Page 165 of Eternally Yours
I’m just pulling it up when a loud horn blasts from somewhere. I sit up quickly with my phone in hand and look to my right, where the sound is coming from.
Everything happens so quickly.
Headlights blind my vision, growing bigger and bigger as they get closer. The honking of the truck gets louder and louder as it approaches the side of my car.
There’s nothing I can do, there’s no way out of this. So I do the only thing that I can think of. The only thing that matters.
Protect my son.
I wrap my arms tightly around my stomach and duck my head while the sound of crushing metal and shattering glass resonates around me.
My body slams into the door frame as I pray to whoever can hear me. Pray for them to save my boy. A second later, the world turns silent. One last image flashes through my mind, before it all goes black.
Silas.
Chapter forty-six
Silas
Definitely a cursed birthday.
We’re halfway through third period, and I find myself constantly looking up in the crowd where Morgan, Emma, and Aubrey sit. There’s an empty seat beside them, a seat for my wife, who was supposed to be here ten minutes ago but still hasn’t shown.
I have this strange feeling in my stomach. One that makes me want to rush off the ice... I can’t explain it, but my gut is telling me something’s not right.
I’m not focused on the game, I’m missing passes and pucks. I keep tripping over my own skates like an amateur.Jesus, get a grip. She’s probably just sleeping longer than planned and will arrive once we finish up.
Despite my poor playing, we’re still three goals ahead of our opponents. Which is a good thing. If we win, I won’t feel as guilty for being a shit player tonight.
I skate over to the bench, followed by Clay. Once I’m seated, I look back to the girls and find Emma on the phone. Her face turns pale, and she looks panicked. Her eyes flash to mine quickly, and I don’t like what I see in them.
Fear.
She says something to the girls, then they all stand quickly, gathering their things. And within the next second, they’re making their way out of the front row and exiting the arena.
My knee starts bouncing. I turn to Clay, who noticed them leaving too and looks worried. Next, our general manager reaches into his pocket and retrieves his phone, speaking for a few seconds.
His hand comes to his hair and he mutters,“FUCK!”He hangs up and leans over, whispering something into Coach Jefferson’s ear but side-eyes me for a split second.
Shane’s jaw locks tight. I watch his throat bob as he brings his hand over his mouth. He looks at the time, then leans back toward the GM and says something. Our GM rushes off and Shane turns to Clay, bending down to talk into his ear.
I can’t hear what they’re saying, but from the way Burkley’s eyes get a hauntedlook, I know it’s not good. I stand from the bench, but Clay grabs my shoulder and forces me back down.
“Two minutes, Hayes. Just two minutes,” he says.
“What happened? Clay, tell me what happened!?” I rip my helmet off and pull at my hair, imagining the worst.
“She’s going to be okay. Just breathe, Silas.” He tries to calm me down, but I’m losing it.
“How the fuck can you say that!? Something happened to my wife, and you won’t tell me!” I’m making a scene, and it’s gathering people’s attention.
I need to calm down, I need to breathe.My hands are shaking while I start hyperventilating.Fuck, I feel like I’m going to be sick.
“I can’t go back out there. I can’t,” I tell Clay as I try to take in a lungful of air.
“You’re not, Coach isn’t putting us back on the ice. But we can’t leave before the buzzer. Just one more minute. The second it rings, we’re out of here.” He places his hand on my back as I lean forward, elbows on my knees and head in my hands. My entire body shakes as I try to breathe.
Coach comes behind us and leans over. “Security is holding back the press, and there are others at every entrance and exit to clear your path. Just drop your gear and get out of here, no need to do anything else. We’ll take care of it. I’ll hold off the team as well to leave you two some time to move.” He squeezes my shoulder and gives me a sympathetic look. “She’s going to be okay, Silas.”
