Page 90 of Life After You

"You need him, too…"

Chapter Twenty-Four

Logan

In the blink of an eye, everything can change. One moment, you’re untouchable, floating on cloud nine. The next your phone rings, and your whole world collapses.

I’m sitting next to Trey, locked in a heated match ofStreet Fighter IVon the Xbox. It’s one of our regular tournaments, a battle of pride and bragging rights.

I’m dominating Trey, flipping around the screen, setting him up for the kill when my phone buzzes. My fingers hesitate on the controller.Might be Mac.

I drop the controller, ignoring Trey’s triumphant shout, and step outside into the parking lot. The number on the screen isn’t one I recognize. My gut tightens, but I answer anyway.

“Hello.” I say, a little irritated. If this is another asshole trying to sell me time-shares in the Bahamas…

“Logan Dale?” The voice is female, calm, clinical. My grip on the phone tightens.

“Yeah?”

“Sir…” There’s a pause, a hesitation that makes my pulse pound. “There’s been an accident—” The phone slips from my fingers, clattering to the gravel.

“Sir? Hello? Sir?” Her voice filters through, tinny and distant.

My hands shake as I scoop the phone back up. “S-sorry,” I croak. “Go on.”

“Do you know a Mackayla Smith?”

“Yes.”

“She’s been in an accident.”

Everything goes silent. The words land like a physical blow, knocking the breath from my lungs. Blood rushes to my ears, drowning out the rest of what she’s saying.

“Is…is she okay?” My voice barely works, my throat too tight to swallow.

“You should come in, sir. There’s paperwork we need you to sign.”

The world tilts. “IS. SHE. OKAY?”

“It’s difficult to say at this time, sir. I’m sorry.”

Laughter echoes behind me. Trey, Sam and Chace are on the bus steps making kissing sounds. “Lover boy,” they tease. “Romeo.”

I turn to them, my face must be ghost white, because Sam’s grin falls instantly.

“Which hospital.” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

They watch as I take down the details with shaky hands to my phone.

“What’s wrong?” Sam steps forward, his hand on my shoulder. I shrug him off, stumbling backward.

“Okay. Thanks.” I hand Sam the phone, my fingers numb.

My fingers twitch, fists clenching. I push past them, heading straight for Mearl, who’s lounging in the driver’s seat, feet up, a dog-eared copy ofPride and Prejudice and Zombiescovering his face.

I nudge his leg. “We need to go.”

Mearl snorts awake, blinking. “Huh? What?”

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