“Thank you.”
“I’ll call you as soon as we know something.” Joey kisses her mom and we make our way to the car. We’ll have enough time to get out of the garage and down the road before the production realizes the noise they can hear is Joey and I leaving.
“Barry is going to be pissed,” I say, turning out of our community and heading down the hill toward the hospital. At night Hollywood is gorgeous and I’ve always loved it. The nightlife is still bustling, creating a glow.
“It’s none of his business.”
“No, but Jules will see this as a missed opportunity to sell her story.”
Joey doesn’t say anything, but I suspect she’s rolling her eyes. She wants to see the good in everyone even when they don’t deserve it.
“I can guarantee you that People magazine will be there as soon as she delivers.”
“Josh …”
“Joey, I know you want to believe she’ll change after giving birth, but I doubt it. The baby will be an accessory until the novelty wears off and then it will be a burden. I know her better than most. She’s never going to change.”
We’re silent the rest of the way to the hospital and when we pull in I’m thankful that the media isn’t outside waiting. I’ve never come out and publicly denied Jules’ baby, but I haven’t admitted it either. Most people are going to assume I’m the father and while that bothers me, Blaze felt that doing damage to her professional career wasn’t a smart move on my part. As long as Joey and her parents know the truth, that’s all that matters.
Joey leads us to the desk and asks where we can find Jules.
“I’m sorry, we don’t have anyone registered by that name,” she tells us.
“Please try Juanita Madonno.”
The nurse starts typing again and Joey looks at me. With a shrug, I start walking toward the room number the nurse blurted out.
“Juanita? Is that her alias?”
“No, that’s her name. Jules is her stage name.”
“Is Joshua Wilson a stage name and I’m really m
arried to someone else?” she asks as we press the buzzer to be let into maternity.
“Nope, Joshua Wilson is who I am.”
“Phew,” she says, wiping her forehead. I laugh out loud and a nurse behind the desk glares at me. When we find Jules’ room, Joey tells me she’ll wait by the door.
I knock and step in. The second Jules sees me, her face lights up. She reaches for me, but I stay, standing against the wall.
“You came.”
I shake my head. “I didn’t want to, but Joey made me … she made us.”
“She’s here?” Her tone is snarky.
“Out in the hall.”
“Why? Why couldn’t you leave her at home?” Jules flops back on her bed and cries out, I’m assuming she’s having a contraction or whatever they are. “Why, Josh?”
“Because she’s my wife, Jules. And for whatever reason she wanted to be here for you when I wanted to go back to sleep. My wife thought you needed a friend.”
A nurse comes in to soothe Jules. I feel bad, but refuse to move from the wall. “Are you the father?”
“No, I’m not,” I say, sternly.
The nurse never makes eye contact with me. “It’s time, Jules.”