Chapter Twenty-two
“THANKS, QUINN. THAT’S exactly what I needed to hear.”
“You bet. Now I promised the girls we’d take them to the park. Do you have time? They’re excited to see you.”
I’m paralyzed with happiness. “Seriously? I would love to.” Then I’m filled with dread. “Um…is Sawyer home?”
“No worries. He’s at the aquarium until five today. He won’t be home until dinnertime. You do know he’s over it, right? He said he spoke with you at the baby shower. We’re good.”
I know they’re good, back to being the golden couple.
Quinn is so secure, she’s not even worried about me being in the same room as Sawyer.
It’s me who’s still struggling, even though I’ve found someone new.
Seeing Sawyer reminds me of how horribly I acted.
As for him, he’s over it, doesn’t care, and has moved on.
I’m ancient history. “He did. I appreciate both of you being willing to forgive so easily.”
“You took care of our babies. We can never repay you.”
My heart feels like someone’s squeezing it with their fist. “Okay.” I take a deep breath. “I would love to see the girls.” I’m just happy Quinn still wants to spend time with me.
There’s no doubt she’s a bit wary, a bit hesitant. Her guard is up. I’m not surprised. But she’s willing to give our friendship a second chance.
Second chances are my favorite thing in the entire world. Without them, I’d be lost and alone. Surely everyone, at some point, must have a need for a second chance in their life. I can’t be the only one.
Quinn drives her car to 5201 Beachcomber Lane, and I follow. She invites me in, but I decline. Too many painful memories. I love that they’re both willing to let me see the girls anytime, though.
“The girls are ready. Let me grab their coats and we’ll go. Do you want to walk or drive?”
It’s a rare sunny day in January. It’s chilly with a soft sea breeze, but it’s beautiful out. “You’re walking for two. Your choice.”
“I feel like taking a walk. Sound good?” Quinn smiles.
“Let’s do it.”
While I’m waiting for Quinn and the girls, I frown at my thousand-dollar Gucci slingback pumps. They’re not great for long walks, and they’re horrible for the park. I wrap my eight-hundred-dollar Ralph Lauren trench coat around myself, knowing I will at least be warm.
I have a shopping problem. Ren calls me bougee. It’s true.
I should’ve worn my Josie and Jordyn clothes—leggings, a sweatshirt, and sturdy tennis shoes. I didn’t know I would have time with them today. Again, I’m thankful both Quinn and Sawyer are willing to let me see the girls. They have every right to deny me.
Josie and Jordyn come running out of the house, bundled up in coats, hats, and gloves. They can move and bend their arms. The memory of how I bundled them up makes me cringe—and laugh at myself. I didn’t know what I was doing. But we survived.
“Beezy,” they both holler, then give me the tightest hugs their tiny bodies can manage.
I close my eyes and soak up their love. I think caring for them was the best thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. It’s the only reason Quinn is so willing to forgive me. I know that without a doubt.
“Let’s do this,” Quinn says as she waddles down the sidewalk. Even with Josie and Jordyn present, Quinn wins the cuteness award today.
Once at the park, Quinn and I sit on a park bench and watch the girls play. They’re old enough to play on their own now. It sure makes the park a much more relaxing event.
“So what’s a grand gesture?” I ask. “I don’t know what to do.” I’m clueless.
“What’s something Ren loves? Tickets to a sporting event? A favorite restaurant? A concert? Plan a night just for him. While you’re together, explain how you feel. Let him know you’re willing to wait for him.”
“I guess I could do that. If he’ll speak to me.” I might’ve lost my chance with Ren.
“If he loves you, he will.”
“I’ve been visiting Ren’s wife. I’m not sure if Ren knows, but I’d be surprised if the hospital kept it from him.
I’m sure that violates some law. But my name hasn’t been removed from the allowed visitor list, so my guess is he doesn’t mind.
It’s weird, but she seems to like me, as if we have some sort of connection.
I’ve told her everything. I swear it seems like she understands me. But that can’t be possible.”
“That’s so sweet, Bree.”
I shrug. “It doesn’t make me good. I have selfish motives. I’m just curious about Ren’s first love.”
“That’s called being human. Stop knocking yourself down.”
Josie runs our way. “Play ball now?”
“Sure,” Quinn says, pulling two kid’s balls out of the large bag she’s carrying with supplies for the park. Juice boxes and other snacks fill up the rest of the bag.
