Page 16 of Claiming Becca

Connor’s hand lands on my thigh, and he squeezes. “She’s going to be okay, Shortcake.”

I turn my attention to him and take a deep breath as tears burn in my eyes. “What if she’s not?” I whisper.

He unbuckles my seat belt and pulls me to be right next to him. I buckle the lap belt, and he wraps his arm around my shoulders. Leaning my head on him, I try not to think of the worst-case scenario. Caroline is crying softly in the back, so I turn to look at her. Bass has his arm wrapped around her tightly. She’s rocking slightly as she turns her head into his chest.

“Julian will probably get there before us. He was just calling us as a backup. I’m sure he called the police, too. She’ll be fine,” Bass encourages. I nod, even though I don’t believe him. I chew on my bottom lip as we approach Bailey’s house. Please let her be alright.

Nothing ever goes my way. Anytime something good happens in my life, something comes along to knock me off my feet. I should have stayed away from Bailey. Of course, my bad luck would rub off on her. I rub at the tightness in my chest, sucking in a shaky breath. Connor pulls me tighter into his side and rests his lips against my forehead. Swallowing, I try to ignore the feelings that arise with that. Doesn’t he know what all the touches and flirting do to me? I love it and hate it at the same time. Connor pulls into Bailey’s driveway behind Julian’s BMW.

Caroline moves to jump out, but Bass stops her. “No, Care. We don’t know what we’re walking in on.”

“That’s my sister, Bass!” Caroline exclaims. Bass cups her face in his hands, leaning his forehead against hers.

“I know, baby. I know. But I have to keep you and our daughter safe,” he explains to her.

“He’s right,” Connor says. “Is there a key hidden somewhere? I can try to sneak in and see if I can find Julian.”

Caroline reaches into her purse and pulls out a key. “Here, you can use this.” She hands Connor the key, her hand shaking slightly. He gets out of the truck and heads to the side door. I follow behind him, keeping my hand on his back.

“Shortcake, you should stay out here,” he whispers as he opens the door.

“No. That’s my best friend. Besides, wherever you go, I go,” I remind him. He smirks at me and taps me on the nose.

“Always, Shortcake. Always,” he replies. I smile at him as he opens the door. We slowly walk in, and it takes me a minute to take everything in.

Bailey and another girl are tied to a chair. I think her name is Tabitha. I remember Bailey pointing her out when I met her at the coffee shop near the college. There’s a guy with a gun pointed at Tabitha. It’s Josh. Bailey said she felt uneasy about him. A bead of sweat trickles down my back at the sight of him. My heart beats wildly in my chest, and I bring my hands to my mouth. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Julian coming through the sliding door in the kitchen. His eyes are focused on Josh, so he doesn’t see us.

“No! I won’t say anything, I promise!” Tabitha screams. Julian shows himself fully, raising his gun toward Josh. Josh’s eyes lift to Julian’s, and his aim switches from the girl and shifts toward Julian. No. Bailey.

“Oh shit!” I whisper. Then Connor is taking off. I try to grab Connor, but my hand encircles the air. Julian’s gun goes off at the same time Josh’s does.

I watch in horror as Josh falls to the ground and then Connor. My heart shatters, and dizziness overwhelms me.

“No!” I cry out, falling to my knees as I look on in horror. Not Connor. Not the guy who saved my life. Not the person who made life worth living again, who understands me like no one else. Not the one who accepts me, just as I am.

CHAPTER EIGHT

BECCA

I HATEhospitals. I especially hate hospitals when they have people I love in them. Bailey and Connor are both in the ICU. Bailey still hasn’t woken up, and Connor is undergoing another surgery. I move from sitting down to standing and then go back to sitting. I’ve been crying since Connor took that bullet. Looking down at my hands, they’re still shaking. I can still see Connor’s blood on them. What if I never hear one of his dad jokes again?

Liv sits next to me and puts her arm through mine. “Hey, Bec, you want some coffee or a snack?” I shake my head.

She hands me a bottle of water. “At least drink some water.” I take the bottle from her, sipping on it. If it weren’t for Liv, I’d be going crazy. She’s been by my side since she arrived at the hospital.

“Why are you being so nice to me, Liv?” I ask her as I wipe another tear away. I can’t stop crying. I hate it.

“Why wouldn’t I be? You’re my friend,” she replies. I sigh. I don’t have friends. She grabs my hand and holds it tight. “You’re not going to get rid of us. We’re here for good now. Caroline is taking care of Bass. Ansley is taking care of Caroline. Lincoln is taking care of Ansley. So, I’m taking care of you.” My heart breaks and mends at the same time.

I lay my head on her shoulder and allow her to comfort me. “I’ve never really had friends before. Caroline walked into the gym all those months ago and brought all of you.” I sniff and wipe away the tears that refuse to quit falling.

Liv chuckles. “Well, if you remember, I was the first to join the gym. Even before Ansley and Caroline,” she says.

I nod, remembering that. “I do remember. You rarely talked back then.”

She laughs and shrugs. “Well, let’s say therapy has helped me a lot.”

I give her a small smile at her. It’s the first smile I’ve had in two days. “Why did you decide to join the gym?” I ask her.

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