Page 94 of Shattered Hearts

My head shakes. “We don’t know that.” My voice is quiet against the wind.

“I get headaches on a regular basis. What if it’s genetic?” he murmurs, as if he’s thinking aloud.

“You get migraines. That’s different, and it might not be genetic,” I say.

There’s a tug in the corner of his mouth. “But what if it’s not just migraines?” He pauses. “What if it’s worse than that? What if I end up here in twenty years’ time?”

“We don’t know that for sure.”

“I know,” Reid breathes out quietly as a car passes, kicking up water in the gutter. “We just have to wait and see, which is why I needed to come out here. I couldn't be in there a minute longer.”

His fingertips press against his eyes and he lets out a frustrated exhale. My hand rests on his shoulder, squeezing it loosely as Reid shakes his head.

“Maybe there’s something they could test to find out?” I offer, trying to sound a tiny bit positive.

Reid’s chin lifts, elbows resting on his knees. “Maybe. I could ask the doctor when he comes in to check up on her.”

I nod. “They’re the best to ask.”

“Yeah, I know.” He sighs again. “It’s just a lot to take in, hearing that about Mum and thinking that I could have the same thing.”

My teeth dig into my bottom lip as I glance around briefly. “We should wait until we know before you freak out. It might not be the same thing you’re dealing with. Maybe it’s just chronic migraines like they told you years ago.”

Reid nods, eyes focused on the redbrick building opposite us before turning to face me. “You’re right. I just needed to hear someone tell me that I was overthinking.”

“That’s what brothers are for.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Grayson

Idon’t know how long Laynie slept for in that chair, but she slowly wakes up when the announcement for visiting hours ends. Macie sits in the chair beside Laynie, and Dad is on the other side of the bed where Mum continues to rest. I stand with my arms crossed over my chest listening to Reid, Cole, and Holden talk about their plans for tomorrow for coming to see Mum.

“Hey,” I hear Laynie whisper.

Macie flicks her brows, silently asking how Laynie is as I walk to her side. “You okay?”

Laynie nods, and I help her to her feet. “I need to pee.”

Biting back a smile, I nod, and she quickly walks out only to return to a half empty room. It’s just Dad and I; the others have moved out into the hallway. I have her bag slung over my shoulder, and instead of handing it over, I tangle our fingers together, leading Laynie out into the hallway.

“We’ll meet you back at the ranch?” Reid asks, holding his keys in his hand.

Laynie peers up at me, and I nod, “I’ll drive Laynie back.”

“All right. I’ll take Dad and Macie.”

Holden nods at Cole, Aspen asleep on his shoulder, and we walk out into the blistering cold air and drizzle. Laynie nuzzles against me, and I pull her hood over her head to keep her hair dry. Helping her into the passenger seat, I get in myself and switch on the beaten-up engine. Betsie rattles to life, quite literally, and I peel out slowly. Windscreen wipers moving rhythmically, rain pattering against the glass and roof, we get onto the main road leading to Ashwood Creek.

“Are you okay?” Laynie asks.

“Yeah,” I let out roughly, hand wrapping tighter on the gearstick. “I will be. Mum will be.”

She’s silent again, and when I think she won’t say anything else, fingers curl over mine over the stick. My heart flutters as my other hand holds the wheel, soft country music coming through the retro speaker.

“How was your appointment?” I ask, remembering that she was there earlier with her mum.

Laynie shifts in her seat, and my abdomen muscles tense. “Umm… it was okay.”