Page 50 of After All This Time

She gets into the passenger’s side of the car and I step into the driver’s side. Putting the key into the ignition, music plays right away.

“I didn’t know you listen to Queen.”

She turns to me, cocking her head. “There are a lot of things you don’t know about me.”

My eyes grow wide as I turn away from her, biting my bottom lip.

XANDER

XANDER

Hey, bro. Sorry for updating you so late. Nothing new to report, except Grayson was driving me fucking crazy so I sent his ass home

Anyways, we were waiting to hear from Dr. Miller for hours for an update about Lizzie. The nurse came by and told us that she’s been backed up today, so she’ll update us tomorrow. Don’t worry, I got your back

ME

Have I ever told you that I love you?

XANDER

I’m flattered

BTW, how are you enjoying your quality time with Dani?

ME

If Grayson told you to ask me that, tell him he’s a dumbass. Bye

“That was Xander. I told him to update me if anything happens while we’re gone.”

“Are there any updates about Lizzie?” The eagerness in her voice makes me hopeful that something positive is going to come out of this nightmare.

“He said they’ve been waiting for Dr. Miller for hours because she got backed up. They won’t hear from her until tomorrow. He told me he’ll let me know what she says.”

She takes a deep breath and nods her head.

I have no idea what she’s thinking about. I wish I could get into her head. Okay, maybe I don’t.

Some things should remain a mystery, right?

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

dani

Despite how much he drives me absolutely crazy, I can only imagine how Noah’s feeling.

Seeing the sheer panic in his eyes not knowing what’s going to happen to Lizzie makes fear grow inside me like weeds.

He’s hurting, even if it’s not obvious to people who haven’t gone through losing a parent.

I can feel everything he’s feeling, like a sponge soaking up water.

“Are you okay? I know this isn’t easy. You know, not knowing what’s going to happen to her and everything.”

He swallows, his Adam’s apple sinking low and bouncing itself back into place. He breathes out like there’s a chill in the air. “I hate not knowing if my sister’s going to be okay. I-I mean shit happens we can’t predict all the time.” His voice is shaky and his eyes have a glassy sheen to them. “But, this is different. This is my family.”

I turn to face him. “Noah.”

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