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“It’s Linc.” I hear Emerson wail in the background and slide down the wall to my butt.
“Theo...”
“Linc’s gone, Carys. He didn’t make it. Jess is trying to get Em to calm down, and one of the dudes called a doctor to come over for her.”
My eyes fly to my mom’s when she sits down next to me, and I grab her hand and hold it close. “Can you let me know how she is? I wish I could be there for her, but...”
“We all know, CC. Let us know how Coop is when you find out, okay? I’ll have Jess call you when she can.”
The sound of Emerson’s wails breaks me, and I end the call and throw my arms around my mom as I cry. “Linc’s gone. He’s dead. Emerson is eight-months pregnant, and he’s dead. Oh my God, Mom.”
My mom runs her hand over my hair as she holds me while we both cry for the sweet man with the southern twang who will never get to see his baby born.
Eventually, I realize everyone in the room is staring at us.
Waiting.
Mom and I climb to our feet, and Coach tugs us both into his strong arms.
“I need to go with you to Germany, Coach.”
My mom runs her hand down my back. “Honey, I don’t think we’ll all be able to get into the hospital.”
“Your mom’s right, Carys. Only two of us are allowed in.” He steps back with sad eyes, having no idea how badly I need to be there.
I guess it’s time to strike the match and burn my world to the ground.
“I need to be one of those two people, Coach.”
“I don’t understand, Carys.” His kind eyes hold an ache and confusion within them.
Nattie steps forward. “What the hell is going on, Carys? It needs to be me. Or it needs to be Declan. Why would you go with Dad?” She’s trying to understand, but anger and accusation lace every word.
“Natalie. Stop.” Declan’s words are strong and clipped. “You’re scared. We all are, but you need to stay here. Let Carys go with Dad.” The room quiets, and my eyes lock with Declan’s, offering him a silent thank-you.
“How long have you known?” It’s the first time all day that I don’t shake when I speak.
“Since he came up for the game last December.” His red, tired eyes never waiver. “He’d want you to be the first person he sees.”
And that’s when I lose every ounce of strength I’d summoned. My entire body trembles as I fight back the tears.
“What the hell are you talking about, Declan?” Murphy’s face is slowly morphing from ghostly white to a furious red. “Why would Carys be the first person Cooper would want to see?”
Sabrina gasps, and Mom’s breath catches in her throat.
Time to watch it burn.
“Cooper and I have been together for over a year.” I don’t tell them about the past few months.
They don’t get to know that.
Not yet.
Maybe not ever.
None of it seems important now.
“What?” Nattie shrieks. “No way. He’d never keep that from me.”
