Page 59 of Something Real with the Sea Monster
Scrambling to my feet, I stagger through the crowd. Someone tries to stop me, but I’m not listening. I’m not listening to the shouts or the throb of the music. I’m only focused on the patch of blue light on the exit sign over the door.
My escape.
I burst out onto the street, gulping lungs full of humid late summer air. It’s not refreshing. Everything is still spinning. I stumble forward. Headlights flash as a car comes around a corner.
“Tegan!”
The voice calling my name propels me into action. I lurch forward, tripping over the curb and onto the street and nearly rolling my ankle in my heels.
A horn blares. There’s a screech of tires. All of a sudden, I realize I’ve misjudged the gap in traffic and there’s a car headed straight for me.
A strong arm wraps around me from behind. I’m scooped up, spun around, and held against a solid, familiar chest, pulled out of danger as the car screeches past.
A sob creeps up into my throat, but I can’t remember why I want to cry.
“Shhh.”
I try to protest, but he’s already walking. “Put me down.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Jack.” I struggle, but his grip is too strong.
“I’m not leaving you here, Tegan.”
“Why not?”
“Tegan, you just walked out in front of traffic.”
I sob, knowing he’s right. Knowing the only reason he’s not leaving is my safety. The minute he gets me home, though? The minute he has a chance to think about what a fucking mess I am, that’s another story. “You won’t stick around after that,” I whisper, tears welling in my eyes.
He stops. Jack looks down at me with a serious expression. “That’s where you’re wrong. Because I don’t give up on fate, Tegan. That’s who I am. And I won’t give up on you.”
I don’t remember much after that. And to be honest, I’m grateful.
TWENTY NINE
Tegan
I’m shaken awake, still groggy, and sit blinking around hoping to god I’m in my own bed. “What time is it?”
It’s still dark, but I can’t see my phone on the nightstand to check the time.
Jack’s tone sends a cold spear of worry through me. “It’s Mia. They’ve been in hospital since last night. She’s been calling.”
“Huh?” I look around for my phone and Jack hands it to me. I squint at the bright screen in the dark and make out the notifications for three missed calls. “What happened?”
“They don’t know yet. Luke said there could be a complication with the pregnancy. They’re monitoring it. They’ll know more later today.”
“Oh god.” I raise my hands to press them over my lips. I feel like I’m going to be sick again, but I don’t know whether that’s the alcohol or my worry over Mia.
“I’m going back to Kraken Cove.” Jack sits on the side of the bed to put on his shoes. The sway of the mattress almost makes me lose it.
I scramble from bed, rushing to the bathroom to bend over the toilet. In the end, all that comes out is a bitter glob of bile that I spit into the bowl.
“Do you want to come?” Jack says from the bedroom.
Of course I want to come. I hate that he wouldn’t just assume that. Does he not want me to come?
