Page 46 of All of Me

“Maybe,” I say, shrugging. “But I’d rather be whipped than mess up what I’ve got at home.”

Will raises his glass, tipping it toward me. “Respect.”

When the night finally winds down, I pull on my jacket and say my goodbyes. The tension I’ve been carrying all evening finally starts to ease as I step into the cold night air.

Climbing into my truck, I pull out my phone again.

Me:

On my way home. Love you.

Her response comes before I even start the engine.

Callie:

Love you too. Can’t wait to see you.

I sit there for a moment, letting the quiet settle around me. Nights like this are fun, but nothing compares to going home to her.

The drive to Hawkridge is quiet, the streets lit by faint orange streetlights. Most of the town is asleep, their houses decorated with Christmas lights twinkling in the cold. I glance at the dashboard clock, estimating I’ll be home in fifteen minutes. Callie’s probably curled up on the couch by now, trying to distract herself with a book or one of those baking shows she loves.

My phone buzzes in the cupholder, and I glance at the screen. Callie.I smile, picking it up and answering quickly. Apparently she really cannot wait for me to get home. “Hey, dollface?—”

“Owen,” she interrupts, her voice trembling. “Something’s wrong with Ruby.”

nineteen

I’LL BE - EDWIN MCCAIN

CALLIE - DECEMBER 14, 2013

My phone buzzes, the screen lighting up with a message from an unknown number.

Unknown:

Callie, it’s Katie. I’m texting because I didn’t think you’d answer a call from an unknown number. There’s something going on with Ruby. We’re on our way to the ER. She has a fever and a rash.

My heart drops. I reread the message, hoping I misunderstood, but the words don’t change. A fever and a rash? My mind spirals, imagining every worst-case scenario. Ruby was fine earlier. How did this happen so fast? My hands tremble as I text back.

Me:

What happened? How high is her fever?

Her response comes almost immediately.

Unknown:

102.8. The rash is all over her chest. I’ll update you as soon as we know more.

The phone shakes in my hand as panic grips me. My baby. My sweet, tiny Ruby. A fever this high at just six weeks old—every worst-case scenario flashes through my mind.

I press Adam’s number, my hands trembling so badly I nearly drop the phone. It rings twice before he picks up.

“Callie,” he says, his voice tight and strained.

“What’s going on?” I demand, my voice shaking.

“Katie texted you, right?” he asks quickly. “Ruby’s got a fever and a rash. It came on so fast, and it’s all over her chest. We’re on our way to the ER in Burlington.”

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