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My girl is standing outside waiting for me. The thought of not making it out tightens my chest. My head spins as Zac coughs next to me. Is this how it ends?
Matt hadn’t saved our sister, saved me, for my time to end like this.
I can't stay here.
I can't die next tohim.
I groan as I roll over, pulling in whatever I can to help me breathe as I force myself onto my knees. I push up and my body sways. I just want to lay down and close my eyes. I grab Zac.
"Austin!"
Her cries have my head whipping around.
"Mia, stay the fuck outside!" Sawyer yells.
There’s no way I'm allowing her to come back in here, so I have to get my ass outside. "You're going to get to your feet. Now!"
Zac groans.
"Broken ribs hurt like a bitch, don't they!" I cough.
He pushes to his feet, and we flounder in the darkness. Light flashes through the smoke, another beacon. My foot hits something hard, the table? I feel around and then push Zac at it. My arm drives home another type of pain, but I ignore it as he clambers up, groans leaving him with the effort. I follow him, ignoring the glass that cuts into me. My lungs scream with each movement, stars wink in my vision, threatening to take me out. As my back hits the sidewalk, and my girl's hands are touching my face, I feel like the luckiest man in the world, and then I pass out.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE ¦ THE L WORD
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Austin
We'd left the hospital eighteen hours after entering it. Smoke inhalation is no joke. The black shit coming up off my lungs needs to fuck off. I'd like to be able to breathe normally again. I re-adjust my aching body without hissing. Second degree burns are no joke either. If I make any sort of noise, I’m inundated with questions. Spending four hours in the back of Kit's truck probably isn't the best idea after the events of yesterday. Kit drives with Sawyer sitting up front. Lucas and Avery are wedged next to us.
I'm not sure their close proximity is a good thing.
Actually, I'm absolutelycertainit isn't.
The tension vibrating off the two of them is as hot as the flames that had licked at me yesterday.
The girls are following behind us in a rental car.
We are nearly in Maine, and I don't know how to squash the emotions that flood my chest, which makes it harder to breathe. My crew, my girl, and Coach had spent the last eighteen hourstrying to get me discharged as soon as possible as they feel I should be here today.
I don't feel the same way.
But I understand why they are pushing for it. As the truck pulls into the cemetery, we turn our heads, eyes darting across the grounds as we aren't sure where it will be taking place.
And then I spot the four people.
Mom.
Amy.
Two men.
"Dad's football buddies." I shift my ass next to Mia, suddenly feeling restless.
"Are you in pain?"
I smile. "No more than usual. Come on, let's get this done."
