Page 29 of Exclusive

“He’s not alone; I’m with him! His mother!”

I finally find my feet, and self, stepping up to help. “Brenda, I’m Presley Beckett, Sutton’s girlfriend. Woman to woman, I swear to you, Austin will be safe with us, and right behind you. And,” I pant, running beside the stretcher thing as she’s carried off, “we’ll find your husband. Everything’s gonna be fine, I promise.” She squeezes her eyes shut, pushing out a few tears, and nods. Once. Quick and defeated, but a yes.

Castello’s sacked out across my lap, exhausted from the most exciting day of either of our lives, as we wait in the truck in the hospital parking lot. Sutton took Austin in a little over an hour ago and I didn’t expect it to only take five minutes, but my nerves are starting to pick up now; an hour seems a bit too long to not mean trouble. And Sutton’s not answering my calls or texts, I’m assuming because he turned his phone off in the hospital. Always following the rules.

I send a text to Sky, just seeing what she’s up to, not giving a damn what she’s up to. Sure, there’s a few very plausible excuses for why I’m texting her; my nerves are on edge and I need a distraction, or I’m bored, but neither are wholly true. And the real reason, gaining strength with every image that flashes through my mind, dictates my next message.

Me: Can you come pick me up @ St. John’s hospital? I’m not hurt, just need a ride. ASAP. I’ll explain when you get here.

I stare at my screen, praying for dots to pop up, when the phone rings. “Hey,” I answer too breathily, too relieved.

“Why are you at the hospital?” Sky pierces my eardrums. “What happened? Say something!”

“Shut up for a second and I will! Tell me you’re on your way, though.”

“Like you have to ask, we’re already on the interstate. Now talk to me!”

I reel off the Cliffs Note’s version of the day, and then… spew out lies faster than I can talk myself out of them. “So, yeah, I don’t know how much longer he’s gonna be in there and it’s too hot for us to wait in this truck without the AC on, but his gas is getting low, so I’ll just leave him a note why I went with you.”

She buys it; every word.

Glad somebody does.

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