Page 121 of At First Smile
Concern hits me like a slapshot, and I halt abruptly. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah…uh…I’m okay.”
She’s lying.
“I got bit by a dog and?—”
“What?” I spin.
Gillian and Yasmine stare at me with lifted brows.
“Where?”
“My hand,” she says.
“I mean—” I exhale a breath and rub my temples. “Where did this happen? How?”
She swallows hard. “On my way from the bus stop.”
Fuck. If I’d not been late this morning, I’d be home. I’d be with her. This may not have happened.
“I’m so sorry?—”
“Hold on,” she cuts me off, muffled voices drifting over the line.
“Pen, who’s that?”
“The paramedics.”
“Paramedics?” My heart thunders in my chest.
A pen clatters to the table as Gillian shoots to his feet. Within a breath he’s beside me, face drawn with worry.
“Baby, it’s okay. They’re going to take me to the hospital. It’s just a precaution. I swear. I just wanted to make sure you knew. I’m okay, I promise.”
Only she doesn’t sound okay. Each measured word quakes with the truth underneath her verbal brave face. She’s scared, and so am I.
“Which hospital? I’m on my way.”
“No, it’s ok. I’ll?—”
“Which hospital?” I repeat. The fear coursing inside me overpowers my ability to just listen. I’ll apologize later, after I have her in my arms.
“Sacred Heart,” she pauses, a slight catch in her breath. “I love you.”
The hidden almost whimper as she says that guts me. My strong girl is working so hard to not break, but I hear pieces of her brave front crumble in every hissed breath and trembling word.
“I love you, too.” I swallow thickly. “I’m leaving now.”
“Okay,” she whispers.
“I’ll call JoJo, so she can be with you ‘til I get there.”
“Okay.” A small sniffle breaks through. “Rowan, I’m going to get in the ambulance now.”
“Let me know when you get there.”
“Okay… I promise I’m ok.”
