Page 185 of Skate the Line

I reach over Marco and pull on his seatbelt. “We got in an accident. I’m going to drive us to the hospital because I can’t find my phone. You’re hurt.”

He says nothing, and I don’t have time to waste. I push the dread of going to a hospital away and do what I have to do.

“Come on.” I pull on his hand. Glass sprinkles toward me from the broken window when I get him to his feet. I wrap my arm around his waist, and thankfully, he’s coherent enough to put his arm around my shoulder.

Our blood ends up mixing together by the end from the little cuts on both of us.

Once he’s settled into the passenger seat, I rush to the driver’s side and glance back at Ellie.

Her eyes are glossy. “Is he going to be okay?”

I smile, though it’s fake. “We’re going to make sure he is. Zip your coat. It’s going to be a little chilly because of the window, okay?”

She quickly does as I say, and I slowly put the car into drive.

This is unsafe, but what choice do I have? I can’t leave Ellie here and search for help, and I don’t know how long it’ll be until someone comes. The other car is long gone.

I hope Rhodes isn’t angry with me for doing this.

Marco groans and grabs onto his side in pain.

“Hang on, Marco. We will be there in ten.”

“We need to get you looked at, Allison.”

I cringe at the name, hating that the same ER receptionist from the last time I was here recognized me right away. Ellie glances up at me from my lap with her sleepy gaze full of confusion.

“I’m fine,” I reiterate. The nurse eyes me with frustration, and I silently mouth, “I’m not leaving her.” Referring to Ellie.

She sighs with frustration but eventually walks away and heads to the doctor at the end of the hall. I can tell she’s tattling on me, for the third time since arriving, but I make no move to get up. Ellie and I have been sitting in this chair for who knows how long, waiting for news about Marco.

The ER receptionist, along with all the nurses, immediately stood when we walked through the doors.

It didn’t take long for them to take Marco back due to his confusion. When they came for me, already having my file in hand, I politely refused. I told them I wasn’t leaving Ellie with someone random, and I’m sticking to that.

My nerves are already spent, and the thought of being separated from her makes my heart rate go through the roof.

So, we wait.

The longer we wait for news about Marco, the harder my head pounds.

Rhodes is going to flip out when he finds out what happened.

“I’m tired,” Ellie whispers.

I glance at her long blinks. “Me too. We will go home soon, okay?”

She nods and snuggles in closer.

I’m not sure how we’re going to get home. Without my phone, I’ve had no way to call anyone for help. The only numbers I have memorized are my nana’s and Ruby’s—and they’re not going to be of any help.

Ellie eventually falls asleep against my chest, and I clamp my arms around her. I place my head on top of hers and try to keep my eyes open for as long as I can, because I think I might have a concussion like Marco.

But with Ellie draped over me, safe in my arms, I eventually doze off. The doctor will come get me when Marco is through with his tests, and then we can figure out what to do next.

Fifty-Four

RHODES

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