Page 81 of The Summer Arrangement
Fuck. My. Life.
The moment I changed the setting, notification after notification blew up my phone.
Seeing a missed call from Lizzy, Jax, and even my assistant Merna made my blood turn to ice.
Only one mattered, so I instantly connected a call to Lizzy.
It rang once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then it went to voicemail.
Knowing Jax would be close by, I call him next.
He picks up on the first ring. “Hey, man. I’m glad you called.”
“What’s wrong? Is Emilia okay? Lizzy? My fucking phone was on do not disturb, and I’m just now getting notifications.”
Frustration flows through me. I can’t believe I was so stupid. My daughter’s sick for crying out loud. I should know better.
“Okay, man, take a breath. I need you firing on all cylinders so we can figure out how to get you here as soon as possible.”
“What’s going on, Jax?” I spit out. My nerves are wound so tight, it’s taking everything in me not to snap. “Lizzy’s not answering her phone.”
“That’s because she’s back with Milli at the moment and probably can’t pick up. Please sit down and take a breath. I promise I’ll fill you in on everything.”
Sitting on the edge of my bed, I inhale deeply and demand, “Please just spit it out. I’m on the verge of losing my shit. If I don’t get answers… well I… fuck, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“First, you need to know Emilia’s in good hands. We’re at the hospital, and it’s been determined she needs an appendectomy. At the time of her last scan, it hadn’t ruptured, but we won’t know until she comes out of surgery for sure.”
What. The. Actual. Fuck?
This cannot be happening.
Surgery? Did he say surgery? As in she’s in surgery now?
“I need to get to her,” I mutter as I gather my things from the hotel.
“That’s what I’m trying to help you with. I’ve been looking at flights. If you can get to the airport, there’s one that takes off in about an hour, but it’s a long shot. If you can’t make that one, you might have to wait ‘till morning. The first flights leave around five.”
“You’ve already looked into this?” I ask in disbelief.
“Look, man, I’m trying to bring you solutions, not more problems. Tell me what you need, and I’ll make it happen. If you need me to come pick you up so you’re not driving like a crazed lunatic, I’ll leave for Portland now.”
“I’ve got my car,” I mumble, zipping the last of my things into my overnight bag.
Making one last sweep through the hotel room, I’m out the door and bolting to the lobby.
“I’ve gotta check out and get to the airport. I’ll let you know if I make the flight. Have Elizabeth call me.”
“Will do, man. We’re here for you and that precious girl of yours. Just let us know what you need.”
*****
The airport gods are in my favor.
