Page 188 of Almost Ours
I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white. I’d told myself this opportunity was worth it–that taking this coaching position was the right step for my career, that Harper and Connor would be fine without me for a little while.Now, though? With the image of Connor lying motionless on the ice burned into my mind. I felt like I’d failed them both.
The thought twisted in my chest, sharp, until I could barely breathe around it.
By the time I pulled into the hospital parking lot, my entire body was running on pure adrenaline. I barely managed to throw the truck into park before jumping out, slamming the door behind me. I sprinted across the lot, weaving between cars, ignoring the curious stares of people walking by. My pulse hammered in my ears, drowning out everything but the single thought pounding through my brain.
Get to Connor. Get to Connor. Get to Connor.
Inside, the harsh fluorescent lights of the emergency room made everything feel even more surreal. The sharp scent of antiseptic burned my nose as I skidded to a stop in front of the reception desk, breathless and wild-eyed.
A young woman with a pleasant but slightly frazzled expression looked up at me. “Hi, how can I help you?”
“I’m looking for someone,” I blurted, the words tumbling out too fast. “A young boy–Connor. He was brought in by ambulance a few hours ago.”
She tilted her head, her fingers hovering over her keyboard. “Are you family?”
I froze. My heart pounded against my ribs.I–I don’t know?
“I-” I stammered. “No. I mean, yes. I–”
Her eyebrows lifted slightly, and she gave me a skeptical look. “Sir, I can only provide information to family members.”
I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to stay calm.I don’t have time for this.
“I need to know where he is,” I said, forcing my voice to stay even. “I need to see him. I need to know if he’s okay.”
Her expression didn’t waver. “I’m sorry, sir. If you’re not family–”
I slammed my fist on the desk. The loudbangechoed through the waiting room, making heads snap toward me. “That’s my fucking kid!” I yelled, my voice breaking. “He’s probably scared out of his mind, and he needs me! Where is he?!”
The girl flinched, her eyes wide with panic. A security guard near the door took a step toward me, his hand hovering near his radio.
Shit.
I sucked in a sharp breath, dragging my hands through my hair. My chest heaved, my body trembling with adrenaline and helplessness. “I’m sorry,” I muttered, my voice shaking. “I’m sorry. I–I just–” My throat tightened. “I just need to know he’s okay.”
“Ryan?”
Her voice cut through the chaos like a lifeline, and I turned. Harper.
She looked like she’d been through hell. Her hair was a tangled mess, her face pale, and her eyes red and puffy, like she’d been crying for hours. She was drowning in an oversized hoodie, the sleeves pulled down over her hands. She seemed impossibly small, fragile in a way that made my heart ache.
“Ryan,” she said again, stepping closer. “It’s okay.” She turned to the receptionist and the security guard. “He’s with me.”
The girl behind the desk nodded, visibly relieved to hand me off.
I turned back to Harper, and the pain hit me all over again. “Where is he?” I demanded, my voice raw. “Why aren’t you with him? What’s going on?”
Her lower lip trembled, but she forced herself to stay calm. “He’s getting a CT scan,” she said quietly. “Of his neck. Theywanted to make sure there’s no serious damage. He’ll be back in his room soon.”
Her words washed over me, and I sagged in relief, my knees nearly buckling.
I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate. I just reached for her, pulling her into my arms and holding her like she was the only thing keeping me grounded.
She didn’t resist. She melted into me, her hands clutching the back of my shirt as if she needed the contact as much as I did.
I buried my face in her hair, inhaling the faint scent of vanilla. My heart pounded against my ribs, but for the first time in hours, I felt like I could breathe.
“I should’ve been there,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I should’ve been with him.”
