AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Trevor moved this big boulder off the trail so we could pass, but then the soil shifted or something because the next thing I knew, the thing was rolling down the side of the hill and took Trevor with it. It was a huge ravine. I couldn’t even see him. He was so far down.”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I braced for the worst. “Is he okay?”
“I don’t know,” she wailed, a gut-wrenching sob lumbering out of her. “We’re at the hospital, but they won’t tell me much because I’m not family. His mom and brother are on the way, so hopefully I’ll know more soon, but I’m so worried, Zac. He wasn’t even conscious when they put him in the ambulance.”
I had so many questions. How had she gotten help? How had they gotten him out of the ravine? Had she rode in the ambulance with him? What were his vitals? What were his injuries? What had the first responders told her?
But I didn’t ask her any of that. Only one question mattered right now. “Where are you?”
“I’ll text you the address of the hospital. We’re in the emergency department still.”
“Okay, stay calm. I’ll leave right now,” I said, checking my watch. “I should be there around nine.”
“Thank you. Layla can watch Gray?”
“Yeah, I’m sure she will. Don’t worry about Gray, just take care of yourself, and try not to freak out. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Call me if you hear anything or if you guys get moved out of the ED.”
“I will.”
We got off the phone, and I emerged from the bathroom, adrenaline coursing through me. But since I was used to emergencies, I also knew how to keep myself in check. I swallowed back my fear and worry—not just for the fate of the guy I was really starting to view as family, but also for my sister, who loved him—and walked back to the dining room.
“Everything okay?” Layla asked, keeping her voice light, but I could see the wariness in her eyes.
I nodded and took her hand, bringing her over to the front door. “There’s been an accident. Trevor was hurt while they were hiking, and they’re at the hospital now.”
Layla’s shoulders straightened in alarm, but she kept her face neutral for Grayson’s benefit, making me proud. “How is he?”
“Jo didn’t really know, but I want to go there to be with her.”
“I’ll stay with Gray,” she said, cutting in before I could even ask.
“You sure you don’t mind?”
I looked over my shoulder at him, relieved to find him eating pizza and chatting with Lyndi without a care in the world. I had no doubt in my mind that he’d be safe and happy with them while I went to be with my sister.
Layla put a hand on my shoulder, urging me to look at her. “Of course I don’t mind. You go. Be with your sister. He can stay here as long as you need him to. If you want, you can give me your key, and I’ll go get clothes and stuff for him to spend the night.”
I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” she said again. “And please call with updates.”
“Will do.” With a grateful nod, I went back to the dining room and kneeled down so I was eye level with Gray. “Hey, bud. I have to go take care of something, and it’s an emergency. Will you be okay to hang out here with Layla and Lyndi while I’m gone?”
He frowned in confusion, but it wasn’t laced with worry. He couldn’t see past the mask of control I wore. He shrugged. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
“Good. It might be overnight,” I said, taking my apartment key off my key ring and putting it on the table, “so Layla is going to take you back to our place to help you pack a bag so you can have a sleepover.”
Looking past me, he grinned at her. “Sure. Can we camp in the backyard?”
Layla gave him a regretful smile. “Ah, I don’t have the camping gear yet, buddy. I’m sorry. Next time, for sure.”
“It’s okay. It’ll still be fun. I’ve never had a sleepover anywhere but Grandma and Grandpa’s.”
“I know,” I said, tilting my head to catch his eye again. “And I want you to be on your best behavior, all right? Please listen to them and mind your manners.”
“I will.”
“Thanks, bud. Okay, I love you.”
He leaned in so I could hug him. “Love you, too, Dad.”
Layla walked me to the door, and I gave her a quick rundown of where we kept his pajamas and toothbrush and whatever else he’d need. “Oh,” I added, reaching into my pocket to pull out the ever-present EpiPen, “and here’s this. He’s got one in his backpack, too, so you can bring that when you get his stuff.”
She took it and nodded. “Don’t worry, Zac. I won’t let anything happen to him.”
“I know you won’t,” I replied, putting my hand behind her head and bringing her close so I could kiss her forehead.
Then I jogged to my truck, eager to get on the road. I didn’t know what the situation would be like when I got there, but I knew I had to be with Jo either way. I was worried for her and for Trevor, but absolutely no part of me was worried about Grayson. Trusting Layla with him at that moment had been the easiest thing I’d ever done.
