The Billionaire's Jackpot: Betting on You Series: Book Four (14 page)

That realization felt like a punch to the gut. It wasn’t what she was about to say that concerned him. It was his reaction to it. He knew exactly what advice he would’ve given his friends at a time like this.
Take a risk, open up, tell her how you feel, or you will lose her.
That was what he would say was best for them. But he knew what the outcome was going to be—those women loved them, it really wasn’t a risk at all for them. He and Katherine were a different story. Although he didn’t come from a broken home, he knew firsthand what an unhappy home did to a family. He didn’t really have anything to offer her. Nothing of true value. What was he really? Just a gambling man who played the stock market. Drew was an endless risk-taker and there wasn’t anything he was afraid of until now.
Breaking her heart.
It was inevitable. If it wasn’t now, it would be later when she realized how shallow he was. When she realized the path he traveled was all about him. Katherine was so different from that. Her entire life was about helping others. His entire life was about helping himself. He had no right to keep her. None whatsoever.

He prepared himself for her words. “I’m leaving.” But they didn’t come. She only sat quietly watching him. Was the turmoil he was going through so obvious?
Where’s my poker face when I need it?

Her voice barely whispered, “Drew, I need to talk to you.”

That I know.
She looked tortured, struggling for the words. He couldn’t watch her go through this any longer. He promised to take care of her.
Suck it up and just say it for her.

“I know what’s troubling you. I agree. This has been nice, really nice, but it’s not like being home. I can have the jet ready to take you back as soon as you’re ready to leave.”

He couldn’t look at her. Getting up, he walked to the rooftop. When he opened the door, Blossom was there. Normally she wanted to stay outside, but tonight she brushed past him quickly and slid inside the house before he could shut the door again.
Yeah I get it, girl. You’re leaving too.
Drew pulled his phone from his pocket and informed the pilot to ready the plane to leave first thing in the morning. She would need to do this trip alone. It wasn’t the gentlemanly thing to do, but being alone with her on the plane and not touching her was going to be more than he could bear. At that moment, he felt tense, filled with anger. Not at her, but at himself for getting into this situation. Her leaving now was a good thing. The longer she stayed the more awkward it was going to be for both of them.

Settling himself on the lounge, he decided this was probably the best place to sleep tonight, not trusting himself to enter the house and claim her, as if she was his.
Make a clean break. There was no claiming to be had.

His phone vibrated. Whatever problem there was, he wasn’t in the mood for hearing it. Before hitting ignore he checked the caller ID.
Trent?
Maybe Elaine had told him what Katherine was about to do and he was calling to rub it in. That was the last thing he needed right now. It went off again.
What the fuck? I’m not in a good mood so this had better be damn important.

“What’s up?” he said, his tone harsh.

“Is KJ with you?” Trent asked.

Great. And it starts.
“She’s still here.” Drew didn’t bother to cover the anger in his voice. He would hide it from her, but his friends weren’t going to be so lucky.

“Great. Elaine needs to see her. Can you guys come over?”

“Now?”

“Yes, damn it. Now!” That was when Drew heard what sounded like panic in his friend’s voice.

“Is everything okay, Trent?” he asked sincerely.

“She said she feels funny. It started earlier at dinner. I wanted her to go to the hospital but she refused. This woman is more stubborn than I am. Get KJ over here to talk some sense in her.”

“We’re on our way.” Dashing back into the penthouse, he found her in the bedroom. She was folding more items and putting them into her half-packed suitcase. Blossom sat calmly by her feet but rose to attention when he entered. She knew something was wrong.

“Leave it for now,” he said firmly.

She turned in surprise, cheeks wet with tears. What was she crying about? This is what she wanted. She should be happy he took the bullet for her, and she didn’t have to go through a list of excuses. If it wasn’t for Elaine being in some type of distress right now he might even have told her so.

“We’ve got to go to Trent’s house right away. Elaine’s not feeling well.”

The look on her faced changed from utter sadness to overwhelming concern. Grabbing her purse she asked, “Is it the baby?”

“You know as much as I do right now,” he said as they entered the elevator.

The drive to Trent and Elaine’s was filled with an uncomfortable silence. Their issue needed to be put on hold. Once everything was okay with Elaine, maybe they could try talking again.
If there was time before she left.

“I’m glad you’re
here. She’s lying down in the bedroom,” Trent said when he opened the door.

She followed him, not wanting to ask too many questions as his anxiety level seemed through the roof. Once she examined the patient she’d hopefully ease his mind.

Elaine was rubbing her belly again and moaning.
Oh boy.
Going directly to her side, she said, “Breathe. Like this.” She took two short breaths, followed by one long one. Elaine took hold of her hand and did as instructed.

“What’s the matter with her?” Trent’s deep voice demanded from behind.

KJ ignored him, focusing solely on Elaine. When the pain passed, and Elaine relaxed, she did a basic exam, running her hands over Elaine’s stomach. Her guess was right. The baby had dropped. Taking her pulse again, she didn’t find any abnormal distress.
That’s a good thing.
What she didn’t like was only a few minutes later it started all over again.

“Okay Elaine, squeeze my hand and think of someplace wonderful, beautiful. And breathe like I showed you.” The fear in Elaine’s eyes subsided as KJ coached her through the contraction. “That’s right. You’ve got it.”

The contractions were strong and frequent. Looking at the bed, she noticed the sheets were wet.
This was not good.

Leaving her for only a moment, KJ went to Trent and softly said, “Call an ambulance. She’s in labor. I need you to tell them her water broke and contractions are two minutes apart.”

Then turning to Drew she said, “I need you to get me some rubbing alcohol and clean towels.”

