Page 59 of Summer People
I sigh, shoulders deflating. Just what I need.
“There’s no reason to panic?—”
That’s an odd statement. When has he ever known me to panic?
“But Libby crashed into my tree.”
My heart stammers and then takes off to a gallop in my chest. “What?” I choke out. “Is she hurt?”
Without waiting for his answer, I shove my feet into my boots and race out the door, laces flapping. Bing keeps pace. Even he knows something is wrong. Normally he leaps and whimpers and barks his way through town. Instead, he passes me, running at full speed down the hill.
“She’s awake and Eddy’s here and?—”
“I’ll be right there.” I end the call and tuck the phone into my pocket. My hat flies off my head, dropping to the dirt path, but I don’t waste time collecting it.
Two turns later, the cotton candy pink golf cart comes into view, and my stomach drops. Its front bumper is butted up against a large pine tree. Dammit. Libby better be okay.
When I come even with the back tires, I finally see her on the ground with Eddy and Bing hovering over her.
“Are you okay?” My hands shake and my heart pounds, and even as I inspect her, noting that she’s awake and, though she looks a little disheveled, she seems mostly unharmed. “Get back,” I command Bing as I step in front of him and squat.
“Fisher?” Libby blinks at me. “What happened to your hair?”
I’m sure my hair looks like utter shit, but I couldn’t a give a flying fuck about it anymore. Still, if she’s giving me shit, that’s a good sign. Relief washes over me, relaxing my shoulders and almost causing a laugh to slip from my lips.
Eddy narrows her eyes at me, then turns the expression on her brother.
“Why did you call him?”
Wilder, who I only now realize is standing above us, rocks back on his heels and grins. “I want to file a damage report.”
The gravel crunches under me as I push to my feet and clench my hands into fists at my sides. “Libby could be hurt, and you’re worried about the fucking tree?” I snarl.
“Nah.” Wilder chuckles. “I called you because you have a crush on her and I knew you’d want to be here.”
Though the anger drains from me, it’s quickly replaced by the heat of embarrassment creeping up the back of my neck. “I’m not twelve. I don’t have crushes,” I mutter, crouching to focus on Libby.
The fact that she’s not freaking out about spiders has me worried. She’s been sitting on the ground since I got here and hasn’t once mentioned them.
“Is she okay?” Although my eyes don’t leave Libby’s, the question is meant for Eddy.
“She hit her head, but as I was explaining before you came barreling in here like a freight train, since she didn’t lose consciousness and she doesn’t seem confused, I don’t think shehas a concussion. She’ll be okay. But she shouldn’t be alone tonight.”
“I won’t leave her side.” The words fly easily from my lips.
I drop to my ass and tie my boots tight so I can carry her home. Nothing in the world could pull me away from her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
libby
My cheeks heatwith mortification as I frown down at the ground. “I’m fine.” I inhale deeply and let the breath out nice and slow, willing my heart to stop pounding. It’s not the accident that has me out of sorts. It’s Fisher.
“I’m not twelve. I don’t have crushes.”His words whoosh around in my brain, like a fire extinguisher meant to drown out all the silly little thoughts I’ve had about him. I should have known that I’m nothing more than a job to him. A nuisance. An obligation.
I press my fingers into the dirt and push myself up. When I sway to the left, Fisher hops up and sweeps me off my feet. “Still fine?” he rumbles in that cocky, self-assured tone.
I blow out a breath through my nose, averting my gaze. “Let me go.”
