Page 95 of Hidden Plays
“I know, but with Noel’s bullshit, I had to check it.” I slipped the phone into the pocket of my sweats, glancing at the bench and picking out the coaching staff. No one was looking in our direction. “Turns out, my mom wants us at the hospital as soon as we get into town.”
“Fuck, why do you think that is?” He knitted his brows. “You don’t think he’s worse, do you?”
“I don’t know.” Pain sliced through my chest. “Guess we’ll find out when we get there.” And I’d be an absolute basket case until then. “Go back to your area.” I shoved his shoulder.
“Yeah, okay.” He stepped away and stopped. “Holden, it’ll be okay.”
With a quick nod, I blinked the blurriness from my vision. No matter what, I had him. “Go, JJ.” I turned my attention to the rest of this boring ass game.
I about lostmy mind through the showers, the team meeting after the game and the bus ride home. None of it was fast enough, and I didn’t want to text Mom for an update. If it were bad news, I’d find out when I got there.
JJ had sat beside me, a worried look on his face the entire way home. I knew he wanted to comfort me, but he couldn’t with the entire team acting like giddy idiots all around us from the win.
I gazed out the window at the desert scrub and ragged mountains rolling by as the sun set. I knew JJ hadn’t told Caseyand Eli about my brother, but it was obvious they knew something was up by the careful words they’d used with me. They were giving us space, which was good.
As soon as we hit the parking lot at the ASU stadium, we left the crowd and hightailed it for JJ’s SUV. I’d relied on him a lot this weekend for driving me around.
We drove to the hospital, about twenty minutes from the stadium, in near silence. Neither of us wanted to speculate about what we were walking into. The steadiest thing in my life right now was JJ’s hold on my hand.
After parking, we jogged into the hospital and called the elevator. I texted Mom as it dinged.
Holden
I’m here with JJ
Mom
Come to the waiting area.
I read her message and followed JJ into the elevator. Why there? Why not Noel’s room? He was still alive, wasn’t he? “Babe?” My voice wavered.
“Holden, I’ve got you.” JJ wrapped me in a warm hug, swaying me as the elevator rushed us to Noel’s floor.
The doors opened, and I snatched JJ’s hand, striding into the hallway with him. This was it. I knew it was something big. I couldfeelit. As we entered the waiting area, Mom and Dad sat on a couch, watching the evening news on a television hanging from the ceiling.
“Mom?” I jogged to them. “What’s going on?” I wouldn’t ask if Noel were still alive.
They both stood. “Thank God you’re here. Your brother has refused to see anyone until you got back.” She threw a glance at Dad.
Holy shit, Noel just wants to talk tome?I clenched my fists.
“It started this morning. He didn’t want to talk to anyone,and the more we tried, the more irrational he became.” Dad lowered his brows. “He said he wouldn’t talk until you came back. We tried to tell him you were at a game today, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“Do you think he knows about the intervention?” Mom creased her forehead. “Did you give something away when you were with him yesterday?”
“No, I said nothing about it.” My pulse ricocheted through my body, sending all my nerves on high alert. Had I done something wrong? Maybe I shouldn’t have told him about my breakdown?
“Babe, it’s not your fault.” JJ kissed the back of my hand. “Look at me.” He pulled on both of my hands, forcing me to face him. “It’s not your fault.”
Panning my gaze to Mom, I asked, “Mom, why didn’t you just say that? The message you sent scared me shitless! I’ve been traveling for hours terrified, and Noel only wants to chat?” Nausea balled in my gut. Did I somehow ruin our chances of getting Noel into treatment?
“I didn’t want to worry you and thought he’d come around eventually.” She wrung her hands in front of her chest. “I’m sorry, honey. I guess I wasn’t thinking.”
“Jesus, Mom.” With a scowl, I scrubbed my face. All that worry for nothing.
“Come on, Noel wanted Holden here and now he’s gotten his wish. Let’s see what he has to say.” With a huff, Dad grasped Mom’s hand and strode toward Noel’s room.
“Holden, babe, I’m right here.” JJ cupped my cheeks and locked his gaze on mine. “I’ve got you, remember? This changes nothing, whatever it is.”
