Page 97 of Unexpected Kisses

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Jostling and pain. I think I’m moving. Levitating over the ground.

Voices fade in and out.

Pain. So much pain.

The throbbing in my head pounds like a jackhammer and my need to vomit is strong. Bile moves up from my stomach, burning through my body.

Tight. Everything’s so tight. I can’t move. I’m trapped. The contents of my stomach explode out of my mouth.

I’m swimming in blackness.

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Loud noise. Jostling. Voices. Throbbing. Cold air. Agony. Darkness.

CHAPTER41

–sarah–

It’smid-afternoon and my phone rings with an unknown number. I’m always reluctant to answer calls I don’t recognize but I’m hoping this is Dylan with an update on AJ. I really need to see him and tell him how sorry I am. I need his forgiveness. The whole thing’s been eating away at me. I need to tell him I’m prepared to find a job somewhere else, so we can be together. I’ve already applied for a couple of positions this morning on the other side of town. It’s just a matter of time before the applications close and I’ll know if I have an interview.

With trembling fingers, I press the green button and hold the phone to my ear. “Hello, this is—”

“Sarah.” The male voice is panicked, sending my pulse skyrocketing. “It’s Dylan.” Blood rushes to my ears because I know from his tone that something terrible has happened.

“Wh-where is he?” I stammer.

“Mercy Vale.”

“Oh my God. This is all my fault. I’m on my way.” My legs shake as I stand, my breaths coming fast, and grab my purse, heading straight for the elevator.

“Sarah!” Dylan almost shouts down the line. I forgot I still had him on the phone. “Don’t drive. I don’t want you having an attack like you did yesterday while you’re driving. Fuck, I should have come and picked you up. Stay on the line with me. I’ve already called AJ’s family.”

“O-okay.” I get to the reception desk. “Lucy.” She snaps her eyes to me. The tone of my voice has her eyes widening in alarm. “C-can you please call me an Uber. I n-need to get to Mercy Vale Hospital. I’ll wait downstairs.” I can’t believe my shaky legs are holding me up and my heart is still inside my chest.

“Is everything okay?” Her eyebrows are scrunched low over her worried eyes.

“I do-don’t know.” Shit, I should probably tell Eric.

I take my first step toward Eric’s office when he comes barreling toward me. “I need to go. My grandson’s been in an accident.” He tosses at me as he passes.

I pick up my pace and follow him. “Can I come with you?”

“What’s going on, Sarah?” Dylan’s voice calls out and I remember I still have him on the phone.

“AJ’s grandfather is on his way to the hospital and I’m asking if I can go wi—”

“Who are you speaking with, Sarah?” Eric interrupts.

“Dylan, AJ’s best friend.” Creases form between his brows momentarily but waves me forward to follow him. As I pass Lucy, I tell her to cancel the Uber and follow Eric into the elevator. His driver is waiting out front and we climb straight in. “Dylan. I’m in the car with AJ’s grandfather. We’re on our way. Where can we find you?”

“Emergency. Come straight to the Emergency Room. We’re all here.”

“Okay.” Ending the call, I turn toward Eric. “We need to go to the Emergency Room.” We make our way toward the hospital in silence, both of us lost in our thoughts. My leg bounces involuntarily and the nausea I haven’t been able to shake since Monday morning threatens to escape. Squeezing my hands together in my lap, I try to keep my thoughts positive and in the moment, so I don’t have another panic attack—it won’t do me any good to fall apart. I monitor my breathing carefully, making sure I take measured breaths in and out. I need to keep it together.

For AJ.

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