The Heart Leads

Chapter 4

The words hit Brian like a ton of bricks, sinking deep into his chest as he spoke them. His breath was shallow, anxiety creeping in like a shadow he couldn’t shake off. “I’m not sure who I’m riding with,” he said, glancing nervously between the group. His hands instinctively went to his stomach, almost as if reassuring the baby, though he wasn’t sure if it made any difference. “But my doctor said it’s possible I could go into early labor… just wanted you all to be aware.”

A tense silence settled over the group, everyone’s eyes on him. No one spoke for a beat as they processed the weight of Brian’s words. The air around them felt heavier, like reality had shifted, and even Dom’s usually composed face seemed to flicker for just a second.

Brian shifted uneasily, not wanting to ask for any special treatment, but not wanting anyone to be caught off guard if things took a turn. He knew the risks. He knew the signs. But it didn’t make it any easier, living with that constant fear of something going wrong.

“Alright,” Dom said, his voice steady but carrying a note of concern Brian hadn’t expected. He stepped forward, locking eyes with the crew. “You’re with me, kid. We’ll take the first leg of the ride.” Dom’s tone was deliberate, making sure Brian understood he wasn’t just getting a ride—he was getting support. Safety.

Brian gave a small, thankful nod. Dom wasn’t the type to be overly affectionate with his words, but the way he said it made Brian feel like he could rely on him, like they were in this together.

Dom turned to the rest of the crew. “Vince, Leon, you two are together. Drive safe, and we’ll all stay in contact on comms. Jesse, you’re with them. You know the drill.”

For the first time in what felt like ages, Brian felt a little bit of relief. The anxiety was still there, nagging at him, but it wasn’t as suffocating as before. For once, he wasn’t being left behind or ignored. He wasn’t alone in this.

Vince, always the joker, cracked his neck with a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Don’t worry, Brian. I’ll bring your car back in one piece. Just hope I don’t break anything.” His words were light, but the seriousness in his gaze told Brian Vince understood how important the car was to him.

“Appreciate it,” Brian muttered, though he couldn’t shake the odd feeling of letting someone else drive his car. But Vince was more than capable. If anyone could return it in one piece, it was him.

Letty stepped forward, her expression unreadable, but there was concern in her eyes. “I’ll follow behind. Just make sure you’re okay. If anything happens, we’re right there.”

“Thanks, Letty,” Brian said quietly, his heart heavy with gratitude and a touch of guilt. He didn’t want to drag them all into his mess, but here they were, all in.

Mia was next to him, offering a soft smile that soothed the tightness in his chest. “We’re in this together, Brian,” she said, her voice firm in its simplicity. "I’ll stick with Letty."

Her words wrapped around him like a warm blanket, a reminder that, no matter what, he wasn’t in this alone. Mia always knew how to make him feel like maybe—just maybe—everything would turn out okay.

“Alright,” Dom said again, clapping his hands together like it was the final call. "Let’s get this done. We’ll take it easy, stay in touch, and make sure everyone’s safe."

Brian’s stomach churned again. The thought of going into labor in the middle of a drive terrified him. He could already feel the strain his body was under, the constant reminders that this pregnancy wasn’t going to be a walk in the park, but this felt different. The idea of giving birth in a moving car, in front of all these people who were doing their best to help him—he didn’t want to add more panic into the mix.