Page 52 of Hidden Truths

Belle holds my hand as the nurse stitches my head. I barely notice the small pricks of the needle she used to numb it. There’s a weird pulling sensation as she stitches my skin back together. I try to focus on that.

I know I’m in shock. I know that’s what this weird state where I feel awake and asleep, in my body and not. Maybe if I focus on the sensation, I can snap out of it.

I somehow end up in the back of my car. I don’t remember walking there. I don’t remember getting in.

Turning my head, I see the base for Cora’s car seat. That’s what does it. It’s like someone suddenly took the world off mute. I can hear the music playing, Belle speaking, the GPS giving Kai directions to the hotel. I gasp and my body starts shaking.

Belle swings her head around at the sound. “Kai. Pull over,” she says. Once we’re on the side of the road, Belle scrambles into the back seat and pulls me into her arms. I have a full foot on her, and I’m much broader, but she holds me like I’m a small child.

And I don’t give a fuck.

I fall apart in my sister’s arms.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay in here with you?” Belle asks.

I smile as much as I can. “I’m good now, Belle. I promise.”

She nods. “We’re just in the next room.”

That makes me snort. “Belle. I’m good. I swear.”

“You should call Harlow. She’s probably freaking out.”

“What?” I jump up from the bed and fish my phone out of my pocket. I didn’t even feel it ringing in the state I was in. “Twenty-eight missed calls! Did you tell her what happened?”

“Uh, no. Someone saw us going into the prison and called the paps. They were there when the sirens went off. It’s all over social media and the news.”

“Belle! Did you tell her we’re fine?”

“Honestly, I just realized she’s probably freaking out because Willa has been calling me, and Mav has been blowing up Kai’s phone.”

“Go call them. I need to make sure my nanny isn’t on her way her with my daughter.”

She sighs but takes Kai’s hand and leaves the room.

Harlow answers on the first ring.

“Cal! What the fuck happened? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I tell her.

“Fuck this. I’m FaceTiming you.”

I sigh, knowing I don’t have a choice and accept the call.

“What happened to your head?” Harlow yells, her eyes are wide with panic.

“I’m okay, Firecracker.”

“Like fuck you are. Don’t you lie to me, Callahan Elizabeth Griffin! You gave me a heart attack.”

I smile. It feels almost foreign on my face right now, but the way she clearly cares about me makes me happy.

“Stop smiling! This isn’t funny! I thought . . . I thought,” her voice cracks.

“I know. I’m so sorry. I just got back to the hotel. We weren’t allowed to have our phones in the room.”

“Cal! What happened? All I know is that you went into that prison and the fucking emergency sirens went off. That’s all anyone is reporting. My dad won’t tell me anything.”

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