explain, and to open myself fully to Angel hurt her. I feel her pain reverberating in my chest. I know exactly what’s going through her mind, and those thoughts, those feelings, should never have taken root.

I don’t even care how she knows, or how she followed me. That’s irrelevant. I should’ve never put her in the position to doubt. I should’ve never given her reason to feel like she needed to follow me.

“Shit!”

“Kaleb…” Lucy’s soft hand grips my shoulder. “Was that Angel?”

“Yes.”

“I take it from the way she peeled out of here that you haven’t told her yet?”

“I’m such a fucking idiot. I should’ve told her when I donated for Ian. I should’ve taken her with me, included her in the whole process, and told her then.”

“You definitely should have, but the past is the one thing you can’t control. You can either stand here and beat yourself up about it, or you can go after her.”

“What about you?”

“Are you really worried about me right now?” She glances down and rubs her pregnant belly. “Jacob’s packing my bag now, and we’ll show you pictures when the baby is born. You need to get in your car and go after her.”

“I’m sorry. I wanted to be there for you and Jacob.”

“Kaleb, if you don’t get in your car right now and go after her, I’m going to get Jacob to kick you in the ass. I’d do it myself, but…” Her brows pinch with pain, and her breaths deepen. “Holy shit, they’re getting stronger and closer together.”

I grab at her, lending as much support as I can while the contraction takes her breath. Jacob comes out the front door, carrying an overnight bag. His expression is two parts elation, four parts fear. I understand. I feel the same helplessness, and Lucy isn’t even my wife.

“What’s wrong?” He drops the bags and rushes over to us.

“Another contraction.” I gently give her into Jacob’s hands as Lucy pants against the pain.

“So soon?” He glances at me, then turns his attention back to his wife. Lucy grips his forearm, her knuckles turning white as she practices that breathing technique I’ve only ever seen on television. “They’re too close together. Should I call an ambulance?” Terror fills his face. Concern for his wife vibrates in his voice.

Jacob’s a mess.

My thoughts careen out of control as I try to process everything at once.

“J-just g-get in t-the c-car.” Lucy points toward their brand-new G-Wagon.

That’s my baby gift to them. I couldn’t think of anything spectacular and over the top, but that car is manly enough for Jacob, nice enough for Lucy, and over the top in safety ratings for all manner of crashes. I outfitted them with car seats as well; one for each stage their little one will reach before graduating out of car seats. And I took Jacob with me to the fire station, where the firemen showed him how to correctly install the seats.

“Kaleb, can you drive?” Jacob supports Lucy as they walk over to the passenger side of the SUV.

“Kaleb has somewhere else he needs to be.” The contraction must have passed because she’s back to speaking in full sentences.

“Huh?” Jacob’s brows pinch with confusion.

“Angel was here,” Lucy says, explaining what happened with Angel, including how she sped off.

“Shit.” Jacob opens the door and holds it while Lucy climbs into the front seat.

She leans back and buckles in. “Kaleb, get your ass in gear and go after her. We’ll be fine.” Her gaze cuts to Jacob and flickers with doubt.

I should stay. Jacob’s a great guy, but he’s young, a nervous soon-to-be dad, and I’m not sure he’s safe to drive. A car pulls up to the curb behind us, and Trevor leaps out.

“Yay! I’m not too late.” He runs up to the G-Wagon and grips Lucy’s hand. “I thought I wouldn’t make it.”

“So glad you’re here.” Lucy bends forward to give Trevor a kiss on the cheek. “We’re just leaving.”

Trevor steps back to open the back door, then looks over at me. “You coming, rock star?”

“Kaleb is not coming.” Lucy’s tone turns terse, but then I realize she’s in the grip of another contraction.

Shit, they are getting closer together.

“Why not?” Trevor looks at me, confused.

I want to go with them. In so many ways, they’re part of my family, but I can’t. I need to find Angel