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There’s a rustling, and my dad comes on and clears his throat. “Dev, baby?”
“Yeah, Daddy. I’m okay. Are you okay?”
“Oh, Devon.” His own voice cracks, and I hear his shallow breathing.
My heart hurts at his pain, and I want to hug him so badly that I wrap my arms around my knees. “Daddy, Nate is strong. He’s going to be okay.”
There’s another shuffling, and my dad inhales deeply. “Baby, we just got the call. It wasn’t Nate who was hurt. It was a mistake.”
Relief washes over me, and I whimper. “Thank God.”
His silence turns my blood cold. “Daddy?”
“Devon, it was Bryce in the explosion…”
There’s an ear-piercing, heart-wrenching scream that shakes me to my absolute core. I realize it is me when Quinn rushes in with fear all over her face. That’s the last vision I have.
Jerk, smooth, jerk, smooth…
I open my eyes and focus on the patch of unfamiliar grey leather. There’s a warm blanket over me, and when I look down, I’m in my favorite black sweat suit. My body protests when I turn and hit the back of a seat, and I finally start to have clarity.
I’m in a moving vehicle. Soft voices flow through the car, and I recognize Quinn’s worried tone. Slowly, I sit up and shake my head a few times when I find myself in the back of an SUV with Quinn sitting in the middle seat.
Her head turns toward me, and I immediately remember everything.
Bryce was in an accident.
Nate is okay.
There was a mistake…
“What’s going on?” I glance around and see Crystal watching me carefully. Then I notice Morgan driving. “Where are we?”
“Drink this.” Quinn shoves a bottle of water at me. “You scared the shit out of me.”
I take it and swallow in little sips, my stomach protesting.
“Do you remember anything after the call with your dad?”
I shake my head.
“You blacked out when I was on the phone with Crystal. Morgan was visiting, and they heard your scream. He was coming over to check your tires and looking at snow chains. I had you in my arms when they arrived. He insisted on driving us to Norfolk.”
“How long did I black out?” I ask, completely confused.
Both women look at me with horrified expressions, and I meet Morgan’s eyes in the rearview mirror, flaring with worry.
“What?”
“Dev, you woke up, took a shower, and packed a bag. For the five minutes I left you alone, you also packed another bag for Bryce. Then you made coffee, sent a few emails, and called Bryce’s parents.”
“Oh no!” I cover my face. “Sheila and Dave have to be worried sick.”
Everyone’s face in the car swings to me, and I slink back.
“You don’t remember?” Quinn says quietly.
“No,” I admit.
