CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Ashlyn
Sleep doesn’t come easily after Ben and Laney leave. I toss and turn restlessly until daylight filters through the blinds in Ben’s room. It’s been nearly two hours since they left, and I can’t help but wonder if they’ve made it to the hospital yet. Ben said he’d call, but I’m not expecting to hear from him anytime soon. He has enough to worry about with Molly and Laney.
With a sigh, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and grab my phone from the nightstand. I scroll through my contacts until I find Wyatt’s number. He’s probably not going to love an early call on a Sunday morning, but out of all my brothers, he’s the most likely to answer. Nash might be working, Cade will have his hands full with Hunter, and Seb’s probably still asleep after a late shift at Eden.
I hold the phone to my ear as it rings… and rings. Just when I’m sure it’s about to go to voicemail, a sleepy voice finally answers.
“Ash?” Wyatt says, his voice rough with sleep. “You okay?”
“I’m sorry for calling so early,” I say, feeling a little guilty. “Can you come pick me up from Ben’s place in River Falls?”
There’s a pause, and then he sounds more alert. “Why? Did you two argue? Do I need to come kick his ass?”
“What? No!” I laugh softly, though there’s not much humor in it. “Nothing like that. His wife was rushed to the hospital. He and Laney drove to Phoenix and I’m stuck here without my car.”
“Damn,” he mutters. “I’m sorry. Give me ten minutes to get out the door. Text me the address.”
“Thanks, Wyatt. That’s twice you’ve rescued me this week. I owe you.”
He chuckles. “Don’t worry. I’ll collect when the time’s right.”
We end the call, and I quickly send him Ben’s address before tossing my phone back onto the bed. I jump in the shower and brush my teeth before throwing on some clothes and heading downstairs to wait.
About twenty minutes later, my phone buzzes. Wyatt’s name flashes on the screen.
“Hey,” I answer, bringing the phone to my ear.
“I’m outside,” he says.
“Be right there.”
I hang up, grab a bottle of water from the fridge, and head through the entryway. Outside, Wyatt’s car is parked in the driveway. I raise a hand in greeting as I jog toward him. Opening the passenger door, I climb in and give him a tired smile.
“Hey. Thanks for coming to get me.”
“Of course,” he says easily. “Any word yet?”
I shake my head. “Not yet.”
I settle back into the seat of Wyatt’s ridiculously expensive sports car and close my eyes for a second, suddenly drained after a night of tossing and turning. I can’t even imagine how exhausted Ben must be. He’d only just gotten back from Phoenix, and a few hours later, he was driving there again. Part of me wishes he’d let me go with him, but I understand why he didn’t.
“Hey, sleepyhead. You’re home,” Wyatt’s voice cuts through my half-sleep as the car slows to a stop.
“Ugh,” I groan, dragging a hand down my face. “I didn’t mean to pass out on you.”
“It’s fine,” he says. “You needed it. Now get inside and get some sleep. You look wrecked.”
“Wow. Thanks,” I deadpan.
He laughs. “What are big brothers for?”
I smile, tired but grateful. “You’re the best, you know.”
He waves me off. “Come by for lunch later, yeah? Mom’s probably cooking up something, and you shouldn’t be by yourself today.”
“Yeah.” I nod. “I might do that. Thanks again, Wyatt.”
