This Can't Be Real

Chapter 11

"This is all your fault."

"My fault? How is this my fault?"

"She wouldn't have overreacted if you had been there and not been such an ass over the argument you two had."

"She wouldn't have wanted me there anyway, so it doesn't matter."

"How do you know? She may have but you didn't ask or even offer."

"I shouldn't need to ask to be at things like hospital appointments where my wife is concerned."

"Exactly. So you should have been there instead of me."

"Jess, we made a deal."

"Yeah, which I have now reconsidered. If she's got doctors appointments or any other appointments to attend, you can be the one to go with her."

The conversation between Jess and Joe is faint, but I can picture it clearly. Jess is probably the one who's sitting by the bed, trying her hardest to not seem so worked up about me fainting in the doctors. She'll be putting on a brave face but I know her better than that. Inside, she's freaking out.

Joe on the other hand, he'll be either standing at the foot of the bed or by the door. His arms will be either folded over his chest or his hands will be in his jeans pockets. Either way, he'll be here.

I can sense him before I see him. It's been that way for a while now. I don't know why, but it makes me pay attention to my surroundings. I'm more aware of where I am and what I'm doing when he's near. It's like I don't want to do something that will embarrass him because of who he is.

It shouldn't be that way but it is.

In all honesty, I like it. I feel safe knowing he's near.

"You're losing your touch, Jess." Joe scoffs.

"I don't have a touch to lose, Joe. Never have, never will."

"Sure you don't," Joe laughs.

I want to laugh at his comment so much because I know it's true; Jess is losing her touch.

"On a more serious note," Jess sighs. "When do you think she'll wake up?"

"Shouldn't be long. The doctor told me she fainted because she was stressed."

Yeah, more than stressed. That Dr. Adkins is a pain in the ass!

"I tried to calm her down as much as I could. It just wasn't happening and now it's my fault she's lying here."

I can't believe my best friend is blaming herself for causing me to faint. It's not her fault. It's not anyone's fault but my own. I got so worked up over Dr. Adkins trying to tell me how I feel. I'm the one who fainted on my own accord. Jess did nothing wrong. She was the one that tried to calm me down but I brushed her attempt off so easily.

I let my hormones get the better of-

Oh God . . . the baby.

I feel my body jerk and before I know it, I'm awake.

My hands are griping the thin white sheet that's on the bed and I'm determined to sit up. My head is going from side to side as I try to take in my surroundings of the light blue walls and strong white light coming from the ceiling. The only thing stopping me from sitting up fully is hands that are pressing against my shoulders.

After a few minutes, I calm down and rest back against the soft pillow on a sigh.

"Leigh, you're alright." Jess is trying to calm me down and is now sitting on the edge of the bed looking at me. One of her hands is pushing my hair away from my face and she's shushing me to be quiet. "You're alright," she repeats.