Page 100 of Taking Chances

“It’s my mom. They got into another fight.”

Even through my tears, I see her eyes widening, concern evident.

“Is she OK?” she asks, but immediately shakes her head. “Is she hurt badly?”

“She’s at her sister’s house. I don’t think she’s hurt more than usual. But she’s never done that before, she never left the house, even for the night.”

She exhales a relieved breath. Her hand lands on my back, the touch searing into my skin. “I’m so sorry, Lennox.”

“I’m sorry for waking you up. I shouldn’t have come here.” I shake my head. “I just didn’t know what to do.” I’ve been on the verge of a breakdown for days now and this just pushed me over.

“No, I’m glad you did. I’m here for you.” Her eyes are pools of green, and I ache to kiss her.

“I think I’m going to grab a seat on the next flight to Chicago.”

“Yeah, I think you should. I’ll come with you.”

“No. It’s not necessary.” I shake my head firmly before unlocking my phone.

“I know it’s not. But I’m doing it anyway.” She doesn’t give me time to protest before continuing. “Now buy us two tickets while I pack a few things.”

My gaze drops to my phone. “Shit.”

Anne runs back to the living room in an instant. “What?”

“Rina and Connor are in the hospital; she’s having the baby.”

She searches for her phone frantically until she remembers she left it in her bedroom.

“Natalie and Matt are on their way,” she states before typing out a message of her own.

“You should go, too.”

“So should you. But this is more important now. Natalie will cover for me.” She drops the phone on her couch. “Did you get those tickets?”

“Anne, your best friend is having a baby. You should be there.”

“She has Connor, and Natalie and Matt there. She’s covered.” She shoots me a pointed look, as if saying,You on the other hand… “I’m honestly done with people telling me what I should be doing. So, let’s stop this argument and get to the airport.”

I dip my head, too tired to object, and focus on purchasing the tickets.

39

ANNE

My heart breaks for him. The strong man I’ve come to know is a little boy scared for his mom, and it kills me to see him like this.

Just noticing him at my doorstep was enough to set my heart into overdrive, but my feelings took a back seat when I realized what happened.

It’s obvious how unused he is to having someone support him. How he doesn’t know how to react when someone cares for him.

But I do. And there’s not a doubt in my mind that on a plane to Chicago is where I’m supposed to be. While I love Rina to death, I know that she’ll be fine. Lennox, on the other hand, needs me. And I need to be there for him.

The Uber to the airport and the flight pass in a blur. By the time we’re in a taxi to his aunt’s house, it’s already morning and we’re both dead on our feet. I dozed off a few times, but with the tension rolling off him, I wanted to be awake to offer silent comfort.

I switch my phone off airplane mode, a string of texts hitting it.

“Any news?”

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