Page 42 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

“I bet. I’m sorry I interrupted your class. I really didn’t know what else to do. I might have panicked a little when we couldn’t calm him down.”

“It’s okay. I mean, we can’t do that again, but today was an exception.”

Vaughn nodded before reaching up to grip Sam’s neck gently. “Henry says we need to go see your dad. He’s not feeling well today.”

Sam’s eyes widened, but Vaughn held him steady. “Okay.”

“If it’s okay with you, I’ll have Nana take your car back to the house, and we’ll go with you to your dad’s.”

Vaughn really didn’t want to try to separate Sam and Ollie so soon, and he also wanted to be there for Sam as he checked on his dad.

Sam nodded. “Nana won’t mind?”

“I’m sure she won’t.” Vaughn stroked his thumb over Sam’s jaw gently.

“Principal McNeely stopped me when we were walking out. She said you were a catch and congratulated me.”

Vaughn grinned and wiggled his eyebrows a little. “I’m a great catch.”

Sam chuckled. “Let’s go check on my dad.”

Nana happily agreed to drive Sam’s car home so he passed over his keys. Once she was on her way, he climbed into the passenger seat and directed Vaughn to his dad’s house. When they pulled into the driveway, Sam gasped. “He didn’t.”

Vaughn looked around and noticed a ladder leaning against the front of the house. Before he could ask questions, Sam scrambled out of the car and hurried to the front door. He flung it open without knocking.

“Stay in the car,” Vaughn said. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

The kids all looked tense after Sam’s reaction, but Ben nodded and he knew the older boy would keep them all calm. Their hellhound guard was with them as well, so he wasn’t leaving them unprotected.

Vaughn hurried after Sam, going through the open door. He didn’t have to go far. Sam knelt by the couch where his dad was stretched out and in obvious pain.

“What happened?” Vaughn asked.

“He’s got a bad back and decided it would be a fantastic idea to go up a ladder and clean his own damn gutters even though he knew I was coming by this afternoon and could have done it.”

“I’m not helpless,” William barked. “Who are you and what are you doing in my house?”

“Dad! Don’t be an ass. He’s my friend, Vaughn.”

William’s eyes narrowed on Vaughn. “I know you. You’re one of the Jerricks.”

“I am,” Vaughn said.

“Hmm. You related to Jean?”

“Yessir, I’m her grandson.”

William tried to sit up but gasped in pain again. Vaughn squatted down beside Sam and reached for William’s wrist. He checked his pulse, worried over how fast his heart was racing. “On a scale from one to five, what’s your pain level?” Vaughn asked.

“I’m fine,” William answered.

He clearly wasn’t.

“I’ll call an ambulance.”

“You will not!” William shouted.

“Dad! You’re obviously hurt. We need to get you to the doctor.”