Free Back to the Top (Ross Records) (3) by Jl Paul Page B

I’m engaged to Brad.”
    “But you’re not married,” she said, taking my hand in hers. “You can break off the engagement.”
    I shook my head. “No, I can’t. You don’t understand.”
    “Well then make me,” she said as my cell phone rang.
    Freeing my hand, I got up to retrieve my phone. I frowned as Greta’s number appeared on the screen. “Hello?”
    “Iz, I’m so glad I got you,” she said, breathless. “You have to come to the hospital.”
    My heart fell. “What’s wrong? Is Jake okay?”
    “Jake is fine,” Greta said. “But Carly went into early labor. They’re trying to stop it but they can’t. Ronnie is a mess. He’s scared for Carly and the baby.”
    My knees shook as I stood there, wondering what to do. It didn’t take long to decide. “What hospital?”
    Once she told me, I ended the call and turned to Jenny.
    “What’s wrong?” she asked.
    “Ronnie’s baby is coming and it’s too early,” I said, gathering my purse. “I have to go.”
    “Okay,” she said as she followed me to the door. “I’ll make excuses for you. Just go and call me when you can.”
    Thanking her, I bolted to my car, praying for Ronnie, Carly, and that sweet, innocent baby.
    ***
    Driving like a mad woman, all I could think about was Carly in pain, worried about her baby. And Ronnie. Ronnie, the comic relief of the group, pacing, scared.
    When I reached the hospital, I was surprised to see a handful of reporters lingering in front of the main doors. Controlled Environment was hot right now, but it wasn’t as if Ronnie was royalty and his heir to the throne about to be born. What did they care?
    Deciding the reporters didn’t matter; I put my head down and weaved through them. I rode the elevator to the maternity floor, hoping that by the time I located Greta, everything would be okay.
    I found the waiting room easily enough. It was a decent-sized room but appeared smaller with all the people gathered inside, draped over the furniture. Matt and Greta sat next to each other on a small sofa, holding hands. Nick sat next to a dark-haired woman who resembled Ronnie so much that she had to be his mother. And Jake stood by a tall window, gazing out at the parking lot.
    Greta spotted me first and crossed the room to hug me. “Iz! I’m so glad you came.”
    At the mention of my name, Jake turned to give me a weak smile.
    “Any word?” I asked.
    Greta shook her head. “Ronnie is in the room with Carly. The doctor is trying to stop the contractions but they haven’t had much luck.”
    I nodded, helplessness washing over me. I dropped to a chair on the other side of Nick and sat, waiting with the rest of them. No one spoke much, just a word or two here and there, mostly about the time and what the weather was like. It was horrible.
    Finally, Jake nudged my arm and asked me to take a walk with him. Reluctantly, I rose and followed him out of the room and down the hall.
    “Where are we going?” I asked.
    He punched the elevator button and grinned. “Earlier, Nick and I found a courtyard where the employees take breaks,” he said as we got into the elevator. “I just want to have a smoke.”
    I pursed my lips, not saying a word.
    “I know,” he sighed as the doors opened and he led me to a set of glass doors. Pushing them open, he waited for me to go ahead of him and then shoved a rolled up magazine between them to keep them from closing all the way. “I know. I did quit. I just smoke once in awhile to ease the nerves.”
    I didn’t nag – I’d rather he smoke than the other thing - and pointed at the doors. “Do they lock or something? Because that’s weird.”
    “I’m not sure,” he answered as he sat on the top of a picnic table and lit a cigarette. “There’s a panel to swipe an ID card so I don’t know if you have to have an ID to get back in or what. Why take the chance?”
    “I suppose,” I said as I sat next to him.
    “This is the perfect spot to have a smoke and hide from the