Page 51 of Sunshine with You
Bet it made you smile though! Get anything good?
I did, actually. A package from Hunter showed up on my parents’ doorstep yesterday. Since I’m trying out old hobbies, he got me a few thriller novels, along with a gift card to Board’n’Books. It was a really sweet surprise.
“You okay?” Willa asks, watching me from her side of the couch. “Your face is all frowned up like you just smelled Mom’s mac and cheese.”
“Hey! I heard that.” Mom glares at us.
Fixing my face, I flash a grin. “Yeah, I’m fine.” I don’t know why I made that expression when I read the message. I like Trev; he’s the nice guy I should be looking for. But a message from him isn’t what I wanted to see right now. I shoot off another round of texts to Hunter.
Me
Did you lose your phone?
Should I be worried?
HUNTER…
“You sure you’re good?” Willa asks.
“Yeah. It was Trevor, actually.”
“Uh-oh. I thought you liked him…”
“No, I do. I just…was expecting it to be Hunter. He hasn’t answered any of my messages, and it’s almost lunchtime.”
“I’m sure he’s just busy with family stuff…”
“That’s what makes me nervous. I’ve seen the dynamic between him and his mom. I’m worried he’s spiraling.”
My phone rings in my hand, which is surprising since the only people who call me are sitting in this room.Kayla?She definitely doesn’t call me.
“Hello?” I say slowly, convinced I’m the victim of a pocket dial.
“Ash, hey, um, Merry Christmas…” There’s a nervous edge to her voice.
“Kay, what’s up? Why’d you call? Is everything okay?”
“Um…” She takes a beat before sharing the news. “Hunter’s in the hospital.”
“What?” Jumping from the couch, I knock wrapping paper and bows to the floor. I’m across the room and on the carpeted staircase before I realize I’m climbing it. “What happened?”
“Well, we don’t really know yet. Artie called me sobbing, and Chase and I are headed there now. I just didn’t want you to find out some other way. We’re pulling into the parking garage, so I’ll call you when I have more info.”
I hear the line go dead, but the phone is still up to my ear while I throw clothes into my suitcase one-handed. I have to get back to LA. Make sure Hunter’s all right. Tell him…shit.Tears run down my face, splashing onto the clothes spilling out of my bag as I realize what I want to tell him.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Willa asks from the door. My back is to her, so she doesn’t see the steady stream leaking from my eyes. When I turn to face her, I’m a sobbing wreck, trying to get the words out through snot and tears.
“Hunter…hospital…love…” I choke out, covering my face with my hands. Her arms wrap around me, and I cling to her as I try to regain control of myself. I can’t see through the blurriness, can’t think through my racing thoughts. My body just needs to move. Pulling away, I turn back to my bag and throw things inside. I don’t even know what I’m putting in there, but it was full when I came and needs to be full when I leave.
“Whoa. Hey. Slow down. What happened?”
I wipe my face, shaking my head as I scurry around my bedroom to add more items to the suitcase. “I have to get to the airport,” I say, maneuvering around her confusion.
Willa grabs my arms and holds me in place until I look at her. “Ashlie. What. Happened?”
I open my mouth to answer, but collapse in her arms with another sob. She shoves my luggage to the floor, contents toppling out as she sets me on the bed next to her.
Rubbing circles on my back, she offers soothing instructions. “In through the nose, out through the mouth. Good. Now, what happened?”
