Page 47 of Rent Free

Emory was gesturing wildly with her hands to Sage, who was patting her comfortingly on the shoulder.

It was an intimate move.

Like they knew each other.

Got along.

Like they were friends.

And if they were friends, then they both knew who the other was.

A sick feeling started to form in my gut.

The door banged open, and I looked up to find Pepper barreling inside, a wild look in her eyes.

The moment she saw me, relief hit her features.

She rushed to me and said, “I heard. I was the only one in town, so I came. Maven called me at the store and told me everything.”

She came.

She came.

I felt my throat thicken, and a feeling of almost desperation rolled through me as I said, “I have a son.”

My croak had her moving forward, her hand on my arm now. “I heard.”

“He was locked in a hot car for twenty-seven minutes,” I whispered brokenly. “They don’t know that he’ll…”

“He will be fine,” she whispered, her hand going to my gut. “Carters are fighters.”

I closed my eyes as I prayed her words were true.

“You!”

We both turned to see Sage barreling toward us.

“Stop,” I snarled.

Sage stopped, blinking in surprise.

“Not here, and not now,” I barked.

Sage shook her head, her mouth opening and closing.

“I…” she started, but a couple of officers rolled through the doors of the ER, heading right for Emory, who was standing back, but still close enough to hear every word.

“Emory Cline?” an officer I recognized, but couldn’t quite place, said.

Emory turned toward them.

“Yes?” she asked nervously.

“You’re under arrest for child endangerment,” the first officer said.

The second one came over to me, a look of anger in his eyes. “Do you mind stepping into the hallway with me?”

I don’t know why I did it, but I caught Pepper’s hand in mine and dragged her with me.

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