Page 66 of Level Me Up

Chapter Thirty-five

Dex

Wade and I, along with Simon and Bernie, decided to stay a couple extra days in New Orleans to do some sightseeing. We stayed out way too late last night, and now we find ourselves in a little café for breakfast. Well, maybe it’s brunch. It’s definitely closer to lunch at this point. Wade and I share one side of the booth, and Bernie and Simon are on the other. Yesterday, things were a little stressed between Wade and me, but after spending the day with our parents, things are back to normal. He’s not being an asshole, and I’m trying not to be a dramatic shit.

Link had to head back to Chicago yesterday since he had some freelance work deadline to make. So, it’s really quiet while we nurse our unfortunate hangovers.

We enjoy easy conversation about our plans for the day. We are split on whether or not to spend the day in the French Quarter or go to the National WWII Museum. Simon and I vote French Quarter, but Wade is a history buff, and for some reason, Bernie is siding with him.

We finally agree on spending the day in the French Quarter, and make our way out of the cafe. My phone vibrates in my pocket but forget about it when Simon and Wade pull my attention to something through the store window next to us.

We’ve just started walking down the street when I hear Bernie behind me say, "Dex. Dex, stop." Her voice is soft but full of panic. I slowly turn around and face her as she looks up from her phone. Panic fills her eyes when she says, "Ruby just texted me a 911 text. It’s Morgan.”

And my heart stops.

I choke out, “Is she ok?” I search Bernie’s face for more details. All I find is panic in her eyes.

Simon and Wade move in closer to us, and Bernie answers, “I don’t know. The text didn’t say, I’m waiting for a reply.”

Suddenly, I remember getting a text when I yank my phone out of my pocket. It wasn’t a text, it was a call from Gia, but there was no voicemail. I call her back. The phone rings twice before it’s answered.

"Hello?" Her voice is panicked and sounds thick.

I clear my throat, "It’s Dex. Tell me what's going on."

She starts to cry, and talks too fast, and I can't understand her. "Gia. Calm down,” I say, “I can't understand what you are saying. “But she doesn't seem to hear me. I look up at Bernie and say, "She won't stop crying, and I can't understand her."

Simon grabs the phone and holds it up to his ear, "Calm down, Gia. I need you to calm down." His voice is forceful but gentle at the same time. Like he knows just how to handle her when she’s like this. It seems to work because she says something and he replies, "I know, but we need to know what's going on, and we can't do that if we can't understand what you’re saying." After a beat, he hands the phone back to me.

"Gia, it's me again," I say

In a much calmer tone, but still trying to catch her breath, she says, "Morgan walked to work this morning. But somehow she ended up in a cab in the opposite direction of work, and there was an accident. Dex, the cab was hit by a train.”

Black fuzzy spots start to take over my vision. It feels like I’ve been sucker-punched in the gut and have to crouch down to keep from falling over.

“How bad is it?” I croak.

On a shaky breath, “It’s bad. Really bad.”

Oh God. I dip my head, close my eyes, and struggle for breath. Wade is kneeling in front of me, his hands on both my shoulders.

“We are going to the hospital now. Me and Ruby. Link is with us. Where are you, Dex?” Gia sobs.

"I'm coming back, I'll call you as soon as we land, please keep me updated." She sniffs and says, “Ok.” And we hang up.

"I have to get on the first plane home, right now," I say.

"Yes, of course. You’re not going by yourself," Bernie says as we start to walk back the way we came.

“Looks like there are two seats open on the next flight to Chicago. I just bought them. But it leaves in less than an hour, so we need to go,” Simon says still engrossed in his phone.

I just nod.

“There are still plenty of seats on the next flight out of here. Do you guys want me to get them for you?” Simon asks Wade and Bernie.

“Naw, man, I’ll take care of them. Dex, give me your hotel key, I’ll get your stuff from the hotel,” Wade states grimly.

I mutter my thanks as I hail a cab. I pull out my hotel key card and hand it to Bernie.

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