Page 14 of Make Me Fool You

“I don’t know about that. It might be too late for me. But you’ve got a man that really loves you. I could see the love all over his face last night. He is desperate for you. Don’t let Mother ruin that for you. Give the man a chance.”

“What about you?”

“My life is a mess right now. But I’ll get it back on track somehow. That’s not your problem. Your problem is that you pushed the man you love away.”

“I don’t know if he’ll forgive me,” I whisper, my words catching in my throat.

“I saw the look in his eyes. That man will forgive you anything. All you need to do is go to him and talk. Give up a little bit of that control you pride yourself on and go get the man you love.”

“Yeah.” My shoulders straighten and I smile. “I just need to talk to him. Sounds easy,” I laugh.

“Not easy but definitely worth it.”

I pat her shoulder. “Are you going to be okay by yourself?”

She puts her slim, perfectly-manicured hand over mine. “Trust me. Don’t let this fester. I’ll be fine.”

I pick up my phone and jump when it rings in my hand. Ruth’s number flashes on the screen and I smile, picking up immediately. “Hey, what’s up?”

“I’m so sorry, Bri. I hate to have to tell you this but there was an accident out on the highway. James was there for some reason.” My smile fades and I feel terror well up in my chest. My heart stops.

“Is he?” I can’t even finish the sentence. There’s no way. No way that he can be gone when I haven’t talked to him. Haven’t straightened things out. Haven’t told him that I love him.

“No. But he’s at the hospital right now. I was pretty sure that you’d want to know. Tate called me to let me know. He’s at the hospital with him.”

“I’ve got to go. I’ve got to see him.” I babble, hanging up the phone and running for the door.

“Bri!You can’t drive like this!Give me a minute to get dressed and I’ll take you.”

“I need to see him.”

“You’re going to get into an accident on the way there. Just hang on. I’ll take you.”

Trinity runs to get her trousers and blouse. “Give me a second. Don’t you dare head out that door!”

I pace back and forth, my mind running wild with images of James lying alone in a white bed, his body broken beyond repair. My hands tear through my hair, tugging at it like a crazy person.

“Come on! Let’s go!” Trinity grabs my hand and pulls me out the door. Both of us running like we haven’t in years.

“Buckle up, sis!”

With shaking hands I buckle the belt and try to shut my brain down. My eyes close and I lean on the cold glass, feeling tears wet my cheeks.

What the hell am I going to do if he’s gone?I can’t breathe. Can’t think. Terror boils up in my belly and I feel my stomach heave.

“Don’t you dare throw up in my car!” Trinity groans. “He’s fine. Just calm down.”

But her foot pushes the pedal to the floor and in no time we’re pulling up outside the hospital.

I shove the door open so fast I almost topple over onto the ground. Catching myself I run in the door and gasp, “James. The EMT. Where is he?”

Cathy stares at me, her head whipping around when Trinity runs up beside me.

“I’m telling you! I’m fine! Stop poking at me, dammit!”

Wild-eyed, I twist when I hear the deep, familiar voice. My feet move before my brain catches up. I rip the curtain aside and wilt when I see him sitting up in the bed, his green eyes narrowed on Tate and the doctor. My eyes drink in his familiar form. Except for the bruise on his cheek and the dark hair tousled on his head, he looks fine.

And my heart lightens immediately.He’s okay!

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