Chapter Three
CHAPTER THREE
MARIE
“Ugh, I can’t wait until I’m done with this. What’s the point of the SATs anymore, anyway? They’re so outdated.”
I look up and grin at Ally, my seventeen-year-old half-sister, who sits on the other side of my kitchen table. SAT study books are open and spread out in front of her, but Ally isn’t looking at any of them. She’s slumped in her chair, her chin resting in her hand as she scowls at me in obvious irritation.
“You’re not wrong,” I tell her, setting down the pen I’ve been using to score her latest practice test. “Unfortunately, colleges haven’t figured that out yet… or they just refuse to move out of the dark ages. Either way, you want to get into a good school? You gotta play the game and nail these tests.”
She groans, rolling her hazel eyes as she drops her head onto the table. Her long, chestnut-colored hair fans out around her, hiding her face completely. She’s such a pretty girl—tall and slender, though she’s complained to me more than once about her lack of curves. Of all my half-siblings, Ally and I are probably the closest. It helps that she’s the oldest and I can relate to her better than the younger kids, but she’s genuinely fun to have around. She’s sarcastic, funny, and incredibly smart. Like a typical teenager, even if she often questions her abilities and puts on a cool and collected front when she’s feeling vulnerable. I remember what it was like to be a teenage girl, and so I’m a sympathetic ear she can turn to when she needs some guidance or support.
“This suuuuuucks,” she groans.
“I know, but think of it this way—you get a stellar score the first time you test, and you won’t have to take the SATs ever again.”
She turns her head to look up at me from beneath the curtain of her hair.
“Your optimism is annoying sometimes.”
I wink at her. “You just don’t want to admit that I’m right.”
“Whatever,” she grumbles as she sits back up. Picking up her pencil, she pulls one of her workbooks closer to her with a heavy, dramatic sigh.
Chuckling, I turn my attention back to her practice test, but before I can get through the next answer, my phone rings.
It’s Haven calling. Huh, that’s weird. It’s late, and she’s been so exhausted lately because of her pregnancy she’s usually in bed earlier than this.
“Hey, lady. What’s up?” I say into the phone as I answer.
“Marie, there’s been an accident!” Haven exclaims, her voice panicked and fearful.
I tense, my heart hammering in my chest. “What happened? Are you okay?”
Ally looks up at me with a furrowed brow and a confused frown. I can tell she wants to know what’s going on, but I hold up my finger to tell her to wait and not say anything yet.
“No, I’m fine,” Haven replies, though she doesn’t sound fine at all. “It’s Garrett! He was out in the oil fields and there was some sort of explosion… I’m not sure… he’s being flown to the St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Houston…”
She dissolves into sobs, and I feel as if the floor has been ripped out from under me. Garrett’s hurt?
“I’ll meet you there,” I declare, instinct taking over.
“Marie… I’m so scared…”
“Don’t worry,” I say, trying to sound calm and confident, even though that’s as far from the truth as possible. Not at all. I’m terrified, and not knowing the extent of Garrett’s injuries only makes it worse. I need to get to him and see him. Lay my eyes on him and make sure for myself that he’s alive and okay… or that he’s not.
Oh, god… what if he’s not?
“Garrett is strong,” I continue, forcing myself to stay above the panic so I can reassure Haven. “He’ll be alright. I’ll meet you at the hospital. Just breathe, okay?”
“I can’t lose him…”
“You won’t.” My voice is sharper than I intend it to be. I can’t let her finish that thought. It’s just not an option. Garrett has to be okay because if he’s not… “You won’t lose him. Don’t think like that. Just focus on one thing at a time. First, get to the hospital, and we’ll find out his condition. Then, we'll go from there. Is Christian with you? Can he take you?”
“Yes… yes, he’s going to drive,” Haven whimpers. “I’ll see you soon.”
She hangs up, and the phone slips from my numb fingers, clattering on the table.
“Marie? What’s going on?”
I blink, looking up and meeting Ally’s worried gaze.
“It’s… it’s Garrett,” I say. “There’s been an accident…”
“Oh, my god!” Ally jumps up from her chair. “What are we waiting for? Let’s get going.”
She rushes around the table and grabs my arm, yanking me out of my chair.
“Don’t worry,” she says. “I’ll drive.”
