Page 99 of Reconciling With the Rival

“God, I love books. I swear, there’s nothing better than escapism,” Paige smiles at me. “How have things been with you, Ells?” She rests her head on my shoulder.

“I’m okay, I think. There’s been a weird feeling of something resting on me since the phone call, but I’ll be alright, P.”

She threads her arm through mine. “Well, if you want to rant, scream, or cry, I’ll be here. Just call me. I don’t care how late at night it is.”

“I love you.” I squeeze her arm. “You know the same goes for you. I know things have been tough for you since she left.”

She. Amelia. Paige’s happy expression falls from her face. “I think she’s really gone this time, Ella. I don't know how she could do this for so long. She has to know her silence would break our hearts.”

I’m not sure what to say to that. On one hand, I agree. I think Amelia always threatening to run away was some sort of warning, but I want to believe she wouldn't just fade out of our lives.

“We’ll see, P. She might surprise us all and come back.”

But I don’t believe that, and neither does she. This is the first time Paige has acknowledged Amelia might be gone from our lives for good. If she’s hit that stage—the girl who can bring optimism to any situation—Amelia might be too far gone if she does decide to come back.

A thud from the living room causes Paige and I to perk up.

“Hads?” I ask and get no answer.

Paige and I head to where she is, and when Hads turns to face us, face pale, tears streaming down her face, her phone on the floor, my stomach drops.

“What’s wrong?” Paige asks as she takes in the state of our friend.

“Hads?” I say as I grab her phone from the floor. Nobody’s on the other line, but her phone is stuck on the call screen. “What’s going on, babe?” I grab her hand as she stands stagnantly in her spot.

“I-It’s Grant,” she says through her tears. “He was in an accident.”

“What?” Paige says. “What kind of accident?”

“He was t-boned on the highway coming home.” She breaks out of her haze and heads to her bedroom, grabbing a bunch of things and throwing them in her purse. “He’s at the hospital having emergency surgery.”

“Is he okay?” I ask, scared of the answer.

“I-I don’t know, but I have to go.”

“We’re coming too,” Paige says what I’m thinking. “Ella can drive.”

“Thank God, because I can’t drive right now,” Hads says. “I can’t even find my fucking keys!”

I grab her and pull her in for a hug, Paige joining. “We got you, babe. Let us help, okay?”

She pulls back from us and nods. “Thank you.”

“I’m calling Oliver to meet us there,” Paige says, her phone in her ear. “Hey, Ol. Don’t freak out, but I have to tell you something,” and she leaves the room.

God, can’t the Baker siblings get a fucking break with these fucking car accidents?

“He’s okay, Hads. Surgery could be a good thing. That means he’s still alive.”

She turns to me, her face wet with tears. “What if—”

“Don’t. We’ll know more soon,” I say as I zip up her bag. “Let’s go get some answers, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Hadleigh Baker?” someone says,and I poke Paige with my elbow as Hads gets up from her seat and heads to the doctor.

“How is he?” she asks her.

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