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Cooper:Just got home from the hospital. Carys has six stitches and a concussion. We’re staying at Trick’s tonight.
Dad:Calling now. Answer your phone.
My phone rings with an incoming FaceTime from my dad, and I swipe to answer the call. “Max already has the jet heading to you. It’s all over the news, son. Daphne saw it. Everyone’s seen it, and everyone’s worried sick. How are you both doing? The news said Carys lost consciousness.”
“I want to talk to Carys,” Katherine demands. “Where is she?”
“She’s in the shower right now. But she should be out soon,” I tell my stepmother, trying to hide the exhaustion and fear currently fighting for control within me. “We don’t need the Kingston jet, Dad. We’re going to see if we can get tickets to fly home tomorrow, or Wednesday at the latest.” I try to hide my growing frustration at being handled after the fucking day we’ve had, but I’m doing a piss-poor job of it.
Carys walks out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her damp skin and sits down on my lap. Her hands circle my waist, and her head rests on my shoulder.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Katherine’s hand flies to her mouth. “Thank God you’re both okay.” Her red eyes well with tears. “When Cooper called... We’re just so lucky you’re both alive and in one piece.”
Dad’s eyes soften when he sees Carys. “Hey, kiddo. How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay, Coach,” she lies. “Just a headache.”
“I was just telling Cooper that Max and Daphne insisted they send the jet for you. I think Daphne wanted to come herself, but Max convinced her you both might want a little space.” I’ll have to remember to thank Max.
“What time will the jet be here?” Carys yawns.
“Not until after midnight. Just let Max know what time you want to leave tomorrow.” Dad wraps an arm around a teary Katherine. “We love you kids.”
“Love you too, Dad. We’ll see you tomorrow.” I slide my finger across the screen and end the call, then put the phone down and wrap my arms around Carys.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine, Cooper.” She holds my face in her hands. “Physically, I’m fine. My head’s going to hurt for a few days. But I’m more worried aboutyou. Talk to me. Tell me how you’re feeling. And don’t tell me you’re fine. You killed a man today, Coop.”
“And I’d do it again if it meant saving your life, Carys. He’s not the first man I’ve killed.” I wrap an arm under her legs and another around her back, then stand and carry her into my room, placing her in the middle of the bed. “I’m going to jump in the shower. Why don’t you decide what you want to order for dinner? The fridge is empty, and you need to eat something.”
“I’m not hungry.” She purses her lips, clearly annoyed with my avoidance.
“Fine. Are you going to call Emerson?” I strip down to my boxers and wait her out.
She stands from the bed and rifles through my closet until she finds the tee she wants and slips it over her head. “I will. I want to see her before we go home tomorrow. I feel like I’m abandoning her.”
“You’re not abandoning her. You’re taking care of yourself.” I pick her phone up from the dresser and hold it out for her. “Call her. We can go see her tonight or tomorrow morning. Your choice.”
She crosses the room and presses her lips to mine. “I love you, Coop.”
“You are the air I breathe, Carys.”
I step outsideinto the backyard, the guilt over my conversation with Emerson eating me alive. “Are you sure you won’t hate me? I feel terrible leaving early. You’ve still got another week before Jack and Theo get back.” Elodie’s fussing in Emerson’s arms as Em and I FaceTime.
“I love you, CC. You need to focus on you and Cooper now.” She adjusts the baby and drops the phone. “Shit.” She grabs it and holds it in front of her again, and I watch Elodie grabbing at Em’s top. “Believe it or not, my mom saw the shooting on the news and called to say she was coming to stay with me for a bit. Didn’t even give me a chance to tell her no. I think it’s the first time in ten years she’s actually wanted to act like a mother. She even sounded excited to meet Elodie.”
Em murmurs something softly to Elodie and offers her favorite binky.
Which Elodie promptly spits out. She stops fussing long enough to scrunch up her adorable little lips and wail at the top of her not so little lungs. “Sorry, CC. I need to give this baby a boob, or she’s going to grow horns and a tail and stab me with a pitchfork. Take care of Cooper, okay? Elodie and I will come see you in Kroydon Hills soon.” Then she chokes up. “I wouldn’t have gotten through the past few weeks without you, babe.”
“Love you, Em. Kiss that baby for me.” I choke back my tears, so incredibly tired of crying. “I’ll see you soon.”
We hang up, and I stare at my phone.
I’ve missed calls from everyone. Aiden, Nattie, Declan, Chloe, Daphne, and Maddie. I’ve even had calls from numbers I don’t recognize.
My voicemail box is full.