“Trent, I need to check to see how far along she is, so can you give us some privacy for a few minutes?”
This I know. Relationships not so much, but trauma nursing, I know.
She was in charge at the moment, and by the tone of her voice, both Trent and Drew realized that too.

Trent went and kissed Elaine on the forehead and said, “I’ll be right outside.”

With a weak smile she waved him away and turned to KJ. “I’m glad you’re here.”

And I wish you were in a hospital.
“Me too. Okay, roll over onto your back so I can check and see how many centimeters you are dilated.” Before she could, another contraction hit, causing her to cry out. The bedroom door flew open, and Trent was by Elaine’s side holding her hand, coaching her as she had done earlier.

While Trent took care of Elaine, KJ examined her.
Oh shit! It’s time. Drew, where the hell are those towels?
The baby’s head was about to crown. “Drew,” she called out. He came immediately and stopped dead in his tracks as he saw Elaine on her back and KJ kneeling at the foot of the bed. “Did you find it?”

“Right here.” He came over and gave her the bottle. She opened it, pouring liquid on both hands, and spilling it everywhere. “What else can I do?”

“Go find some scissors and do the same.”

As an overseas trauma nurse she always had to think fast on her feet, so this was nothing new, however, most of her patients had been soldiers. Thankfully she’d delivered a few babies in some rural areas that didn’t have a hospital nearby. That didn’t mean each time didn’t come with a risk and its share of tragedy. When things went bad, they quickly went really bad.
Not today.
She closed her eyes for a moment, focusing only on Elaine and the baby.
Please not today.
If anything went wrong, both mother and child would be in jeopardy, or worse.

Drew had arrived with everything she’d requested. As though he sensed her thoughts, he touched her shoulder and said, “I’m right here. I’m not leaving you.” He pulled up a chair and sat across the room, close enough to be there for KJ, yet far enough to give Elaine her privacy.
He was a good man.
She was overwhelmed with emotions but there was no time to express anything to him. There was a baby coming, and this delivery was all on her.

The next ten minutes were filled with coaching and providing directions on when to push. The final push delivered what everyone was waiting for—a beautiful baby boy with a mass of dark hair, just like his mother’s. KJ clamped and cut the cord, wrapped the baby in a towel after cleaning him off slightly, and checked his breathing and heart rate. It wasn’t time to relax just yet.
Come on, baby.
With the baby on his stomach, she rubbed his back, and before long the room was filled with the high-pitched wail of a healthy set of lungs. KJ hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath until her long exhale.
Thank God.
Grabbing another clean towel, she bundled him up and placed him in Trent’s waiting hands.

Just then, the EMTs walked into the room. KJ stepped out of the way, letting them take over. Now standing by Drew, all she could think was how amazing it was, looking at the new family. Trent, whose look could intimidate anyone, was now gazing at his son with the most loving, tender eyes. Elaine’s eyes filled with joyful tears. It might not have been an ideal way to come into this world, but the little bundle of joy was the center of a room filled with love.
Beautiful.
She was happy to have been here to help bring it together.
I do have a purpose. I love nursing, not only in the Marines; that can be my focus, my drive.

Leaving the room, she went to find the closest washroom. The floodgates of emotions opened as soon as she closed the door. Everything from the moment Drew told her to leave, to bringing a new life into this world. Her heart felt like it was going to rip into pieces. If there was a hole she could crawl into and hide, maybe it would be easier, but she knew she would eventually need to leave this room and face Drew.
Why do I have to care so much? Why must I endure more pain?

There was a knock on the door. Wiping the tears away she opened it slowly. Drew stood there. “Trent, Elaine, and the baby are on the way to the hospital.”

Sniffling, she said, “Thanks.”

His arms came around her so quickly she didn’t have any time to protest. “You never cease to amaze me. I don’t know what we would’ve done without you.”

Trying not to take his actions as anything more than gratefulness, she answered dryly, “I’m sure it would’ve worked out.”
Thankfully we don’t have to worry about it.
“If you take me back to your place, I can finish packing.”

She felt his muscles tense. Then, as quickly as he’d embraced her, he let her go. “Your work here is done. I guess you’re right, it’s time to go.” His voice was flat.

How could he turn his warmth on and off so easily? At his place, he’d told her to pack up and get out, then not two hours later, stood by her side while she delivered the baby, saying he wouldn’t leave her.
Do you even know what you want, Drew? Because I can’t seem to figure it out.

Instead of a quiet ride back to the penthouse Drew was on the phone with Ross and Jon, giving updates on the baby’s birth. KJ didn’t want to eavesdrop, but the conversation was loud enough for her to hear, even though he had the phone on his opposite ear. She watched Drew’s lips press firmly together as his friends commented about her. Ross said, “She’s a keeper, don’t blow it, buddy.” Then Jon added, “Only a fool would let someone like her go.”
Only a fool? Drew wasn’t a fool, he just didn’t want me.

When he disconnected the call, his foul mood became worse.
So much for taking your friends’ advice.
She wanted to be angry with him but couldn’t. You couldn’t make someone feel something they didn’t. It wasn’t his fault she’d fallen in love with him no more than it was hers. It was what it was. Crying about it wouldn’t change anything.

Funny, seven years ago there had been a guy who’d seemed to care more for her than she had for him. Although they’d been great friends, and she’d loved him, they were never meant to be lovers.
Where did the time go?
It was a good lesson then not to settle for anything less than true love. She didn’t regret the choice she’d made to stay in the Marine Corp; she could only hope she wouldn’t regret her decision now not to force the issue with Drew. It was what he wanted.
What’s that saying? If you love something set it free?
Looking out the window but not able to focus on anything, she had only one thought.
Stupid saying if you ask me. Maybe I should grab the bull by the horns and see how this rides out.

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