Page 167 of Just This Once

The two stalled short, blinking at me before Oaklynn answered, “He, uh, was right behind us, riding with Keene and Xander. Why? What’s?—”

I didn’t give her a chance to ask anything else. I diverted my attention to the glass walls. And when I saw Keene making his way up the sidewalk, leading Alec and Xander, I rushed outside to intercept them.

“Hey,” Keene called when he saw me. He picked up his pace to meet me, but I veered right past him, only seeing Hope’s brother.

“Alec.”

My voice was quivering like crazy, and when I reached for him, both my hands fumbled as they tried to latch around the front of his shirt.

He faltered, glancing at the others in question and clearly wondering why he was my focus instead of anyone else. But then he reached out as well, gripping my arm as I clutched his shirt tightly.

“I’m here,” he assured softly. “What’s wrong?”

My breathing had escalated, and it took me a moment before admitting, “I—it—it’s Hope. I couldn’t get her to wake up, andthey took her back doing chest compressions. I don’t—I don’t know—I don’t?—”

The others had followed me outside, and they all gathered around, gasping and turning to each other in worry as Alec shook his head and said, “Holy shit.Hope?”

I nodded, still finding it hard to talk. I couldn’t stop fucking shaking.

“What was she—what happened? Was she in a car accident?”

I shook my head and bowed my face to grit my teeth, still holding onto him in an attempt to steady myself. “No. She—she woke up with a fever and was barely able to say a straight word like she’d had a seizure or something. She was confused, vomiting, had no idea where she was, and she—she thought I was her mom once. Then she passed out, and I couldn’t get her to wake up again. I—Jesus. She?—”

“Hold up,” Alec broke in, waving his hands. “You’re talking too fast. What—?” He shook his head. “She woke up…where? Did you stumble across her at some party? Do you think someone drugged her or?—”

“No.” I squeezed my eyes shut for a second to calm myself down. “I thought it was just seasickness at first. When she got queasy, I laughed.” Jesus. What the hell was wrong with me? She’d been dying, and I’dlaughed. Grinding the heels of my hands into my eye sockets, I sobbed, “I fucking laughed.”

“So…her appendix burst?What?”

Shuddering out a breath, I dropped my hands and looked at Alec. “Her liver’s failing again,” I uttered hollowly and wiped a hand over my dry burning face.

Alec’s mouth fell open. “Wha—what?” He squinted at me as if I’d lost my mind. “No.” He shook his head and slunk a step back. “Wh—How wouldyouknow that? And seasick? Why was my sister on thewaterwith you this late at night?”

I licked my lips and set my hands on my hips, bowing my head slightly. Closing my eyes, I took a calming breath before looking up again. All our friends had gathered around to listen. They were watching me. Waiting to hear the truth.

“I—” My voice quivered harder than usual as my gaze sought Alec’s apologetically. “She didn’t want you to know. She?—”

“Wait!” Alec boomed, lifting his hands and shaking his head, not comprehending. “What?”

I gulped. “She told me she had five years left, but I don’t—I don’t think that’s true. I don’t think she even has that much time.”

Alec squinted at me. “I don’t—herliver’sfailing again? But why would she tellyouthat? And what were you even doing with her?”

When I froze, realizing this was the moment I lost my best friends, Hudson seemed to catch on first.

“Oh, fuck,” he breathed. “Ohrley, man. You didn’t.”

“He didn’twhat?” Alec demanded, glancing between us before his eyes widened in horror. “Oh shit.” He stepped toward me threateningly. “Why were you with Hope?”

I shook my head at him in despair. “You know why.”

“Son of a bitch,” he hissed. “You fuckingsleptwith my sister, and now she’shere? What the hell did you do to her?”

“I didn’t—” I started brokenly, lifting my hands, but an orderly had stepped outside.

“Excuse me,” she interrupted. “Is anyone here for Hope Langston?”

Alec and I turned together, lurching forward.

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