Series: Like Us Series by Krista Ritchie
Total pages in book: 177
Estimated words: 174544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Anyone would’ve done that, but I don’t argue. “What’d you name her?” is all I ask.
“Maeve. It’s Irish,” Jane says. “It means she who rules. And in Irish mythology, she’s a goddess.”
Irish.
Because of me. My gaze clouds with more emotion, and I look down at Maeve Moretti. A baby goddess is the perfect addition to the Cobalt Empire—and to Jane and Thatcher’s new family.
I sniff hard to keep tears at bay. “I think she’s already living up to the name.” Carefully, I hand her back to her mom. “It’s beautiful, Jane.”
Except my stomach has sufficiently twisted into a pretzel. A bad feeling bites at my heels, and it has nothing to do with the new parents. Everything to do with my situation.
It’s a me thing.
I make a smooth, unsuspecting exit, letting them have their calm, happy night with Maeve.
Once I manage to sneak past the camped paparazzi in the parking lot, I find the security vehicle and drive back to the penthouse. “Call Xander’s Dad,” I tell the car.
“Calling Xander’s Dad,” the automated voice responds.
It rings a handful of times.
“Wake up, Lo,” I mutter.
Finally, the line clicks. “Why the hell are you calling me at two a.m.?” His groggy voice floods the car, and I detect slight worry from him. Slight. Maybe I’m hallucinating it.
“You gotta run the article. Today or tomorrow, as soon as possible.”
“What?” he snaps, still sounding half asleep. “We’ll talk about this another day. Shouldn’t you be sleeping? In bed? Tucked away? You just delivered a baby.”
Not just any baby.
A Cobalt baby. I could ask Oscar’s husband Jack about how this will shift public perception, but I know fandoms. I know this fandom, and once they hear I delivered Jane’s daughter, it’ll do the inverse of what we’ve been trying to accomplish.
“I had to cancel dinner with my dad tonight,” I remind him. “For this. He’s not dumb. He’s gonna think I’m like Thatcher or Farrow to your family. Like I’m more than a no-named, replaceable bodyguard, and I have to be no one.”
Lo is quiet.
My dad won’t trust me if he thinks I’m more loyal to the famous ones than to my own flesh and blood.
“Please,” I’m begging here.
I’m scared of being caught in this lie.
Terrified, really. ‘Cause they won’t take me snitching on them kindly.
“I’ll think about it,” Lo says.
I scrape a hand through my hair before returning it to the wheel. “What’s the hold up, Xander’s dad?” I ask, trying to keep my voice leveled. “Who cares if it has typos?”
“It’s not about the typos, and you know that,” Lo says with a deep, irritated sigh.
“It’s about Luna,” I’m guessing, since she’ll need to endure this fake feud between her dad and me, the guy she loves. I get it, but if her enemy is the media or my family, I’m going to steer her away from my family—every damn time.
He doesn’t deny that Luna is the center of everything. “I’ll call my publicist at 8 a.m. and we’ll go from there.”
It’s the best I’m going to get.
FANATICON FORUM
WE ARE CALLOWAY
Posted by @CobaltsNeverDie
Is Paul Donnelly considered an honorary Cobalt after delivering Jane’s baby?
Dude did the MOST to ensure baby Maeve arrived. The Cobalt Empire needs to knight him. Thoughts? And I will accept nothing less than Donnelly becoming royalty through these legendary acts in chaotic times.
@ReedJenkins41: the fact that no one was there with Jane and he was alone = GOAT status. Which def makes him a Cobalt imo.
@banks_and_beautiful: But are we sure that Donnelly was alone? The family’s press release said nothing about how or where Jane gave birth. Just that Maeve Rose Moretti and mom were healthy.
@DaughterofRoses: There are literal pictures on GBA News where we see Jane holding the baby on the stretcher in the garden. Not to mention, the freaking EMT told the reporter that Donnelly delivered the baby alone. No. One. Else. Was. There.
@LionsTigers_andHales: Connor should crown him.
@Iluvcharliecobalt: idk about Donnelly but it’s horrible that Thatcher missed the birth of his baby. I feel so bad for Jane and him.
@SodaPoporDie: Thatcher is a cheater tho. Who cares if he didn’t see his baby? Karmic justice.
@WAC77Lover: Donnelly is the greatest. New favorite. I stan.
@GirlsinPink: Everyone should go watch Donnelly’s videos! He’s SO HOT. And he’s single!!! But not for long bc he’s mine, ya’ll. I’m claiming him.
FANATICON
DIRECT MESSAGES
Nov 16th,
7:21 a.m.
StaleBread89: had to leave early and didn’t want to wake you. Grabbing coffee with my dad, then I’m told I *might* be shifted to Xander later today. Something about him going to the arcade with Easton? Wish me luck 😜
8:46 a.m.
Illyana_Dallas222: Good luck, fellow Planet Partner! I’m crossing my many fingers for your safe travels. Let me know how it goes with my brother ❤️
9:32 a.m.
StaleBread89: I’ll relay everything. Stay sparkly, space babe ✨
11
LUNA HALE
While I scroll through Fanaticon and my most recent DMs on my bed, I reread the messages he sent me and smile a little. I still can’t believe Donnelly had to deliver Jane’s baby yesterday. He’d been so quick-thinking and composed in the hottest pressure cooker.