Page 80 of Drive Me Crazy

A door slams and we stumble away from one another. I collapse into the wall behind me, letting my shoulders hold me up. He falls against the one across from me and we struggle for air.

"We need to..." he swallows hard. "get back."

I will myself to stand and straighten my clothes. "Dear Baby Jesus! I think I'm ready."

"I sure as hell like the color in your cheeks." He winks, grinning mischievously.

I take a step toward the door, gripping the handle and sink my teeth in my bottom lip, and slowly releasing it. "And to think, had you played that right, you might've been free to make the others just as pink."

"Fuck me." His mouth gapes and adjusts himself. I pull the door open, looking back to see if he's following and run straight into another person.

"Oh, excuse me." I hold my hands up as Ridge latches onto my waist, holding me up.

The man, dressed in a white coat, reaches for me and earning him a glare from Ridge. "Hey, you okay? Miss Jennings, how are you?"

"I'm good. Definitely better than the last time you saw me here." I fidget, ready to go.

He reaches for Ridge. "Hi, there. How are you?"

"Good, thank you for asking." Ridge grumbles. There's an odd vibe whirling around as I pull the door open.

The doctor hesitates and stops. "So, you are a couple? Alright, I thought you said you were, but he said no."

"Umm, yeah we're together." I cut my eyes at Ridge, who has narrowed his at me.

The doctor stares at Ridge. "Well, I suppose I should say..."

"The baby's here!" Rumor screams from inside the door as she sprints into her dad's arms.

I yank Ridge with me, scrambling through the opening. "Thanks, bye!"

"What's he talking about?" Ridge murmurs as we hurry over to the crowd.

I shrug, refusing to face him or the question. "No clue."

"It's a boy! He's healthy and is the spitting image of his big sister. He weighed nine pounds, ten ounces!" Boone announces as we join the rest in cheers and applause.

Rumor waits for Boone to give her a sign she can speak. He whispers in her ear, and she smiles. "My parents and I are happy to introduce my baby brother, Maximus Boone Hatcher."

"Awe, Max!" The butterflies in my belly take flight, and I elbow the lump of grumpy man standing beside me. "Don'tcha love it?"

"I do," he nods. "and after this, you're going to tell me what the hell is going on."

"As long as you're going to do the same damn thing." I grunt, side eyeing him.

"Hey, come here." Boone motions in Ridge's direction. He takes a step and then wraps my wrist and tugs me with him.

Ridge releases me and wraps Boone in an enormous bear hug. "Congratulations, man!"

"I can't thank you enough." Boone pats his back as the manly emotions ensue. "You've been by her side when no one else could be, we love you, brother."

Even with Boone gone as long as I've been, he still knows more about Ridge than I do. My emotions are everywhere, I've got to get a grip on them.

I smile as he lets Ridge go. "Congratulations, I can't wait to see him."

"Thank you, it's good to see you." He gives me a quick peck on the cheek. "We need to catch up sometime over dinner."

"That sounds great." I slide in beside Ridge as everyone gathers around, waiting to see the newest addition.