Page 35 of Game Changer

“Oh my gosh, there’s a lot of questions, and I’m sure she’ll answer that when she wakes up. She’s gotta wake up.”

“Hudson says it’s awful, that she doesn’t even look like herself. They passed the scene of the accident on their way to the hospital, and the vehicle wasn’t even recognizable.”

“Well, Bossy made it out and is, I’m sure, going to be okay. I know Lindsey will be, too.”

“But what if she’s not, Sydney? What if she’s not?”

“You’re going to take all of that back and not ever put it out in the world again—positives only. When she’s healed, when she is able to leave the hospital, when … just when from now on.”

Riley nods her head as tears streak down her face.

“All right, no more of this.” I wipe away her tears. “You’re pregnant, so you have to avoid as much stress as you can. So, how about you go climb into that big old bed of yours and get some sleep? I’ll go lay down with Lily until she wakes up.”

“She’s going to be confused.”

I nod. “Only for a couple seconds, and then we will distract her with lots of sweetness.”

As we’re walking upstairs, my phone vibrates in my hand, and I look down at it and read the message.

BVCS

Due to weather conditions, all Blue Valley Central schools will be canceled for the day.

I pull up the phone and show Riley the screen. “I’m gonna shut my phone down and snuggle that little beauty until she wakes up.”

“Make sure to wake me up as soon as she’s up.” Riley yawns.

“Of course.”

When I wake up, I am startled when I see Boone lying on the other side of Lily, dark blue sapphire eyes boring into mine.

I immediately begin to panic, and tears fill my eyes, knowing what this means.

“Oh, Beau, I am?—”

“She’s still hanging in there,” he cuts me off, whispering. “Her folks and I …” He shakes his head. “They don’t like me much; thought I’d clear the way for them to see their daughter.”

“Praise Jesus.” I sigh out my relief.

“Gonna have to tell my little flower her mommy got banged up pretty bad.” His brows knit.

“If I can help in any way?—”

“Gonna take you up on that, Cupcake.”

And it’s not the most opportune moment for my face to flush.

“Daddy,” Lily’s sleepy little voice interrupts the awkwardness. “We got to make sweet toast and go to school?” She sits up, stretching. Then she notices me lying beside her and smiles that big, beautiful smile. “My Sid stays with me and Daddy?”

“I only just got here.” I kind of lie, but I don’t feel bad about it. I have a feeling there’s going to be a lot of lies and half-truths told today, but the kind meant to help, not harm.

“Do you like sweet toast?”

“I do.” I push her little curl behind her ear. “But I love it with fruit on top.”

“And sweet creamy?”

I’m pretty sure she’s referring to whipped cream. “Only if I have it.”

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