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Hearing him talk about Sam just makes me cry harder as I hold Aaron tighter.
“Sadie,” Beau says, “I called your dad. After I got off the phone with my mom, I realized I didn’t know anyone else’s number and figured he had everyone else’s. He said he’s on his way.”
I don’t let go of Aaron, just nod. “Okay.”
The older couple checks in on Heather and Justin as Beau stares at the smashed truck in shock.
We hear tires flying down the dirt road, and when lights shine on us, we all take in a silent breath. One at a time, all our parents show up.
“Sadie!” I hear my dad yell in a tone I’ve never heard from him as he slams the car door and races to me.
“Daddy!” I finally let go of Aaron, only to rush into my dad’s arms.
He holds me tight, and I’ve never felt so safe in my life. To go from something so frightening to being okay just by a hug is something only a daddy can provide.
Aaron’s mom, Debbie, rode with my dad, and she races from the passenger side of the car to Aaron’s side, who is standing there without a shirt on and speckles of blood covering his face.
“I’m here, sweetie. Are you okay?” Dad asks, patting my hair down.
“I am, but Sam,” I cry out.
“Shh … it’s okay. They’re helping him. He’ll be okay.”
Justin’s and Heather’s parents, as well as Beau’s mom, all arrive, and we all thank God in that moment and pray that he’ll watch over Sam as well.
“Come on. Let’s get you home,” Dad says.
He starts to walk me off, and I stop him.
“We have to go to the hospital for Sam.”
“His parents know to call me with any info. We need to let the hospital do their job and not overwhelm the place.”
I nod as he leads me to the car, and Aaron and I hop in the backseat as his mom sits in the front seat.
Once we drive away, I glance at Aaron, and it hits me just how short life really is. Sam, or any one of us, could have been killed tonight. Aaron should have been in that front seat, but he climbed in back because he was trying to be an ass to me. Realizing now how that could have possibly saved his life makes me hurt all over for him.
I don’t know what I would do if I lost him. I might be pissed off at him, but he’s still my best friend, my firefly guy, the one who has always been there for me.
I slide over in my seat and curl up in Aaron’s arms, needing to feel the comfort he can give me in this moment.
He holds me tight as he kisses the top of my head. “It’s going to be okay,” he whispers, and I pray that it will be.
For now though, being with him provides the comfort and stability I need more than ever.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Present Day
I close my eyes and say a silent prayer, like I do every time I think of that night—the scariest time of my life.
I thank God every day for protecting Sam in that accident. He was in the hospital for a week and had to miss the rest of the football season, but he was alive, and that’s all that mattered.
The announcer speaks out to us through the speakers set up all over the stadium, saying, “Here at Mac High, we stand up for the kickoff.”
I instantly stand up and have to stop myself from putting my hands in the air and wiggling my fingers, like we used to.
That is, until Heather hits me from the side, saying, “You know you want to.”
