Page 61 of Light It Up Red
Chapter Twenty-Six
I’ve never been more terrified than I am right now. Fear isn’t something I’m accustomed to feeling, and it’s not fear for myself. It’s for her. I don’t know where the fuck she is, and that’s scaring the shit out of me.
She’s reading my messages but hasn’t replied. I thought she just needed the night, that she’d be here this morning when I woke up. She wasn’t, and I’m done giving her space. I can’t afford to give it to her. Because I know if I do, I’ll lose her for good. She’ll come to her senses and realize I’m not good enough for her.
Fuck that. I’m not going to let that happen.
I grab my phone off the table next to me. I don’t know anyone in this damn city besides my new teammates and I don’t know them a whole lot either. Desperate times call for desperate measures, though, and that’s why I press the green dial button next to his name.
“You still breathing?” Grayson asks as way of answering.
“I need a ride. Can you come get me?”
“Be there in twenty,” he says, no questions asked. Just that he’ll be here.
“I’ll be out front.”
“You breaking out, O’Neil?”
“Something like that.” I pull myself up off the bed, and it’s then that I notice I’m still wearing a fucking hospital gown. “I’m gonna need some clothes too,” I add.
“Got it,” he says before disconnecting the call.
My parents come into the room just as I sweep my legs over the edge of the mattress. “What are you doing?” Mom asks.
“I need to get out of here,” I tell her.
“You can’t. Travis, you were shot.”
“I’ve had worse injuries in youth league. I’m fine.” It’s a lie. My side hurts like a motherfucker, but I’m choosing to ride out the pain. Nothing is going to stop me from getting to Lili.
“Travis, you should lie down. Let me get the doctor,” my father says.
“Dad, I need to go.” I give him a pleading look.
He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “Fine. Come on,” he says as he wraps an arm around my waist and guides me to my feet.
“I can’t believe you’re just going to help him.” Mom crosses her arms over her chest and pins my father with a glare.
“We either help him or he’ll do it himself. It’s your fault he’s so damn stubborn, you know. The kid didn’t get that trait from me,” Dad says with a chuckle before turning back my way. “So, where exactly are we going?”
“Grayson is gonna pick me up out front. You and Mom should go to my place. There’s not a lot there. We haven’t furnished it yet but feel free to make yourselves at home. I can have whatever you need delivered,” I tell him.
“You’re aware you’re wearing a dress, right?” Dad questions as we slowly shuffle over to the door.
“It’s a hospital gown, not a dress, and I’m well aware,” I grunt.
“Travis O’Neil, I just want you to know that I am fully against this plan of yours. Whatever it is. And when you make your injury worse, I’m going to be the one to say I told you so,” Mom grumbles while holding the door open.
“Thanks, Mom. I promise. I really am fine.” I’ll be better once I get my eyes on Lili, but I don’t say that part aloud.
By the time I make it to the front of the hospital, Grayson is leaning against his car waiting for me. He opens the passenger side door. “If you bleed on my leather, you’re paying for the detail,” he says as I fall into the seat.
“Worth it,” I grunt as a sharp pain shoots through my body.
He jumps behind the wheel before glancing in my direction. “Where we going?”
“Take me to wherever the fuck Lili is,” I tell him.
