Page 86 of The Summer Plans

“You won’t. We’re not going to think like that.”

“Are you mad?” The question feels childish coming out of my mouth, and I drop my head.

Raven scoffs. “Why would I be mad?”

“This is a lot to process. You found out your best friend has been sneaking around with your brother, and he knocked her up.”

She clears her throat, getting my attention as I look up at her. “Well, I set you up, so I shouldn’t be surprised. And I’d love another niece or nephew.”

Tears well in my eyes, and I wave my hands in front of my face. “It’s just a lot all at once. You got me all flustered when you showed up and then I lost my words, and I didn’t stand up for him before he left. He doesn’t know I’m pregnant and I’m worried he doesn’t want any more kids but I’m trying not to stress, even though it’s not stress causing my miscarriages, it’s my stupid heart-shaped uterus. I don’t know where RJ and I stand and I don’t know what will happen with this baby or if he even wants it. And my emotions are all over the place because of the pregnancy hormones so everything feels like a bigger deal.” My words come out in a torrent, so fast that I’m almost out of breath.

“Breathe. You’re feeling a lot of things.”

I nod as she grabs us some snacks and motions for me to join her on the couch. An hour goes by, even though it feels like it’s only been minutes.

Raven’s phone lights up on the table. Her brow furrows as she answers. She’s speaking in short, clipped sentences, and my alarm bells rise.

There’s a crease in her brow when she hangs up. “There was an accident. The good news is RJ is safe. But they’re taking him to the hospital to get him checked for smoke inhalation.”

“Oh my God.” My chest tightens.

She nods, steady as ever, her voice soothing. “He’s okay. But the bad news is that your place is not.”

“What?” My voice is high and squeaky as I squeeze my thigh to steady myself.

“The fire he was called into was on your street. The townhome a few doors down from yours caught fire and it spread quickly. When RJ got to the scene, he kept arguing with the chief about needing to save your babies.”

My hand flies up to my mouth as my pulse quickens.

“I think they thought he was talking about pets or something, so they let him go. The fire hadn’t spread to your unit yet. He came out of your place carrying several boxes, and as soon as Hardy saw what he was doing he yelled at him to stop, but RJ ignored him. He kept running in and out of the house to grab more boxes. He was in such a rush, he never put his gear on. Even when the house caught on fire, he kept running back in. Eventually, he collapsed in the yard.”

“My books.” Tears well in my eyes. “I called my books my babies. He was saving my books.”

“Well, it sounds like he saved a bunch of them. And they were able to get the fire under control so you might not have lost everything.”

“I don’t care about that right now. I need to see him. Can you drive me?”

Raven nods. “Of course.”

CHAPTER 29

RJ

“Let us through, we’re family,” I hear my sister shout as the door to my room swings open.

Raven strolls over to my bed, her expression unreadable. Is she mad? Worried?

Lowering my oxygen mask, my voice is raspy as I try to speak. “I’m fine.”

She leans over me, tugging me into a hug. It’s out of character for her, and I awkwardly lean up so she can wrap her arms around my shoulders as I pat her back.

Movement behind her catches my attention, and I lock eyes with Summer. “I love her, Raven. I’ve always loved her, and there’s nothing you can say that will make me walk away from her again.” My words are meant for Summer even though I’m speaking to my sister.

Raven stands. “Fucking hell, you’re dramatic. And an idiot. I’m not asking you to walk away from her. And what do you mean ‘again’?”

“After you dared us to kiss, we snuck off together for about a week after⁠—”

“I know.”