* * *
A couple of hours later, when Ally and I get to the hospital in Houston, Haven is already there, along with Christian, Peter, and Oliver. They’re gathered in a waiting area inside the emergency room. Haven is sitting in an uncomfortable-looking chair, her head in her hands, crying. Christian is next to her, his arm around her shoulders, and Peter is trying to keep Oliver distracted. The little boy is the spitting image of his dad with big blue eyes and dark brown hair, and that bright gaze is locked on Haven. He’s clearly distraught by her fear.
Before I can say a word, Ally jumps into action. She hurries to four-year-old Oliver and kneels down in front of him. Ally has babysat Oliver before, so he doesn’t shrink away from her.
“Hey, big guy,” she says with a wide smile. “Do you want to go with me and get ice cream in the cafeteria?”
He blinks up at her but slowly nods.
“Okay.” Ally offers him her hand, and he takes it. She leads him away, giving me a jerk of her chin as she passes by.
“Thank you, Ally,” Christian calls after them.
Once Ally and Oliver are out of sight, I move to sit on Haven’s other side. I feel like I’m shattering from the inside out, but I hold myself together as best I can. Haven is under enough stress as it is. She’s only three months into her pregnancy, which means her risk of miscarriage is still high.
“Hey,” I say softly, grabbing her hand. Haven immediately lifts her head and drops it against my shoulder.
I glance up at Peter. “How are you, Mr. Merritt?”
He gives me a shaky smile. I can’t imagine what he must be going through right now—he lost his wife recently, and now his stepson is in the same hospital she died in, hurt and suffering.
“I’m all right,” he tells me softly. He shoots Haven a quick look, his concern for her obvious. “We just need to pray that everything works out right now.”
I struggle to swallow down my fear. Haven continues to cry, and I meet Christian’s gaze over his sobbing wife.
“Have you heard anything yet?”
He shakes his head. “Not yet… other than he’s alive. They’re examining him now. A few other guys got caught in the explosion, but their injuries are minor compared to Garrett’s, so they’ll be okay. Garrett, unfortunately, was caught directly in the blast.”
I swallow. “Okay, so we’ll probably hear from the doctor soon?”
“I hope so,” Christian murmurs, while I hold Haven in my arms. His phone suddenly rings and he pulls it out, frowning at the screen. “Give me a minute. I’ve got a team from the corporate office in Houston on the ground at the rig to oversee cleanup and repair. I’ve got to take this.”
I nod, squeezing Haven closer to me. “Don’t worry. I’ve got her.”
He gives me a weary, grateful smile before turning and answering the phone, his voice trailing off as he walks away. “How the hell did this happen?”
It’s another fifteen minutes before a doctor appears. Christian quickly hangs up his call. Haven and I stand up, and Peter moves to stand next to us.
“How is he?” Peter asks in a strained tone.
“Garrett’s stable,” the doctor says. “He’s not in any danger, so you don’t have to worry. There is a concussion, some cracked and bruised ribs, and his right shoulder blade is fractured. He should regain full use of his arm and full mobility, but he will have to spend at least a few weeks resting and recovering, and attend physical therapy. He’ll be just fine.”
The relief that washes over me is so intense, my knees shake. Haven is clutching my arm, and I hold her just as tightly to stay upright myself.
“Can we see him?” Christian asks.
“Yes,” the doctor nods. “He’s down the hall. Room 104.”
With that, he turns and walks away. Haven sags against me, and we hug. Thank God…Garrett’s going to be okay. He’s hurt, but he’ll recover.
“Come on,” Christian says. “Let’s go see him.”
The four of us move down the hallway to Room 104. The door is open, so we make our way inside. Garrett is lying in a hospital bed, his right arm fully wrapped in a stabilizing manner and his handsome face covered in bruises. My stomach twists, and I have to fight to maintain my composure. It’s been so long since I’ve been in a hospital like this. My mom died in an accident, and every bit of that memory is slowly resurfacing as I stare at Garrett.
I hate seeing him like this—broken and in pain. He’s always been so strong. So protective. He was the one who stepped up when his and Haven’s mom got sick and took care of everyone. He sacrificed so much in order to keep his family together.
Garrett looks up at us as we enter and gives us a tired smile.
“Hey, guys,” he says.
Haven rushes to him and takes his good hand. “Garrett! Oh, my God! I’ve been so worried.”
“I’m okay,” he assures her, pulling her in for a one-armed hug. “I promise, Haven.”
Haven sinks into his embrace, and Garrett flinches. He keeps his pain contained, holding back so he doesn’t upset Haven any more than she already is. Even if he hides it from everyone else, he can’t hide it from me. I can read Garrett better than anyone because I’ve been crushing on him for so many years.
