14. Chapter 14
Idon”t know how life can get any better. I just spent the weekend with my niece and we had a blast. Our painting party was complete with a cake we baked together. After doing each other”s nails, we watched Disney movies all weekend from a fort we built in the living room.
Basically, all the things my parents wouldn”t let us do growing up. Liz and I had fun and I can’t wait to do it again.
Then to come back to Oakside and despite the weather being lousy and my class having to be canceled, I had one of the best days I never expected with Zane.
Who would think that watching a movie would turn into the best sex of my life? But it did, and as we lie in his bed together, I felt safe. Not wanting the trance to be broken, but my phone is ringing and I know I need to see who is calling. When I see it’s Mom, I ignore it. Whatever she has to say, I don”t want to hear it.
But when my dad calls back immediately after, I know something is wrong.
It”s my dad.I say to Zane before I answer the call.
“Dad?” I ask, sitting up and starting to get dressed. While I’m talking to my father, I can”t be sitting here naked. Even though I know he can”t see me, I just can”t do it.
“Sweetheart.” His voice is broken in a way I”ve never heard before in my life and instantly I know whatever he is going to tell me isn”t going to be good.
“What is it?” I freeze, waiting for what I’m sure is bad news.
“There was an accident. Kaylee and Brian were hit by a drunk driver,” he says, his voice breaking.
“Okay. What hospital have they been taken to? Let”s get there and I can sit with Liz while you go see them.” My mind is racing and I’m planning all the logistics.
“We need you to come get Liz right now. We are packing and from what we are told it”s not something Liz needs to see. When it”s time, you can bring her.” Dad is more composed now, and I’m relieved.
“I”m on my way. I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” I say, racing to put on my clothes. Hanging up, I look at Zane, who is watching me with anxiety.
Family emergency. I have to go get my niece,” I say not sure what else to tell him.
He nods, walking over to me and pulls me into his arms. His embrace is calming and exactly what I need right now. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I reluctantly pull away. While I don”t want to move out of his comforting and safe arms, I have to get going. Zane grabs me for a quick kiss.
Let me know if you need anything. I mean that, he says.
Nodding, I finish getting dressed. Then I pull him in for another quick kiss before I”m out the door.
I”m such a mess praying everything is okay, that I don”t even see Lexi when I hit the lobby until she stands right in front of me.
“Carlee, are you okay?” She places her hands on my shoulders.
“My sister was in a car accident. I need to go get my niece so my parents can go to my sister,” I say.
“Oh shit. You are in no condition to drive. Let Noah drive you,” she urges.
“No, I will need my car.” At least I think I will.
“Listen, he will drive your car anywhere you need to go, and then I will come get him once you’re home.”
“I”m not taking no for an answer. You are in no state to drive.” Noah says, walking to up me and taking my keys out of my hand.
“Are you sure?” I ask, not wanting to be a burden.
“Positive. You are a friend and we want to be there for you,” Noah says.
“Thank you.” I’m not used to this kind of support from people.
Lexi hugs me, and then Noah is helping me out to my car. It would be funny if I wasn’t so stressed that when he climbs into the driver’s seat, he is folded like a pretzel as he waits for the seat to slide slowly backward.
“Sorry, I know I”m short,” I say.
“It”s okay. Every time I get in the car after my wife drives it, I have to do the same thing. I”m used to it.” He tells me, smiling. “So, where are we going?”
“My parents’ house.” After I give him directions, my thoughts run anxiously through my mind. Thankfully, he doesn”t try to talk Instead he puts on the radio and leaves me to my worries.
When we pull into my parents’ driveway, I pause when Noah starts to get out.
“Please, will you wait here? Trust me, with how my parents are, you will want to avoid it,” I tell him.
“I”ve faced worse. I”m stuck to your side until things calm down. Lexi would murder me otherwise,” he says.
“That might be kinder than my parents.” But I don”t try to stop him as he follows me up to their door.
Once I get there, I knock because this place hasn”t felt like home in a really long time.
My mom opens the door with tears in her eyes, and seems startled when she sees Noah.
“This is not the time to bring home some stray guy. Carlee, what is wrong with you?”
I open my mouth to defend myself, but Noah beats me to it.
“Ma”am, my name in Noah Carr. Carlee is friends with my wife, Lexi. When she got the call, she was with us, and I decided to drive her because she was in no position to drive herself. I am strictly her to support here and your family,” Noah says in a sweet voice that seems to calm my mom right down.
“Well, that is so nice. Come on in,” Mom says.
No sooner do I step into the room, than Liz runs past everyone and right into my arms. I pick her up and she wraps her legs around my waist.
“This is my niece, Liz. Liz, this is my friend Noah,” I say as tears fill my eyes.
“Here is Liz”s bag. If she needs anything else, you have the key Kaylee’s place.” Dad tells me as walks up to us.
Noah takes the bag from my dad and introduced himself again.
“Our flight leaves in four hours, but we are going to leave now and wait at the airport,” Mom says.
While I know it”s only an hour’s drive to the airport, it won”t do any good sitting around here fussing.
“What happened?” I ask.
“After seeing his mom in the hospital, they were heading back to Brian”s parents and were hit head on by a drink driver. Both of them are unconscious. That’s all we know. We got the call because we were listed as an emergency contact in Kaylee’s phone,” Dad says.
“Okay, well, keep me updated. I will take care of Liz and as soon as you can, let us know and we’ll come up and visit.”
All the way to the car, Liz doesn”t let go of me. Fortunately, Noah helps buckle her in and makes sure I”m in the car and buckled up before heading out. I give him directions to my house and by the time we get there, Liz is sound asleep.
“Let me help carry her in,” Noah whispers and I nod, grateful for the help.
Noah follows me up to the house and waits as I unlock the door.
“Here, this way.” I lead him down the hallway to the second door on the right. It”s set up at my guest room, but really it was all Liz who decorated it, so it”s really more her room anyway.
Noah lays her on the bed just as my phone rings.
“It”s my dad,” I say.
“Answer it. I’ll take her shoes off and get her tucked into bed,” Noah says.
I nod and step back into the living room.
“Dad?” I answer.
“Sweetheart,” his voice is choked up and I can hear Mom wailing in the background. My heart sinks because I instantly know without him saying anything, it’s not good. When his words reach my ears, my world shatters.
“Kaylee and Brian didn”t make it. Brian died on the way to the hospital and Kaylee died on the operating table.”
Whatever he says after that, I have no idea. Because the phone falls from my hand and a moment later, Noah is there. My throat hurts and I realize I”m screaming “No!” over and over again.
It isn”t until I pick my head up from Noah’s shoulder where there’s a huge wet spot on his shirt from my tears that I see I woke up Liz. Her tear-filled eyes are staring at me in shock.
“Aunt Carlee?” she cries out.
I hold up my arms and she runs into them while Noah holds us both.
“I’m so sorry, baby. They didn”t make it,” I say as we both burst into sobs gathered there in Noah’s arms.