Page 132 of Forbidden Game

I pull from my father into my mother’s embrace. Her hand rubs my back as she lets out soft, cooing reassurances.

It’s impossible for me to even form words. My brain is spinning nonstop, the crash playing on repeat in my mind, over and over and over.

The guys had had to hold me back at the accident site, stopping me from charging into the debris.

It was painful waiting for emergency services to arrive, and when they pulled her limp body from the wreckage, I just about threw up. I’d managed to bully my way into the ambulance, holding her hand and watching the monitor as her heart continued to beat. But the doctors had shut me out the second they took her into the ER.

I’d done the only thing I could do, and that was use all the money and power at my disposal to get her and the other girls their own private hospital suites.

I’d told the doctors to spare no expense, I’d cover any cost, they just needed to run every test, no matter how minor. I didn’t want them to miss anything. I needed her to be okay. I’d also made sure Sydney’s father was contacted and booked him on the first Imperial flight out of Missouri.

But that was all I could do, and I fucking hate it.

I can’t make her wake up.

The doctors said it should happen, but until her eyes open and I know she is okay, I wouldn’t rest. I couldn’t rest.

The driver died on impact and the police are still investigating, but all I can think about is that someone almost caused me to lose the single most important person in my life.

Sydney is my lifeblood; she gives me strength and power. She is the person who makes life that little bit better just by being by my side, the cherry on top of my sundae.

I can’t lose her.

I can’t imagine the world without her in it.

I’d just gotten her, finally. They can’t take her away.

The tears flowing from my body turn to quick, sucking breaths.

“Darling, you need to calm down. It’s going to be okay. The doctors said she would be okay.” Mum pulls away from me, running her thumbs across my cheeks to clear some of the wetness. Her seafoam eyes shine with empathy.

“Oh, baby.” She places a kiss on my forehead. “I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It breaks my heart.”

I stumble from her grip and hazily make my way to Sydney’s bedside. My knees crack on the linoleum as I crouch next to her. I shakily take her small hand in mine, trying to warm her up with my touch, hoping that it will wake her up.

“Please, Sydney,” I beg. “Please.”

TWENTY-SIX

SYDNEY

“Carson, turn the music down. You’re going to blow out my speakers.”

“Oh, come on, Sydney. Lighten up.” My brother grins at me from the passenger seat, the moonlight shining on his sandy hair. “This is my favorite part.” He starts singing along to the refrain, bopping his head and hands in time with the guitar.

I roll my eyes. For someone eight years older than me, he has his moments when he acts like the younger sibling. You’d think he is eighteen, not me.

“Also, this car is so old, I doubt my music is going to ruin what’s already broken.”

“Don’t make fun of my car.” I glare at him and then give the console a quick pat. It had taken me forever to save up for it. “You’re not old, girl, he’s just mean.”

“Oh, Sydney.” He looks at me with pity. “You’re talking to the car, still? This is why you need to get out of this town and head to college ASAP so you can make real friends. Live life more.”

“I have real friends.”

“Dad and I don’t count.”

I gape at him. “Rude.”

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