Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
“Thanks. What did they say?”
“They will be here tomorrow,” he says.
I’m out of my seat, standing in shock. I can’t believe that they’re rushing here because I fainted. “They don’t need to do that. The trip finishes tomorrow and I’m fine, anyway.”
“You’re not going to stay?” Abby asks.
“I didn’t think anyone wanted me here,” I confess.
“Girl, I told you that my brother wasn’t kidding about his feelings.”
“But I’m the reason he was outside.”
“Did you hit him with the car?” Abby asks me with her hands on her hips.
“No, of course not,” I gasp.
“Then he should have come to dinner with us like he was supposed to instead of sulking like he’s been doing for days,” Abby replies, taking my hand in hers. “He didn’t want to be here in the first place, and Mom made him come here because she wanted us together for the holidays. Still, whoever hit him is to blame, and no one else. Understand?”
“Yes,” I say, even though I’m not sure it’s that easy to believe it.
Jack takes a call from their parents, and we wait for their conversation to end to learn the news. “He’s still in surgery, but they said to sleep until we have more news. They aren’t leaving. Mom has been given a room at the hospital because Dad wasn’t going to take no for an answer.”
I start heading toward my suite, but I’m suddenly lifted off my feet and cradled by Jack. “Nope. We’re on strict orders to bring you back to our suite. You can have our parents’ room for the night. We need to make sure you’re okay.” I start crying, clinging to Jack.
“Already moving onto the next brother,” Sarah mutters as we pass her. That woman is worse than Shelby. At least Shelby actually knows Simon is a great guy and wants him for more than the fact that he’s hot.
“Since you called the ambulance, I’m going to let you keep breathing out of that fake nose of yours,” Abby says.
“Don’t be so hostile. It’s not like we can’t get along. Simon and I were having such a great night together. After our dinner, we took a long walk and were almost back when that idiot jumped onto the sidewalk and Simon pushed me out of the way. He’s always a gentleman.” She winks at me before sauntering off.
Deep down in my heart I know she’s lying, but the pain is so real and fresh that I want to scream. She’s the cause of all this, and I hate her from the depths of my soul. Why was she around to help Simon? Did she have something to do with his accident, or was she still trying to seduce him?
Jack refuses to let me get away, and with a swiftness I don’t expect, he picks me up again and carries me away. “Just rest. Simon will be okay. He’s strong, and we need to be strong for him.” They bring me into the suite, and Jack lays me down on the bed, kissing my forehead before covering me with the blanket.
“Good night, little sister,” he whispers, closing the door behind him. I close my eyes and dream about Simon.
****
My own screams startle me awake. I sit up with my hand pressed to my heart, breathing heavily. This trip was a mistake, and I wish I could do it over again. There is a note from the family saying my parents are here, and that they went to the hospital to see their brother. I leave the suite and go to mine to change. After I’m dressed, I go looking for my parents in the main lobby area.
“Honey, there you are.” My mother drags me into her arms, hugging me with a frantic urgency that scares me. I hope they don’t tell me that he died.
“I’m sorry, sweetie. We got here as soon as we could. We spoke to Wrench this morning. Simon is in a coma. The doctor is really worried that he might not make it, but this is good because at least he has a chance. They believe it’s only temporary.”
I collapsed, knees buckled, unable to breathe. I shouldn’t have said what I said. I can’t believe my last words were full of anger just because I was jealous. My father picks me up off the floor, scooping me in his arms and carrying me to the sofa—the same sofa I saw Simon standing by the other day. “We’re going to go there right now, okay, kiddo?”
“Daddy, he has to be okay,” I sob. My words are barely audible through the tears. I know we will never be together, but that doesn’t mean I want him to be hurt.
“He’s going to make it. He’s too strong. Too pig-headed to just give up.”
“I hope so,” I cry. My mother runs her hand through my hair.