AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sunny’s terror-stricken voice comes from behind me, along with Lily’s broken soothing. I crane my neck for a glimpse of anything, but I still can’t see Alex. Paramedics flood the ice. Most of them go to where Alex is surrounded, but one heads for Cockburn. He’s moving, so he’s not the primary concern.
Sidney pulls his scout card when we reach security. The closer we get to Alex, the more frantic I am. I push free of my mom and Charlene, but one of the security guards grabs me by the arm before I can get anywhere.
“Let go of me! I’m his fiancée!” I hold up my hand with the monster diamond.
“I can’t let you on the ice.” His face is hard.
I pull at his hand, but he doesn’t loosen his grip. His fingers are like steel. He’s not hurting me, but he could, and I could hurt myself if I can’t calm down.
But I’m not calm. I’m desperate and terrified. My voice is hoarse from all the screaming. “I need to know he’s okay!” Tears stream down my face, blurring my vision as I gesture toward the ice. The closest I can get is the plexiglas, so I press myself against it and watch while the paramedics stabilize Alex’s neck with one of those brace things.
He’s too far away. I have too many questions. I’m so scared. “Why are they doing that? Why isn’t he moving?” I look to Sidney for answers, but he doesn’t have any.
Sunny folds me in an embrace, and I realize she’s as scared as I am. He’s her brother. He’s my life. And we have no idea what his injuries are or how bad it is. They lift him on to the stretcher and wheel him toward us.
“Out of the way!” the paramedic yells.
Sunny and I are pulled aside. I get the briefest glimpse of Alex. Of his ashen face. Of the laceration cutting across the bridge of his nose. The trail of smeared blood across his cheek.
All of those things terrify me, but nothing compares to the crushing fear that swallows me at his complete and utter stillness.
And then we’re running. Sidney’s practically carrying me as we follow the EMTs. I’m gripping Sunny’s hand as we go. I’m so desperate to touch him. Be near him. Feel his chest move and make sure he’s breathing. Flashing lights greet us as the doors burst open. They’re ready for him, lifting the stretcher into the ambulance, Alex’s limp body rocking with the movement.
“Wait!” I try to break free of Sidney’s grip, but he holds on even tighter. “I’m coming in that ambulance.”
One of the EMTs puts up his hands. “You need to calm down, ma’am.”
“I’m his fiancée! I need to go with him!” I can’t seem to take a breath, and my words are stilted.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t let you go in your condition. It’s not safe.” He looks to Sidney, whose arms I’m clawing at, trying to get free so I can be with Alex.
Beneath my hysteria, I know he’s right—that I’m likely a distraction and a hazard—but I can’t stop the panic.
“I don’t want him to be alone.” I’m sobbing again, struggling and failing to keep myself together.
Sunny steps forward with her hand raised. “I’m his sister. Can I go?”
The EMT assesses her state. She’s so much calmer. “Get in. We need to go. Now.”
Sunny looks to me, as if she needs permission. I can’t speak any more, so I flail a weak hand toward the ambulance.
One of the EMTs helps her up. They’re already hooking Alex up to monitors. Sunny’s shoulders curve in; one palm presses against her face, and the other settles on Alex’s arm. It should be me in there. I can’t breathe. He’s my everything.
The doors close with a heavy slam, cutting off my view, and drive away with my life, sirens blaring.
It’s what my heart would sound like if it could scream, too.6Too Close to the EdgeVIOLETThankfully the crowd hasn’t spilled out of the arena yet to gum up the parking lot and exits. Sidney’s driving with my mom in the passenger seat. I’m in the back, sandwiched between Charlene and Lily. The ride to the hospital is painful. I feel like I’m going to barf. My whole body is numb and hyper-alert at the same time.
Buck calls my phone minutes after we pull out of the parking lot. I try to answer, but my hands are shaking too badly for me to hit the button.
“Here. Let me get it.” Charlene gently pries the phone from my hands and brings it to her ear. “Hi, Miller… She’s right here with me. He’s in the ambulance, and we’re following. Sunny’s with him. Vi’s having a hard time. I know… Yes… No.”
“I want. To talk. To him.” I hiccup through the words and hold out my hand.