We move over to a large grassy field, spread out from each other, and start kicking the balls back and forth.
Josie has a red ball, and Jordyn’s is yellow.
Half the time, Josie and Jordyn miss, their little legs flying through the air.
But they’re determined little gals. The other half of the time, they land a pretty darn good kick—at least for their ages.
I can’t help but laugh at their efforts. They’re so darn cute. Quinn and Josie grab my attention as they kick the ball back and forth, not missing a single kick for about ten rounds. I clap for them.
All of a sudden Quinn yells, “Jordyn!”
I glance to my left, realizing she’s not across from me anymore. I turn, only to see Jordyn chasing her ball just as fast as her little legs will carry her—headed straight for a side street. It’s not a busy street, but it’s a street with cars all the same.
Jordyn doesn’t show any signs of stopping.
I understand Quinn’s alarm. I kick off my heels and make a mad dash after Jordyn.
I strip off my trench coat, letting it fall wherever it may.
It’s slowing me down. I’m so much faster than Jordyn, but she had a good head start on me.
It’s my fault—I should’ve been watching her.
She’s approaching the street. Her little ball, caught in a breeze, rolls out into the street.
At that exact moment, an unsuspecting motorist makes a quick left turn against traffic from the main street onto the side street. The side of the park facing the busy main street is fenced in. The quiet side street is not.
From there everything happens in slow motion.
The ball is in the street.
The speeding car is entering the street.
Jordyn is running after her precious ball.
Jordyn is in the middle of the street.
Quinn is screaming Jordyn’s name.
I arrive, barreling in with no plan of stopping.
There’s no time to move away from the car’s path.
I push Jordyn out of the way. She falls onto the hard pavement with a fear-filled cry.
I hear the screech of brakes as the car hits me, sending a large whoosh of air out of my lungs from the force of the blow.
I’m flying through the air for what seems like forever.
But what goes up must come down.
I hit the pavement with a hard thud, a searing pain in my head as it bounces against the asphalt.
Everything goes black.
I GROAN FROM the pounding pain in my head. I wince as my eyes are forced open and a bright light shines in them.
“Stop. That hurts.”
“She’s awake, and she’ll be fine. She has a concussion, a broken arm, and a few broken ribs. Nothing a long rest won’t cure. We’ll cast the arm, but the ribs will heal on their own. You’re very lucky, Miss Kingston.”
Huh? Who’s that? What’s going on?
“Thank you, Doctor. When she wouldn’t regain consciousness, it scared the life out of me.”
That’s Quinn. She’s here with me.
The memory of what happened comes rushing back to me. “Jordyn?” My eyes fly open. “Is she okay?”
Quinn’s standing over my bed. Josie and Jordyn’s cute little towheads are barely visible above the edge of my bed.
“She’s okay, Bree. Just a bruise on her chin and scraped up knees. Her gloves protected her hands. She’s fine, thanks to you.”
“I wasn’t watching her.”
“Neither was I. Don’t blame yourself.”
“I have owies,” Jordyn says, her face red from crying. She points to her bandaged chin, then she points to her knees, even though I can’t see them. “Beezy, okay?”
“Yes, sweet girl. I’m okay. I’m sorry I pushed you. I didn’t want the car to hit you.”
Then Josie says, “Never go in street.” She bursts into tears at the thought.
Jordyn joins her.
Quinn wraps her arms around them. It’s been a traumatic event for them. For all of us.
I reach for Jordyn’s hand, and she clasps mine. “I’m so glad you’re okay. Everything’s okay. Don’t worry.”
“Thank you, Beezy. Mommy says you helped me.”
“I love you. I’ll always love you.” Quinn’s right. My heart bursts with love for them.
“Breanna Kingston?” It’s a nurse.
“Yes.”
“I’m here to take you to get a temporary cast on that arm until the swelling goes down.”
Then, like I’m not in the room, she says to Quinn. “We’ll also tend to all the abrasions. The good news is her CAT scan was normal. We’ll have her back in an hour or two.”
“Thank you.” Then Quinn grasps my hand. “Thank you, Bree. Thank you for saving my baby.” Now she’s crying too.
As the nurse rolls my bed out of the room, I leave behind three crying girls.
They’re crying for me. Me. Bree the Betrayer.
I think that’s the moment my heart actually does burst.