Page 45 of Play Pretend

They were taking a long time.

Pulling out my phone, I brought up my thread with Trin and sent a quick text.

ME:

Is Willow okay?

No reply.

ME:

It’s been ten minutes. Tell me she’s okay.

Again. Nothing.

I tried to stop myself from moving, tried to make myself stay put. But the longer they were gone, the longer she was out of my sight, the more panic flowed through my veins.

“Fuck it,” I muttered under my breath. I shoved through the crowd, ignoring Tommy as he talked into the mic. Everything, everyone, was secondary as I stopped outside the bathroom door. I stared the stick figure in a dress painted on the outside, and I swore it was mocking me.

The skin on my lip ripped open as I gnawed on it, unsure of what to do. I couldn’t barge in, but I couldn’t stand here and wait anymore.

Images of Trinity bleeding out flashed through my mind again, and suddenly, I didn’t care anymore. I didn’t care about freaking Willow out. I didn’t care about what anyone was going to say.

All I could focus on was the way panic wrapped around my chest and squeezed like a python, the way it told me Willow was on the other side of the door dying, and if I didn’t get to hernow,it would be too late. I’d lose her forever.

The rough wood dug into my palm as I shoved the door open and stormed inside. Floral soap and sweet perfume hit my senses, bringing me out of the past and cementing me firmly in the present. Willow let out a soft scream, Trinity squeaked, and Brynne glared.

“What are you doing in here?” Brynne demanded, folding her arms over her chest. I ignored her as I leveled a look at Willow.

This was the first time she’d looked at me since falling—the first time I’d allowed myself to see her in a new light—and it took my breath away.Shetook my breath away.

She wasn’t just my neighbor anymore. She was something else.

“Everyone out,” I said, never letting my gaze leave hers. Brynne huffed out a sarcastic laugh, and finally, she drew my attention.

“Absolutely not?—”

“Out.”

“Ronan, you need to take a breath,” Trinity said softly. “Ground yourself.”

“It’s alright,” Willow muttered.

Silence fell over the room as Brynne and I glared at each other, each of us challenging the other. I knew I couldn’t do much—I was in the wrong. Iknewthat. But I had to prove to myself that Willow was truly alright.

“I’ll be fine.” Willow gave my sister and her best friend a tight, reassuring smile, and Brynne finally relented. Barely.

“We’ll be right outside,” she said, pointing at the door. “Holler if you need me.”

I rolled my eyes. What the fuck did she think I was going to do?

They knew I wasn’t dangerous, but they also knew I could be intense, especially when it came to safety. They were probably worried I was scaring Willow.

The girls headed out, and when the door clicked shut behind them, I turned fully toward Willow. She twisted her hands together nervously, her eyes on the floor. I took a step forward and gently rested my finger under her chin, urging her to look at me.

The contact settled something inside me. Usually, it did the opposite—but she was different.

“I need the truth,” I murmured. “Are you really okay? You’re not hurt? You don’t need the hospital or?—”

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