Page 55 of Falling for the Wrong Guy

“These are words every doctor hates to say—but I’m afraid you need to prepare for the worst.”

The doctor might as well have just slammed me into the wall. His words were that brutal to hear. “But there’s still a chance?” I asked.

“As long as he’s alive, then there’s still a chance. However, that chance grows smaller with each passing day. I had hoped we’d see more progress, that he would wake up or at least show some signs that he was trying to make his way back, but the fever has been a big setback. We’re doing all we can, and the rest is up to him.”

Up to him.“I’ll stay awhile if that’s all right.”

“Absolutely. I’ll call his wife and explain the situation.”

“Angie,” I said with a sigh. This was going to destroy her.

The doctor left the room. I walked to the bedside. My phone beeped in my pocket. It had to be Angie. There were only a few people in my life who called or texted me. One was laying in the bed in front of me looking thin and weak and nothing like the friend I grew up with, and the other was his wife, Angie. I couldn’t break the news to her. I just didn’t have it in me yet.

I left the phone in my pocket and leaned down, bracing my fists on the bed, so I could get closer to Quinn. “You’re not doing this, do you hear me, buddy? No damn way I’m letting you slip out of our lives. You’ve got a kid to raise. Remember, when he was born, you said to me ‘I’m going to do this right. Not like my dad, the worthless monster. I’m going to be there for my kid every step of the way.’ Those were your exact words, so you’re not backing out now. You fight this, do you hear me? You’re the strongest person I know. Don’t you dare let me down, Quinn.”

I stepped back and sat in the chair feeling tired, tired of only hearing bad news, tired of constantly trying to make things work and always failing. I pulled my phone out to read Angie’s text. I was sure she had to sneak a second with her phone just to send it. I was surprised to find that the text was from Aria. It was odd and short. Only five letters.Need u.

I never expected to hear from her again. I stared at the text and then it hit me. I flew out of the hospital. It was raining. The streets were slick and the gutters were overflowing with rainwater as I pulled the bike out onto the road. I leaned down lower over the handlebars and twisted the throttle.

It felt like hours, but I made it to Juniper Road in Whisper Cove in less than twenty minutes. I was soaked to the bone by the time I reached the café. The two choppers were parked around the corner.

Adrenaline pumped through me as I yanked off my wet gloves and shoved them into my pocket. I pushed the door open. The twocustomerslooked up from their burgers. They dropped their food and stood up. “The place is closed,” the big one said.

Aria stood behind her counter. Her bottom lip quivered.

“Are you all right?” I asked.

“I’m fine,” she said weakly.

The big one had a deep, coarse laugh. “Hey, Jack, do you know who this is? This is Quinn’s buddy. We’re just sitting here enjoying some lunch, but like I said, the place is closed. You should be on your way.” His last words were a threat.

“I’m not leaving.”

Jack reminded me of a scarecrow who’d been stuck out in the field too long. His lip curled up revealing brown teeth. “Is this your sweetheart? Ice, this whole lunch just got more interesting.” He sat back down and shoved the burger into his face.

“Is that right, Dex? Is this your sweetheart? You staying here to protect her?” He sat down. “Like I said, we’re just here for some lunch and to wait out that rainstorm.”

Aria shot me a pleading look. She wanted them out of the café, and I planned to get them out, rain or not.

“While you two stuff your faces, I think I’ll head over to where Quinn hid the coins.”

Ice put down his burger and wiped his mouth. “I already heard that you don’t know where the coins are any more than we do. Only difference is we’re willing to do whatever it takes to get our hands on those coins. Far as I’m concerned, everyone is fair game, even Quinn’s sweet little wife.” He looked across the room at Aria. “Seems I can add another sweetie to the list. Good to know, in case you happen to get to the coins before us. Always nice to have some leverage, especially when it’s beautiful leverage. What was it for you? That copper hair or those plump lips?”

He was trying to goad me into throwing the first fist, and it was working. My fingers were curled tightly, but there was no way I was going to start a brawl inside Aria’s café. I continued with my plan.

“Quinn came to this morning. I just came from the hospital. He told me the exact location.”

The chair creaked beneath Ice’s weight as he sat forward. “I don’t believe you.”

I shrugged. “That’s fine.” I leaned down and looked out the window. “Seems like the rain is letting up. Guess I’ll head out and grab those coins.”

They both got up from the table. “If you know, then tell us,” Jack sneered.

“Not going to do that. Of course, I can’t stop you from following me to the spot.” I was taking a risk walking out. It wasn’t a great plan, but it was the only one I had in my arsenal at the moment.

I walked to the door.

“You’re bluffing,” Ice said.

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