Page 58 of His North Star
Mom only left an hour ago? How had I fallen asleep that fast?
His green eyes darkened, full of worry, his mouth downturned. “Landon said to come over so you could get to the hospital.”
I shoved back the stool I sat on. “Really? Oh, that would be amazing! Thank you, Ty. Everyone who booked a room has checked in. You can stay upstairs and just come down if someone rings the intercom, but it should be a quiet night. Call me if you have any questions.”
“I can handle it. Just go.”
I patted my pockets, searching for keys that hung on a white seashell hook in my apartment by the front door.
Ty held out his keys to me. “Take mine.”
I threw my arms around Ty.
He squeezed me back. “I’ve got you.”
I allowed myself ten more seconds of Ty’s comfort before racing to the hospital to be with my family, a luxury allowed because of Ty.
They wanted to run a bajillion tests. Of course, nothing in the ER happened as quickly as I wanted it to. We didn’t have any answers yet, except that Mom had woken up on the ride to the hospital. When I arrived, Dad, Lan, and I stood in a circle, hugging each other and fighting back tears. I’d never been more grateful for Ty. Being able to support one another, having my family hold me up, meant the world to me.
The three of us sat for hours in the vinyl-covered seats in the waiting room, leaning our shoulders against one another. My eyes burned. My limbs went limp. I hated this place. Lan’s jaw was clenched, and he kept taking deep, slow breaths. He was probably having flashbacks from coming to visit his best friend while he’d battled cancer.
“You two should go on home and get some sleep,” Dad murmured. “Breakfast will need to get started in a few hours. I’ll call you when there’s an update.”
“I’m not leaving,” Landon said stubbornly. “Just call the bakery when they open at six and have them deliver some muffins. Ty can cut up fruit.”
My best friend would if I asked, but waiting here accomplished nothing, and the walls were closing in around me. “I’ll go home and get breakfast served.”
Dad looked relieved. “Thank you, sweetheart. We’ll call when the doctors give us an update.”
I stood, wiping my clammy hands on my red T-shirt. I leaned down, giving Dad a hug. He looked small, with the weight of the world bowing his shoulders in. Dad patted my back. Giving him a final squeeze, I stood upright.
Lan stood up and pulled me into his arms, something he hadn’t done since Grandma passed away.
“You okay?” I whispered. “I know how hard it must be for you to be here.”
“I’ll be fine. Are you sure you want to go home? You know Ty can handle the bed-and-breakfast.”
“I know, and I love that because of him we’re here together, but I need air. I can’t—“ My voice broke on a sob.
Lan squeezed me tighter. “I know. I get it.”
“If something happens to Mom. . .”
“She’s going to be okay.”
“Yeah.” I sniffled. I had to believe that, because the alternative just wasn’t an option. Although I was feeling completely selfish knowing what Landon went through with Jared. I should stay with Dad and let my brother get a break from this place.
“Have Ty help with breakfast. Then come back if you can.”
“K. I love you.”
“Love you.”
I pulled out of his embrace. “Love you, Dad. Talk to you soon.”
“Love you, sweetheart. Thanks for managing the business.”
I slumped my way to Ty’s truck and started for home. It was a good thing it was three in the morning and no other traffic shared the road with me. My eyes blurred from my tears. I wasn’t staying in the lines well. When I got back to my apartment, I headed straight for my bed. If I was lucky, I’d be able to catch two hours of sleep before getting up for breakfast.
