Page 142 of That Last Secret

“Let’s go in the bounce house,” I hear Macey say as she takes the kids back outside.

Once they are out of earshot, Marc loses it.

“Fuck,” he screams. Pulling at the strands of his hair, he takes his place on the couch. His elbows rest on his knees, and he looks like he’s going to vomit.

I don’t blame him. I feel it too, but I can’t move from where I stand.

“What do we do?” Oliver asks hoarsely. “Do we rush over there? We’re not even in the city.”

Peyton looks up at me, her face full of fear and sadness.

“We don’t have all the details. Before we put ourselves into a full panic, we have to find out what’s going on. But as your wife, I need to tell you something.”

My insides crumble.

I feel dizzy as my stomach swirls with nerves.

“Your sister,” she says, clearing her throat as she nervously wrings her hands together. “She’s going to need you.”

“What does she have to do with this?” Marc spits out as he stands quickly from where he was just seated.

“It’s not my place to tell you the rest.” Peyton shakes her head. “But she’s going to need her big brothers. She’s going to need support.”

My eyes look over to Avery to try and read her face. Being in my line of work, I can read people like a book. I know when they are hiding something from me and are reluctant about taking the offer I put on the table. But Avery’s face remains passive.

She knows too.

“My sister,” I say flatly.

“And Logan,” Marc adds, jaw clenched tight.

The silence in the room is so loud right now.

The journeyto the hospital felt like the longest drive back into the city. For now, it’s just Thomas and me because the girls wanted to stay back and give both of us some space until we figure out what’s going on.

Not knowing the fate of my best friend,ourbest friend, has left me a complete head case with nerves for many reasons, only to have to worry about my baby sister on top of that. Emilline is at the hospital now, and from the sounds of it, she’s not taking this well.

And based on the girls’ response at the house, there’s way more to the story.

How long have they been going behind our back?

How long have the girls known about this and said nothing?

I want to be furious like Thomas right now. Honest to God, I think there’s smoke coming out of his head. But I don’t have theenergy for it because two people I love are hurting in their own way.

I’m optimistic enough to know Logan will be fine.

I know Emiline well enough to say she’s the strongest girl I’ve ever known.

“I’m looking for Emiline Ford,” I tell the receptionist when I enter the hospital.

She clicks away on her computer for a moment. “And your relation?”

“I’m her brother. Marc Ford.”

She nods. “She’s still in room 18 in the emergency room.”

“She’s a… patient?” I ask, my voice getting stuck in my throat.

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