Page 15 of Fourteen Years

“What? Oh my fucking God!”

I could hear her scrambling, breath rushing in pants.

“I’m going to-” she began.

“You’re not driving. I’m calling Lucas. Get dressed. Be waiting.” I was terse, barely holding it together myself. “I need you safe too. You’re not driving. Please.” I was begging.

“Okay. Just….tell him to hurry! Tell Lacey I love her and I’m coming-”

“I will, just get dressed. I have our girl, Mon.”

Hanging up, I jumped up behind my daughter who was strapped immobile onto a backboard now. Dialing Lucas, I gripped her hand, staring down at her green eyes swimming in tears as I asked him to go get Monica and bring her to us.

Chapter 08

“Lacey Connor. C-O-N-N-O-R. She was in a car accident and I’m her mother-”

“Mon. Slow down.” Lucas’ brusque voice came from behind me as his hand rested heavily on my shoulder. I felt like I was coming undone all over again. I had been waiting on the street when Lucas had gotten to my house earlier and practically been screaming at him to drive faster the entire way to the hospital.

“Monica!” Trevor’s voice echoed behind us and I spun around, searching him out frantically. Seeing him coming toward me across the room, I rushed to meet him halfway as his hands came up to my arms. Why was everyone holding me back? Didn’t they sense the urgency?

“Mon.” Trevor spoke again, drawing my panicked eyes up to his.

“Breathe,” he instructed. “In through your nose and out through your mouth. Three times for me, sweetheart.”

I obeyed mindlessly as his eyes bore into mine, watching me, and nodding encouragingly.

Everything in my body was so tightly wound, just the extra deep breaths were calming me slightly. Bringing me out of a panicked head space where I wasn’t even thinking rationally.

“Where is she? Is she okay?” my voice wasn’t one I recognized. Trembling and shaky. I couldn’t lose another person I loved.

“She’s fine. Banged up and scared as hell. They’re taking her for some scans just to be safe. But she’s okay. She’s fine.” he repeated, drawing me against his chest. I didn’t even think. My arms wrapped around his waist tightly, pressing my face against his chest as I sobbed. I felt his large hand find the back of my head, holding me against him like I was precious, his other running up and down my back soothingly as he thanked Lucas for getting me here safely and informing him we’d call him with more information later.

This felt nice. Having someone to rely on and hold onto me when I was scared. I’d missed this. I was a social person. I had cut myself off too much the last year and a half. I continued taking deep breaths, smelling Trevor’s spicy cologne. My hands and arms were warm under his firecoat and I could feel the muscles under his shirt. He’d bulked up since we were younger. Reluctantly I drew back and wiped my eyes.

“You good?” he asked, looking down at me worriedly. His hand came up cupping my face gently, his thumb sliding over my cheek, collecting some of my tears.

“I’m fine. I’m sorry I keep crying on you—”

“You never have to apologize for that.” he interrupted.

“What fucking boy was she with?” I blurted out suddenly, without a filter. Lacey was a bit boy crazy and always had been. But she'd never had a serious relationship, or even brought someone home to introduce us to go on a date. I was floored that she’d been so deceptive and snuck out of the house.

Trevor’s eyes hardened, going into protective father mode.

“Some Jackson kid. He’s apparently nineteen. She met him at the pool earlier this summer? Said they’d been texting and he’d wanted to drive around and talk. She’s a mess, Mon. She knows she fucked up.”

“Damn right she fucked up!” I exclaimed. “She’s grounded! FOREVER!”

Trevor’s eyebrow rose, his piercing glinting under the fluorescent lighting.

“Easy, tiger.” he scoffed. “I’m just as livid. But the more we come down on her, the more she’s going to act out, I think.”

I huffed. “Since when did you become the rational one?”

He just shook his head and grabbed my arm to lead me down the hallway to our daughter’s triage room in the emergency department. The nurses were just getting her settled back into the bed. Her eyes met mine and instantly filled with tears. She looked so small and scared in that hospital gown and I instantly started sobbing again myself.

“Mom! I’m so sorry. I know what I did was stupid and-”

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