Page 43 of A Perfect Match
Jackson’s brows draw together.“Is this part of the Keegan connection, or…”
Something heavy forms in the pit of my stomach.
“This isn’t exactly normal,” Bella says.“They probably don’t know we’re all here together.”
Griffin answers his phone first, and then I swipe mine on.
“Dane?”
“Piper.”Dane’s voice cracks, and immediately my limbs are coated in dread.
“What is it?”I croak out, watching as Griffin’s face falls across the living room.
He lets out a ragged sigh.“Mom’s bakery caught fire.She was inside when it happened and—”
The words land with a sonic boom.Everything goes loud inside my head, and then eerily silent.I’m not even sure he’s still speaking.The world has slowed to molasses around me.
“Come to the hospital,” he finishes.
I’m not aware of saying anything.Of hanging up.But the phone is in my lap a moment later and I’m pressing a hand to my mouth.Bella is looking at me, nodding, as she says into the phone, “Yeah.We’re on our way.”
Bella’s face is grave as she turns to Jackson.“Aunt Laura was caught in a fire at her bakery.We need to go to the hospital immediately.”
“I can drive,” Jackson blurts."Our car's right outside."
I don't argue.Minutes later, we're piled into their shiny black car, racing toward Bayshore Memorial while Bella instructs Jackson where to turn.In the back, I’m weak against the door, unable to stop my mind from cycling through worst-case scenarios.Dane’s voice betrayed Mom’s condition.I’m worried we’re going to show up there and she’ll be gone.
I squeeze my eyes shut, tears escaping.This can’t be happening.
Griffin's jaw is clenched tight.He reaches over to squeeze my shoulder.I see all the same fears reflected in his brown eyes.“We don’t know anything yet, Pipes.Let’s hope for the best.”
The hospital comes into view, its emergency entrance bustling with activity.Jackson drops us off so we can find out what’s going on and promises to wait for us until we have news.
Inside, the ER waiting room is full of people, but I spot my dark-haired brothers immediately.Dane is pacing back and forth, running his hands through his hair.When he spots us, relief flashes across his face.
"Jett!Dane!"I call, pushing through the crowd with Griffin and Bella in tow."Any news?"
Dane’s face is tight with worry."They're assessing her now.Smoke inhalation, some burns on her legs.Asher's trying to get more information from the doctors."
"They won't let us back there yet," Jett adds, frustration evident in his voice."They’re working to stabilize her, and they say a doctor will be out to talk to us soon."
“But…is she…” I can barely finish the sentence.My throat tightens and more tears escape.
Nobody answers me.Because nobody knows.Bella wraps her arms around me and squeezes.For now, that’s the only answer I’ve got.
CHAPTER TWELVE
PIPER
The next few hours are the longest of my life.We wait, pacing the cramped waiting room, taking turns getting coffee no one drinks, checking our phones as if they might suddenly provide answers.Jackson eventually joins us, and of course he’s recognized.He signs an autograph and poses for a picture, but mostly he stays close, offering quiet support.Bella keeps her arm linked through mine, a steady presence while everything else spins out of control.
Finally, a tired-looking doctor emerges, clipboard in hand."Keegan family?"
We all hop to our feet and advance on her.She offers a small smile, but it doesn’t last long.
"I have good news…but I also have bad news," she says."Your mother is stable…but she needs monitoring for the next few days.She suffered severe smoke inhalation and second-degree burns on her legs from apparently trying to help others evacuate.We've got her on oxygen and pain management.She's in a coma right now.The next few days are critical.”
I’m wading through the doctor’s words, struggling to make sense of this.Coma?Severe?
