Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
My stomach rolls at the thought of losing this.
Bellamy places Mia on her feet, and she toddles after Coral to the corner where the toy area is. Camden is already there, playing with a toy fire truck, and he offers each of the girls a truck as they plop down on the floor next to him.
“It’s time for kickoff,” Everly says, and everyone moves in to watch. I stand back a little to keep an eye on the kids, as does Bellamy. The Rampage is playing against the Richmond Royals today, and our offense takes the field first.
We talk, laugh, and keep up with the kids, all while the Rampage wrap up the first quarter, seven to nothing. That’s a good start to the game for sure. It takes a lot of effort not to watch Will on the sidelines and keep my attention on the game, but somehow, I manage.
“I’m going to use the restroom,” I tell Bellamy. “Can you keep an eye on Mia?”
“We all will.” Bellamy chuckles. “You know that you don’t have to ask.”
I nod and head to the bathroom. I’m handling my business when a strong queasiness washes over me. I brace one hand on the wall, willing it to pass. Once the room stops spinning, I wash my hands and step out of the bathroom.
It’s the last thing I remember until—
“Hey, Manda, can you hear me?” Bellamy asks.
“Wh-What happened?” I ask, trying to sit up, but she stops me, pressing on my shoulders to keep me down.
“You collapsed when you came out of the bathroom. We’re waiting on the EMTs to come up and check you out.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” I say, trying to stand again, but she pushes me down again, gently, and I don’t have the strength to fight her on it, so I lie on the floor of the suite. “Mia?”
“Occupied,” Everly says, kneeling on my other side. “Can we get you anything?”
“No. I just got a little lightheaded, that’s all.”
“That’s all?” Bellamy asks incredulously. “Manda, you fainted. You don’t faint,” she says, just as the door of the suite opens, and two EMTs rush in.
I let them do their thing, checking my vitals, and finally, they help me sit up and offer me some juice. I drink it even though my stomach is telling me that it’s a bad idea. I can’t really focus on what they’re saying—trying not to vomit everywhere—until I tune back in long enough to hear them say they’re taking me to the emergency room just to be sure.
“I’m fine,” I assure them. “I haven’t been sleeping and have felt a little dizzy. I’ll be fine.”
“You’re going. I don’t want to hear any lip,” Bellamy demands. “And before you say you can’t because of Mia, this room is filled with family who will take care of her while we take care of you.”
“What she said,” Sloane chimes in.
“I can’t leave her,” I say, feeling tears well in my eyes. I don’t know why I’m so upset at the mention of leaving her behind, but I am.
“Okay,” Eden says softly. “We’ll come with you. We’ll bring her so that she’s close.”
“Amanda,” Kendall says softly. “The girls and I would be happy to keep an eye on her for you. We can keep her at Corie and Knox’s place until you’re released. We’re happy to,” she says.
I open my mouth to tell her she doesn’t have to.
“Let Kendall, Everly, and Emma keep her,” Bellamy encourages me.
“I’ll stay with them,” Eden says.
“Me, too,” Sloane says. “That’s five of us, and five littles. One for each of us. We’ll keep a close eye on her. I promise,” she says.
I lose my battle with my tears, and my stomach rolls. “Are you sure?” I ask, swallowing hard to keep from losing what little I have managed to eat today all over myself and the floor.
“We’re sure,” all five of them chorus.
“Thank you,” I say, wiping at my tears.
“Easy does it,” the EMT, whose name I didn’t catch, says as they help me stand. “We need to put you on the stretcher.”
“No.” I look at Bellamy and plead with her. “Can you drive me? I promise I won’t put up a fight. The stretcher isn’t necessary.”
“Is she well enough for me to take her?” she asks the EMT.
I want to roll my eyes, but I know it’s just because she’s worried about me.
“She is. Just assist her while walking to prevent another fall, and ma’am, we’ll need you to sign a paper that you insisted on going on your own.”
“I’ll sign.” I nod while the other EMT moves a chair closer for me to sit. They produce the paper. After I sign it, Bellamy and the EMT help me to Bellamy’s SUV without further incident.
Once in the car, I close my eyes and will the nausea to subside. At least the ER should be able to give me something to help with that.