Chapter 23
Briggs
If Colsen weren’t religious about locking my meds away and changing their hiding spot every damn day, I would’ve been downing it like candy this past week.
I’ve spent the majority of my time squaring shit away and making arrangements that were long overdue, but every night, without fail, I’ve made my way back to Andi.
Creepy or not, it eases my anxious mind to watch her sleep so peacefully.
I find it comforting that someone who’s been through the hell she has is capable of blocking out their worries, even temporarily.
The fact that she doesn’t have to be medicated to close her eyes at night is a fucking miracle. One I’m immensely envious of.
But the same can’t be said for the endless hours she spends awake, constantly checking her phone for an update.
Seth has barely made contact since retrieving Hudson last week, and his one-word responses to Andi are grating against my fucking nerves.
Watching her pace the floors from the moment the sun rises until it sets has me contemplating the lengths I’d go to in order to keep her happy.
It’s insulting that she’s given so much of herself to aiding Seth whenever he needs it, helping Hudson repair the cracks his fragile mind is still debilitated by, but the second she asks for so much as a quick rundown of his day, Seth clams up and can’t be bothered to speak in full sentences.
Shamelessly, I tried to pry his address out of Raiden, but Detective Hard Ass wouldn’t budge.
It seems he hasn’t had the same issues when it comes to speaking with Seth, and he continues to reassure Andi that everything is fine, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Fine is not the word I’d use to describe his erratic behavior.
And if I, of all people, can recognize that, then surely Raiden isn’t the dumbass he’s making himself out to be.
I get that Seth might be embarrassed about the way he acted, but that doesn’t give him a free pass to be a dick to the one person who’s constantly been there since his life fell apart.
And believe me, I’m aware of how hypocritical my thoughts are.
I take the front steps two at a time, my excitement and nerves coalescing to form a maelstrom of emotions.
I’ve been counting down the days since we made this appointment last week, eager to know if Andi’s pregnancy is progressing as it should be.
My background puts me in an odd position, giving me the knowledge I’d need to anticipate the many issues that could arise, while simultaneously reminding me of the ones that can’t be predicted or treated, especially since she’s lacked any prenatal care.
When I push the door open, I find her wearing a hole in the floor, her fingers flying across the screen of her phone.
“Angel,” I sigh in frustration, my pulse kicking up a notch. “I thought we agreed you’d take it easy this morning so you didn’t stress yourself out before having to get your blood pressure checked?”
“No, you merely suggested it, and I made a noncommittal sound that you took as my acquiescence. It’s not my fault you made assumptions.
” She doesn’t bother to look up, just politely puts me in my place while going about her business.
Taking advantage of how distracted she is, I pluck the phone from her hand and hold it high above her head.
“Briggs,” she warns, her voice dropping a decibel. Since laughing at her sad attempt to sound stern wouldn’t be in my best interest, I switch tactics and address the real elephant in the room.
“Are you ready? We need to get there early so you have time to fill out the paperwork.” Her shoulders droop slightly, and while the minuscule movement wouldn’t be noticeable to others, I pride myself on being fine-tuned to all things Andi.
“No,” she answers quietly, averting her gaze.
“What has you so scared, Angel?” Nothing she says could convince me otherwise. She’s terrified about going to this appointment, and I want to know why.
“I’m just preoccupied, and the timing feels wrong because I know I’m not in the right headspace,” Andi confesses, the tremble in her voice making me want to hunt Seth down, even though I’m certain any confrontation between the two of us would only result in earning myself a lengthy hospital stay.
“I wish time were on our side, but you can’t put this off any longer.” I keep my tone even, trying not to upset her even more. I don’t want her to feel like she’s being forced to do this, but I’m afraid if it were left in Andi’s hands, she’d keep finding excuses to procrastinate.
“I know,” she huffs, stomping past me to get to the door.
“Let’s go then. I want to get this over with.
” I have no idea why it bothers me that she’s so detached from this baby, but I push down my need to get to the bottom of her avoidance and pocket the phone I have no intention of giving back until we’re finished.
When I point to the black SUV parked along the sidewalk, Andi gapes at me like I’ve lost my ever-loving mind.
