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Did I waste these past few months?
Were they the last few months... Jesus, I can’t even finish the thought.
Whatever they’re telling Coach causes his shoulders to sag, and tears stream down his face as he drops into the kitchen chair.
Nattie sobs hysterically next to him before Coach ends the call.
I don’t know if I can do this.
I take a step back. I don’t think I can be here for this.
Coach opens his mouth to speak, and it seems like minutes pass before the words slip past his lips. “They’ve got them. They’re in bad shape. But they’ve got them.”
My phone vibrates in my hand.
I’ve been holding it for hours in case Jessie calls, but I can’t answer it now. Not when Coach is still speaking. Only I’m not sure I’m processing his words.
“What?”
Everyone’s eyes swing to me in slow motion. “They’re hurt, Carys.” Coach repeats himself. “They’re being taken to a military hospital in Germany.”
“He’s alive?” I whisper, scared to believe it.
Nattie turns with rage shining from her eyes. “Yes, he’s alive! Of course, he’s alive. What the hell is wrong with you, thinking he might not be?” she screams as if possessed.
Brady holds her in his arms, murmuring soft words the rest of us can’t hear while she cries.
I look at the phone in my hand, then back up at Nat. “I just got a message from Jessie.” I look at her and watch the anger rising in her cheeks. “She’s at her house with my roommate Emerson.” My words are slow, as if stuck in molasses.
“What the hell is wrong with you, Carys?” Nat yells.
I get it. She needs someone to yell at right now.
Some way to exercise the fear that’s been building to impossible heights all day.
That continues to threaten us with the idea that he’s safe but hurt.
Cooper ishertwin. They have a bond, one that everyone in this room knows and understands and expects.
And because I wouldn’t let him tell our family when he wanted to, they have no idea what this man means to me.
I look at my phone again, then at Nattie before fear and regret claw their way up my throat. “I’m going to call Jessie to see if she heard anything we haven’t.” I step toward the door, but Mom stops me.
“Why don’t you call from in here, honey? That way, we’ll all know what’s happening.” She’s looking at me in a funny way, like she doesn’t understand what’s going on with me, but then again, I guess she wouldn’t.
I hit Jessie’s name on the screen, then wait as it rings once before Theo answers, “Carys...”
“Theo.” My voice shakes. “Why are you answering Jessie’s phone?”
He ignores my confusion. “Carys... Did you hear about Cooper? Have they found him?”
Someone behind me says something, but I tune them out. “All we’ve been told is that they found the guys, but they’re in bad shape.” The phone shakes in my hands, and it takes me a moment to realize it’s because I’m shaking.
“Two guys dressed in full uniform came to the house. They were here to ask Jessie if she could come with them. They were about to go to Emerson’s house before they realized she was already here.”
I lean back against the wall for support.
“Why were they going to Em’s?”
