Page 125 of Introvert

"The McLaren's faster," Elliot said.

"Motorcycle might be better, depending on traffic," Ryker put in.

"What about a private jet?" Hayden asked.

"That'll work," I said.

"Good thing Gigi stays up late."

I probably should've felt guilty for accepting their help. But honestly, all I knew at that moment was a heavy dose of fear, inspired by the news of my father's ER visit, and gratitude for these people who were my true friends. They hadn't even blinked when I said I needed help. They jumped into action.

I would do the same for them.

A hundred times over.

And it was funny because I realized that I wasn't only in love with Felix.

I loved them too.

And if actions spoke louder than words, the feeling was mutual.

CHAPTER 19

Nothing prepares you to see someone you love in the hospital.

It'sbrutal.No matter what it's brutal.

Possibly even more so if you're a child, and it's someone who raised you, protected you all your life.

Hooked up to machines.

Oxygen tube attached to their nose.

The ominous quiet, only interrupted by the constant beeping.

I inhaled deeply.

Beeping was good, I reminded myself.

It meant Dad was alive, his heart still beating. Even from here,stalled in the entrance to his nondescript, sterile room,I could see his chest rising and falling with the cadence of his breaths. His eyes were closed.Mom'swere too. She was fast asleep in a chair pushed close to the bed, her head resting on the mattress beside their clasped hands.

I looked at them and wanted to cry.

A river of tears.

God, how I'd missed them.

For the entire first week of the tour, I'd stayed awake wondering if I'd made the right decision, wishing I could go home if only to hug them, be near them, see them for a few seconds.When I finally returned, I never thought it would be like this though.

Making sure the door closed softly, I walked into the room, wheeling my suitcase, not stopping until I reached the chair.

"Mom?" I said quietly.

She didn't move.

"Mom?"

"Don't wake her," Dad said. "She's been through a lot."

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