Page 144 of Counting On You

She’s in there for what feels like an eternity.

Maybe she’s not the teacher’s pet after all.

This can’t go wrong. I’m about to knock when the door’s thrown open and Sylvie steps out.

“So?” I prompt.

She peers at me and all my hope perishes. Her face is pale; her expression guarded.

Something feels wrong.

“What happened? Didn’t you get our phones back?”

She shakes her head and retrieves my phone from her pocket, handing it to me.

I peer at it, then at her. “What’s going on? Did he do something?”

She clutches at my arm and pulls me down the hall to the backyard. My heart’s slamming in my chest with certainty that something is wrong. She only stops in the far corner where a tree’s hiding us from anyone’s view.

“Something happened.” Her tone is cagey and her eyes are avoiding my gaze.

“What is it?” I scan her expression but can’t read it. “Don’t tell me we can’t go home.”

“No, Vicky.” She shakes her head grimly. “I don’t even know how to say this. It’s about Kade.” My breath hitches in my throat. She shakes her head again. “This is so hard.”

Every part of my body tenses. I want to shake her, to force her to tell me what’s going on. But all I can do is stare at her until she looks up.

Our eyes lock, and my heart sinks.

“There was an accident on the way to the airport.” Her voice breaks. “I’m so sorry, Vicky, but he might not make it.”

That’s all I hear.

Kade had an accident two weeks ago and no one told me.

A scream escapes my chest. Or maybe it’s just in my head—cruel and silent. Piece by piece, my heart begins to crumble, the pain as sharp as being cut.

Sylvie presses a note into my hand. “It’s the hospital where they’ve taken him. That’s all I know. I’m so sorry. I wish there was more I could do.”

Tears begin to roll down my cheeks.

I can’t be without him—that’s the only coherent thought I can form.

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