“I know,” I exhaled harshly. “I’ve been going crazy at home, and Reid won’t let me do the nursery yet. So I made him drag me out here before I dismembered his body with a hacksaw.”

I leaned back against the hard plastic seat as Kennedy and Grady tutted their tongues at me, and stretched out my legs as I watched Reid playing ball with the kids on the field. Excitement swirled in my chest because I couldn’t wait to see him with our daughter.

“So,” I turned my head to look at Kennedy. “How’s it living with Lover Boy?”

Her face beamed and her giddiness rolled off her body in spades.

“I haven’t killed him yet,” she replied. “So I guess that’s a good sign.”

“You have to detach your mouth from his before you can kill him,” chuckled Grady. “I’m surprised you haven’t been escorted from the premises by campus security for public indecency.”

I thinned my lips to stop myself from laughing when Kennedy’s cheeks reddened.

“That’s rich,” said Kennedy. “You and Daniel aren’t any better.”

I raised my brows and turned my gaze to Grady. “You’re still with him?”

Grady cleared his throat, and it was his turn to blush. “He asked me to be his boyfriend.”

Kennedy and I both awwww’ed in unison and Grady swatted his hand at us. “It’s no big deal,” he said, trying for nonchalant.

“Of course it is,” I replied. “You must really like him, huh?”

Grady gave us a rare, shy smile. “I do, but I’m not sure if I can do the serious thing just yet.”

“Take your time,” advised Kennedy. “You’re in no rush for anything, but you never know, he might be the guy that flips your world on its head.”

I know all about that, I thought, staring at Reid. He was laughing at something that Dane said, and just then I felt a kick under my rib.

Yeah, baby girl, I rubbed the spot, that’s your daddy.

The rest of the afternoon passed slowly, but I was happy to spend it with Kennedy and Grady since I didn’t see them every day like I used to. I felt relaxed, and at ease, until I saw Stella glowering at me again.

Her expression was calculating, and filled with hatred so palpable it touched my skin. Why did she make me feel so uncomfortable?

My eyes followed her movements as she walked towards the stands and up the stairs. She stopped two rows behind us to gather her bags, but didn’t leave immediately. I could feel her staring at the back of my head, but tried to shake it off. I couldn’t understand why I’d been feeling so unsettled, but I found myself grasping my belly protectively anyway.

AFTER ANOTHER HOUR I suddenly had the urge to use the bathroom. I told Grady and Kennedy as much, and headed towards the tunnel where the girls locker room was situated. I took care of business, cursing the fact that my 3.3 pound baby decided to use my bladder as a pillow, and washed my hands. When I looked up the mirror I froze.

The hair on my nape stood at attention, and my skin broke out in goosebumps. And not the good kind.

“Jade.” Stella sneered. Her arms were folded, and she was dressed in her dance uniform. Something about her eyes didn’t look right – they were too wild, and filled with vengeance.

“Stella,” I greeted back. I steeled my spine, and straightened, refusing to be the slightest bit intimidated by her.

She can’t hurt me, I told myself, over and over again. But I was having a hard time believing she wouldn’t at least try. I turned around, and met her gaze.

Her eyes dropped to my stomach, and alarm bells started going off in my head.

“It should be me,” she murmured to herself.

I held my breath, and when she looked back up at me her face twisted, and she lunged.

“It should be me!” She screamed, throwing her arms out towards me. I managed to sidestep her, but not before she stuck her foot out and tripped me. I stretched my arms out, but not before I hit the floor. My stomach hit the ground, and I cried out when a sharp pain traveled up my side.

“I should be having his baby!” – Stella’s shriek startled me. “He loves me, not you!”

I cradled my stomach, struggling to breathe through the pain, and when I saw Stella coming towards me out of the corner of my eye, my need to protect my baby surpassed my fear and my panic. I rolled on to my back, and when she was close enough, I kicked my legs out. My feet connected with her stomach, hard enough to make her stumble backwards, and I took the chance to attempt an escape.

I clambered to my feet, wincing as I held my stomach, and managed to find the door. I flung it open, and hobbled into the tunnel. I felt warm fluid traveling down my legs, but I was too scared to look, afraid that I’d see blood.

Please, I begged. Please don’t take my baby.

I saw Kennedy coming up from the field, and before my knees gave out, I yelled, “HELP ME!”

Chapter 19

Reid

Dane and I started packing up the extra athletic equipment after our training session with the local high school boys. Coach Ford had decided it would be beneficial for the team to get involved with a mentoring program, and today was the first Saturday we’d tried it. So far it was a success, and I could tell our team was excited about it.

Dane clipped my shoulder, and fell into step beside me as we made our way off the field.

“You guys got plans tonight?” He asked.

I shook my head. “No, but I was going to ask if you and Kennedy wanted join us for a barbeque. It will be good for Jade to spend some time with Kennedy, she’s been going a little crazy being stuck at home while we’re at school.”

Ain’t that the truth, I mused to myself.

Dane’s mouth opened, but his reply was cut off when we heard Kennedy’s shrill scream. We looked up, and she was running towards us.

“Reid! Come quick! It’s Jade!” She yelled, clearly panicked.

My heart lodged itself in my throat, and I dropped everything in my hands. I ran after Kennedy, up towards the tunnel leading to the locker rooms, and pushed through the small crowd surrounding Jade. She was propped up against the wall, clutching her belly, with Grady at her side trying to get her to stay calm. Her head tilted up, and when she saw me her tears fell in earnest.

“What happened?” I asked, barely masking my own panic. I dropped down next to her, and brushed her hair from her face.

Jade grabbed my arm. “S-stella,” she cried. My blood froze in my veins. “S-she tri-pped m-me in the bathroom, and I f-fell onto my s-stomach.”

Fear gripped my chest, and constricted my airways, but I could see Jade was just as scared.

“Okay, baby,” I slipped my arms under her legs, and around her back, and carefully lifted her in my arms. “Let me take you to the hospital.”

“Shouldn’t you wait for an ambulance?” Asked Grady. His face was pale, but hard.

“No time,” I replied. “Find Stella.” My voice was eerily calm, despite the ruckus going on inside my head.

Grady nodded, and without preamble barged into the locker room with Kennedy hot on his heels.

“I’ll drive you,” said Dane. “Kennedy and Grady can meet us there.”

I tightened my jaw, clutching Jade to my chest, and hurried towards my Range Rover. I climbed into the backseat with Jade on my lap and tried to reassure her it would be okay. Problem was I wasn’t sure it would be and for the first time in forever, I found myself praying. I knew losing this baby wasn’t something we’d survive.

THE DRIVE TO THE hospital was a blur, and as soon as we arrived the nurses and doctors took over. They tried to get me to leave the room when they examined Jade, but after I threatened to punch one of the male nurses, they realized I wasn’t going anywhere until I knew Jade and our baby were going to be okay.

Dr. Burke, Jade’s OBGYN, was called in and did an ultrasound to check on the baby. I swear my own heart had stopped...until we heard the sweet, sweet sound of our baby girl’s heartbeat.