Page 154 of Off Season

As he slowly opens the box, he says, “I want to go to sleep with you every night and wake up with you every morning—”

I don’t know what comes over me, but I blurt out, “Yes.”

The box opens fully, and I see a key. He grins widely. “Yes? You’ll move in with me?

Move in with him? That’s what he’s asking?

I’m speechless, deep in my head, considering the fact that I was just about to agree to marry him when I feel a blinding pain in my lower back and stomach. So bad that I fall to my knees and yell out, “Ahh.”

He reaches for me. “Kam, baby, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

These are phantom pains. I’ve had them before when Bailey has gotten injured, but never this painful. I grit out, “Bailey. Something has happened to her.”

He exhales an annoyed breath. “If you don’t want to move in with me, fine, but why the hell did you say yes?”

“Cruz, get me my fucking phone. My purse is at the table. Something is wrong. I can feel it.”

After a brief moment of hesitation, he stands, walks to our table, grabs my purse, and brings it to me.

I’m still feeling shooting pains down my back as I pull my phone out and dial Bailey’s cell phone.

Tanner answers, “Hello, Kamryn,” but he sounds off. His voice is shaky. Tanner oozes confidence and sophistication, but that’s not what I’m getting from him right now. And I think I hear a siren and several other voices.

I blurt out, “Something happened to my sister. I can feel it. Is she with you?”

He takes a few breaths like it’s hard for him to breathe. With a voice that sounds like he’s on the verge of tears, he says, “Yes. We’ve been in a car accident. She’s conscious but hurt. She…she can’t feel her legs. We’re in the ambulance. Meet us at Philly Hospital. She doesn’t want you to tell Arizona.”

Tears start streaming down my cheeks. My heart feels like it’s beating a million times per minute. My hands begin shaking. “I swear to god, Montgomery, if this is as bad as it sounds, I will kill you with my bare hands.”

Cheetah grabs my phone from my hand. He undoubtedly heard both sides of the conversation. He rubs my arm. “Calm down. Let’s just get to the hospital.”

My voice cracks, “I…I can’t lose her. I can’t live without her.”

He visibly swallows. “She’ll be okay. I know she will. Let’s just get to the hospital.”

I wordlessly nod. I think I’m officially in shock.

He speaks into the phone. “Sorry, man. She’s hysterical. Just worried about her sister. We’re on our way. Text me a room number when you get one.”

Cheetah ends the call, and suddenly I feel like my world is ending.

I knew a storm was coming, but I didn’t realize just how dark these clouds were going to be.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

CHEETAH

Idon’t have my car here. We were drinking, so we were going to Uber home tonight. Fortunately, there’s an Uber nearby, and the hospital isn’t too far away.

With my jacket around Kam, I hold her in my arms in the backseat of the Uber as she shakes uncontrollably. I’m trying to whisper reassurances in her ear, but I have no idea what we’re walking into.

If this goes badly, she’ll be permanently wrecked for life. There will be no coming back from it for her. I pray for her sake and Bailey’s that this has a happy ending. I’m terrified that it won’t.

I managed to text Quincy. He and Ripley are now also on their way to the hospital. They were already halfway home, meaning they’re about twenty minutes behind us.

The Uber drops us off at the emergency room door. Kam sprints inside with me hot on her heels. She starts screaming at every employee in sight. No one gives her any answers and she’s freaking out. They keep promising thatthey’ll look into it and that she should sit and wait, but that’s not good enough for her.

It’s mayhem. I’m trying to keep her calm, but it’s an uphill battle.

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