Page 18 of Broken Promises

“Well, his name is Ed, and he’s a police officer. He’s sweet, and I think he makes her happy, so I’m happy for her,” I told her. “How’s everything back in Seattle?”

“It’s good. By the way, Jason tried to contact me. Ugh. That asshole.”

Jason.With my sudden return to the past, I entirely forgot about the reason why I was here in the first place. The breakup still stung, but this town did its magic and had me thinking about it much less.

I waved my hand at her. “Just ignore him. He’s not worth your time.”

“I want to ignore him, but it’s hard when all I can think about is setting him on fire.” Sailor smiled sweetly. I chuckled, even if her words drew attention from one of the neighbors. I could only pray they knew she was joking.

When I stood in front of my house, I gave Sailor another small smile. “Look, I’ve got to go now. Thank you for keeping me company…if you’re free, I could call you later. And you can also talk to your favorite person in the world.” I paused. “My mom.”

Sailor laughed. “You bet! I’m in. Love you, girl!”

“Love you, too.” I hung up and headed into the house. I heard my mom rummaging through something in the living room when I opened the door.

“Mom?” I called out.

“Right here!” she yelled out. As I moved into the living room, I found her on the ladder she brought in from the garage, rummaging through one of the wall cupboards.

“Mom, what are you…” I trailed off as catastrophe unraveled before my own two eyes. The next few seconds played out in slow motion. In a fragment of a moment, my mom slipped and fell from the ladder, landing on the wooden floor with a loud thud. I heard the crack of her bones, which was quickly followed by a flood of pained curse words.

“Mom!” I yelled out the moment everything settled in, rushing toward her. She was still on the floor, and her right foot was in an unnatural position that sent a shudder down my spine. She definitely broke something. As I crouched beside her, I didn’t dare to try to move her as panic whirled inside my mind.

“I’m…okay, pumpkin. Oh, God!”

My hands were shaking as I dialed 911, barely able to focus on anything the dispatcher was saying. I needed to get my mom to the hospital.

luke

. . .

As my phone buzzed,I was surprised to see Ed’s number on it. It wasn’t often that he called me—if there was anyone to call from my family, it was my older brother, Landon, who worked as a doctor at the hospital in the nearby city of Rockwood. Still, I picked up without a moment of hesitation, worried that something had happened.

“Ed? Is everything all right?”

“Not really, Luke. I’m calling because Eve was hurt.” My heart dropped in my chest.

“Hurt? How? Is she?—”

“She fell from the ladder in her living room. I told her a million times to wait for me when she needs to get things like that done, but you know what she’s like.” He sighed.

“Is she going to be okay?” I quickly asked, and then a nagging question popped into my mind. “Is Lucy okay?”

“That’s why I’m calling. Lucy’s pretty shaken up. I was there when Eve was taken in the ambulance, and she couldn’t stop crying. I’m pretty sure she’s still crying in the hospital, so she could use a shoulder to cry on. I don’t want her to be alone.”

“I got it,” I said, grabbing my jacket already. Thankfully, I was done with my shift at the medical tent. “They’re in Rockwood, right?”

“Yeah. I already called Landon, too. To keep an eye on her and all. I’m still not done with my shift, but I’ll be there when I finish work.”

“Don’t worry about it.” I rushed toward my car. “I’ll keep an eye on both of them.”

It took me thirty-five minutes to get to the Rockwood General Hospital. On my way there, I called Landon, who, for once, didn’t return my call. I hoped it meant he was in with Lucy’s mom. As I ran into the waiting room, I found her seated at one of the plastic chairs, with her arms wrapped around her as she sobbed inconsolably. Her eyes were red from crying, and her nose from blowing it. The sight was enough to shatter my heart.

“Lucy…” I called out as I walked over to her. The moment I was beside her, my arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. And she let me. She sobbed into my chest, unable to string together a sentence, and I gave her all the time she needed. “She’s going to be okay, Luce,” I promised. I knew Landon would do everything he could to ensure she got the best care possible. “And you will be fine, too. I’ll stay with you.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, sniffling. “But you don’t have to. I’m sure you have a million things you need to do…” Despite her words, she was still gripping me tightly and not letting go. Nothing I needed to do could compare to this—being by her sidewhen she needed me. I missed out on a chance to do it for a decade, and I wasn’t about to let it happen now.

“Why don’t I go find Landon to see what’s happening with your mom?”

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