“Garrett, I’m so sorry this happened,” Christian says, running a hand through his hair as he shakes his head. “I should’ve just gone myself. This was my responsibility, and I…”
“If you had, it’d be you in this bed instead of me,” Garrett tells him in a firm tone. “What would Haven do then? Oliver? The rest of the company? This isn’t on you, man. I offered to go in your place and I’m glad I did.”
“Fuck,” Christian murmurs, his expression twisted with his guilt. “I’m going to take care of this, okay? The company will take responsibility for your treatments and anything else, and I’m going to figure out what the hell caused that machinery to blow like that.”
Garrett gives him a reassuring nod. “I know you’ll do right by me. We’re good, I swear.”
He looks up and meets my gaze. When he smiles, it’s the same smile he gives to Haven. A brotherly one, and it makes my heart ache with disappointment.
“Hi, Marie,” he says, waving me over.
I cross the room to stand by his bed. He takes my hand and squeezes it.
“Hey, big guy.” I smile down at him. “Glad to see you’re okay.”
“I am,” he assures me. “Thanks for looking out for Haven. I appreciate it.”
I will always be there for Haven, but I wish Garrett would say he’s just happy that I’m there because it’s me. He only ever sees me as his sister or as Haven’s best friend, nothing more, no matter how much I wish he would.
“No problem,” I say, keeping my swirling thoughts to myself. Now’s not the time. “You know I’d do anything for you guys.”
Anything and more. These people are my family, as much as my father, stepmother, and siblings. Sometimes, it feels like more so.
About fifteen minutes later, Ally walks through the door with Oliver in her arms. His face nestled against her shoulder, but he perks up when he spots Garrett.
“Uncle Gary!” he exclaims, frowning as he looks Garrett over. “Are you going to be okay?”
Hearing Oliver call Garrett, Gary, makes me laugh. Only Garrett’s mother ever called him Gary and the fact that Oliver calls him that now, is far too amusing.
Because he hates it.
Garrett gives him a reassuring smile, though I can see the pain in his eyes. “Don’t worry about me, buddy. I’ll be just fine.”
Oliver doesn’t look entirely convinced as he clings to Ally and eyes Garrett warily. This is clearly a lot for the little boy, seeing his uncle in this state.
Haven and Christian exchange a look. I can see that Haven is torn—stay with Garrett, or take Oliver home? Before she or Christian can say anything, I speak up.
“How about Ally and I take Oliver home and watch him tonight? That way you guys can stay here.”
“Oh, Marie, you don’t have to do that,” Haven quickly protests. “It’s okay, Christian and I…”
“It’s not a problem,” I insist. “Really. We’ll just go and stay with him until you guys get home.”
Haven hesitates, but I can tell she wants to say yes. She doesn’t fight the urge for long and slowly nods.
“All right,” she says. “I really, really appreciate it.”
She moves in to give Oliver a hug and a kiss. “You be good for Ally and Marie, okay? Daddy and I will be home soon.”
Oliver nods and glances toward Christian, who gives him a smile and steps closer so he can give the little boy a kiss on the top of his head as well.
“We’ll see you soon, buddy. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” Oliver murmurs. Ally squeezes him to her and he snuggles against her shoulder as he waves to his parents. Ally takes him out of the room and I move to Haven’s side.
I give her a hug and then step back and look back down at Garrett. My throat tightens as I look at his black and blue face, and pressure builds up behind my eyes. I need to get out of here before I burst into tears.
“I’m really glad you’re okay,” I murmur, gazing into his eyes.
“Me too,” he replies, his tone soft.
We stare at each other for several seconds, and there’s so much I want to say to him. How scared I was when I first heard about his accident. How relieved I am that he’s okay.
How much I feel for him.
I think back to when I first realized I was in love with him. It happened in an instant—I was eighteen and in a bad situation with a boy who didn't like to hear ‘no,’ and Garrett came swooping in to defend me. My white knight. I realized then that my feelings for him were more than friendly or sibling-like.
Maybe it’s my imagination, but I feel like something passes between us as our gazes stay locked for longer than entirely necessary. Can he see everything I’m feeling right now? Or am I just being overly optimistic and hopeful?
He pulls his eyes from me, and I snap back to reality. No… I had to have imagined that. Garrett doesn’t want me… not yet.
But maybe someday soon, he will.