Page 93 of Catch You

I don’t see the hallway before me; I just take off—until I come to an abrupt stop as I crash into something. Someone. Warm hands grip my upper arms to steady me, and when I look up, I find those mesmerizing green eyes staring down at me.

“Harlow, are you okay?” Fletch asks, concern lacing his voice. “I just saw Corey and?—”

“Ah, perfect timing. We need to get Harlow to the hospital, now,” Reese announces.

“Shit, are you okay?” He looks me over like there might be something wrong with me.

“Her aunt’s been taken in.” They share a look that makes me wonder how much they really know about my life before Fletch jumps into action.

“Okay, let’s go. You ready for a fast ride?” he asks me. On any other day, I’d blush like a tomato, but today I barely register his words as I follow him with Reese by my side to the exit.

I’m on autopilot as I climb into the back of the black Range Rover I’m directed to. Both Fletch and Reese talk to me. I hearthe sound of their words, but I don’t register any of them. The only time I speak is to give directions, but it soon becomes apparent that Fletch knows exactly where he’s going, so I fall silent as I watch the world outside pass in a blur.

It feels like only minutes later, Fletch is pulling up in front of the hospital so I can climb out.

“I’ll park and meet you inside.”

“No, no. You two can go. I’ll be fine.”

Totally ignoring my words, Reese pushes the door open and steps out beside me. “I’ll message you where we are.”

Fletch nods before she closes the door and links her arm through mine.

I walk into that hospital not knowing if my aunt is dead or alive. She’s here, under this roof, with terminal cancer. Nothing good is coming out of this, but just how bad is it?

Seeing as I cut the woman off on the phone before I had a chance to find out where she is, we have to stop by reception. But in only moments, Reese has me in the elevator and we’re riding to the fourth floor.

“You don’t have to do this.”

“I know, but I want to.”

“Hi, I’m here for Mrs. Winslow,” I say to the nurse who’s sitting behind the desk when we walk into the ward.

“Perfect timing. The doctor is with her now. I’m assuming you’re …” She looks down at her computer. “Harlow?”

“Yes.”

“Please follow me.”

“I’ll wait here,” Reese says, pointing to a couple of chairs.

“You can go, it’s okay.”

“I’ll call Brooke.”

“Thank you,” I mouth as I rush behind the nurse to find out what’s going on.

It’s not the first time I’ve seen my aunt hooked up to machines in a hospital bed, but unlike previously, this time I have no idea if she’ll get through it.

“Your aunt had a severe seizure. She was very lucky that it happened while she was in the garden and her neighbor saw her.”

Guilt slams into me. I should have been there. I should have been keeping an eye on her, but I was enjoying myself with Corey.

“She was unconscious when the paramedics got to her. There are no guarantees with anything here, Ms …”

“Harlow.”

“Harlow,” the doctor nods. “But with your aunt’s medical history and the progression of her disease, I would be surprised if she recovers from this. It’s still early days, but the signs aren’t positive, I’m afraid. I’m so sorry.”

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