I have no idea how to break it to her that it’s been gone, so that gobsmacked look she’s sporting is all but useless where I’m concerned.
“Did you seriously rent a car just to take me to the doctor?” Her disbelief is laughable, but I welcome the questions I’ve put inside her pretty head.
“No, that would be crazy,” I deadpan, my lips twitching with a poorly repressed smile as I watch her visibly relax.
Holding the passenger door open, I patiently wait for her to get situated, then add, “I bought a car. Why would I waste money renting one when we’re going to be making monthly trips to your doctor’s office across town?
That’d be silly, Angel.” I quickly close the door, taking my time as I walk around the back of the vehicle, doing a cursory check of absolutely nothing since it’s fresh off the showroom floor.
When I finally slide into the driver’s seat, I’m expecting a full-out war to be raging behind those intense eyes of hers, but she’s eerily calm. Ten minutes later, she finally speaks.
“Briggs,” Andi drawls, the casualness of her tone making it seem like we’re discussing something as mundane as the weather. “At what point did you lose all sense of reason and dive straight into the crazy pool?” I can’t help but cackle at her assessment.
“About two years ago. But don’t worry, I’ve gotten used to operating without all my faculties.
” The grin I flash her is bordering on manic, but just as she always does, Andi takes my specific brand of derangement in stride.
Most women wouldn’t trust me to drive them around the block, yet here she is, completely at ease and confident that I’d never do anything to harm a hair on her head.
“You can’t be serious. There are certain things you don’t do without putting the proper amount of thought into it first. Buying a car is at the top of that list, Briggs!”
Ah, there’s that hysteria I’ve been anticipating.
“Who said I didn’t think about it?” I retort, raising my eyebrow in challenge at her very wrong assumption.
“I spent three days visiting multiple dealerships before narrowing down my options. I then went home, or back to your place, and researched their safety ratings. Only after all of that did I commit to purchasing this top-of-the-line vehicle, so you’re welcome, although I’m doubtful you’ll be offering up a thank you anytime soon.
” My smartass remark damn sure won’t be securing me any favor with Andi.
In fact, I think insinuating I did this specifically for her is causing her head to implode.
Luckily for me, we arrive at her doctor’s office in the nick of time, saving me from the wrath of a pregnant woman who’s clearly considering the repercussions of maiming me.
“Well, would you look at that, we’re here!” I quickly hop out, hoping to avoid any more conflict. Despite the daggers Andi’s shooting in my direction, I’m still a gentleman, so I walk to her side and open the door.
A chime alerts the office staff to our arrival, the familiar scent of antiseptic making my jaw clench.
Like a rogue wave I wasn’t prepared for, memories assault me out of nowhere.
I should’ve known this would happen, but it’s been so long since I’ve set foot inside a formal clinic.
It immediately takes me back to the years I spent pouring my blood, sweat, and tears into becoming a doctor.
What a fucking waste.
“Do you have an appointment, Miss?” The receptionist questions, her voice yanking me back to the present and reminding me of why we’re here. When Andi hesitates, I take the lead and answer on her behalf.
“Yes, this is Andilyn Adams. We’re scheduled with Dr. Baker.” If the woman finds it odd that I’m the one relaying the information, she doesn’t make it obvious.
“Great! If you can, please fill this out while you’re waiting and we’ll get you called back as quickly as possible.
” She hands me a clipboard and pen, then sends us on our way.
There’s no one else in the waiting room, so I take the first seat I come across.
Andi sits beside me a moment later, her knee bouncing nervously.
“How tall are you?”
“Five-six.” Her flat response steals my attention, so I take a second to fully assess how she’s doing. Her face is pale, and those eyes I love are darting around the room, growing more and more panicked with every pregnancy poster they land on.
“Angel,” I call out quietly, using my free hand to cup her cheek.
Slowly, she turns to look at me, her fear slithering its way inside of me and fisting my heart.
“You’re okay. I promise nothing is going to happen without your consent.
I’ll be with you every step of the way, unless you want me to wait out here.
And in that case, all you have to do is yell my name, and I’ll come running. ”