Page 125 of Before We Break

I grab my keys off the hook and rush out the door as fast as my feet can carry me. “I’m on my way, kid. Breathe for me. Stay on the line.”

“Are you hurt?” I put the phone on speaker and set it on the dash.

“I don’t know.”

What does that mean?

I shift the truck into drive and gun it down the side streets, barely registering the stop signs along the way. My heart pounds out of my chest as I rush to get to her. Her heaving breaths fill the silence of the cab. The whole drive is a blur.

I arrive at the high school ten minutes later and throw the truck in park. “I’m here. Where are you?”

Hayden comes out of the double doors with Lexi held tightly in his arms, the front of her silk dress stained red. My hands fist and unfurl at my sides as every muscle in my body pulls taut. “What did you do to her?”

Lexi shakes her head weakly. “It’s not Hayden’s fault. I’m… I think I’m losing the baby.”

My stomach plummets. “Oh, Lexi. Did you call your mom?”

“No. I–I didn’t want to worry her.”

“We need to get you to the hospital.” I take her hand, pulling her away from Hayden. He hasn’t said a word the entire time we’ve been standing here.

She slides into the seat, and I gather her dress and shove it inside before closing the door.

Turning back to Hayden, who’s staring blankly at the ground with trembling hands, I squeeze his shoulder, snapping him out of the trance. “Are you coming or staying?”

He peers over my shoulder at Lexi, his face crumpling as he looks at her. “I’m coming.”

“Get in.”

Once everyone is safely buckled in, I dial Clio’s number and head straight for Oak Ridge Memorial.

The line clicks over, and I can hear other voices in the background as she answers. “Hello?”

The pit in my stomach grows bigger with each second that passes as we inch closer to our destination. “Princess. I need you to not panic, ok?”

Her voice pitches higher. “What’s going on?”

“I have Lexi. We’re on our way to the hospital. We’ll be there in about thirty minutes. Can someone drive you there?”

“What happened? Is she ok?”

“Mommy,” Lexi cries out. She looks so small and weak in the passenger seat.

It’s only now registering that she really is just a kid and her life will never be the same after this.

“Lexi, honey. What’s going on? Are you alright?”

“No. It’s the baby. Please hurry.”

“I’m on my way, sweetheart.”

Clio sniffles. “Noah…”

“I’ve got her, princess. I’ll see you soon.” I say with as much conviction as I can, needing her to believe me.

“Thank you,” Clio chokes out the words.

My knuckles turn white around the steering wheel. I have to get Lexi to the hospital, and then I can take care of Clio, too. I need to make sure both of my girls are ok.