CHAPTER 114
harley
I tried calling but couldn’t get through. I’m sorry to leave this as a text. I’m at the hospital with Aria after an allergic reaction to peanut oil. She’s going to be okay. They’re monitoring her right now. We’re staying here for another few hours. I’ll keep you posted.
HOLLY: I’ll be there shortly.
You don’t need to do that.
HOLLY: I’m coming whether you want me to or not.
HOLLY: Is there anything I can bring you?
Would you be willing to pick up pajamas for when we’re discharged? I threw out her dress to make sure we didn’t chance anything.
HOLLY: Absolutely.
Thank you. I’m sorry for interrupting.
HOLLY: Don’t be. She’s my favorite little hellion.
As I wrapped up texting her, Peaceful Pines lit up my phone. I quickly dismissed the call. They’d leave a message. They’d already left one today, asking me to call back. I just didn’t have the energy to do so.
Hours had passed. The chaos had settled into the kind of stillness that could only be described as the calm after the storm. The machines hummed softly, steady and reassuring. I tracked all of them. My gaze drifted between all of them and back to Aria on repeat.
I couldn’t help it. Like if I stopped, something might change. Like she might just disappear on me if I wasn’t paying close enough attention.
She was okay.
I knew that.
I could see it in all of the machines and the undisturbed way she slept. And yet, I kept checking. Over and over and over again. Because my body couldn’t catch up. The tension sat heavily in my chest. Everything was tight and uncomfortable. My foot tapped against the floor with restless energy.
Inhale…
I had to do something, or I’d fall apart right there.
Exhale…
I couldn’t do that. Not in front of her.
I carefully slipped my trembling hand from hers and stood. I hovered for a second to watch her chest rise and fall, making sure it was still steady.
“I’ll be right back,” I said, my voice rough in my throat. “Keep an eye on her, please?”
Maverick said… something. I just assumed yes. It was about the only comfort I had as I made my way stiff-legged to the bathroom. I eased the door shut behind me. The second it clicked, anxiety slammed into me like a fucking truck.
My hands braced against the sink as my head dropped forward, my breath catching in my throat. My chest tightened so fast it felt like it was caving in on itself while my heart slammed violently against my ribs.
Inhale…
Exhale…
The air stopped short like my lungs had forgotten how to work.
“Fuck…” I choked out.
The room tilted, and I crouched, clinging to the sink for dear life.
Inhale…
Exhale…
My vision blurred at the edges as the panic increased, overwhelming and unbearable. A pathetic sound escaped me.
My fingers tightened around the sink as I tried to ground myself—tried to pull myself out of it before it got worse.
Inhale…
Exhale…
Images flashed through my mind. Things I didn’t want to remember.
Aria gasping.
Her face swollen.
Her hands clawing at the table.
Inhale…
Exhale…
A sob tore through me that I tried to choke down. Tried to hold in. Tried to keep silent.
She could’ve died.
That single thought screamed on repeat in my mind.
Inhale…
Exhale…
The door clicked, and I surged to my feet, stumbling back as the room spun
“Hey, hey.” Strong hands grabbed me by the waist and kept me upright. “It’s okay.”
Maverick.
I tried to wave him off.
“Fine… I’m…” I couldn’t get the words out.
Inhale…
Exhale…
“You’re not fine,” Maverick said. He hauled me against him in a crushing hug. “Breathe for me, princess…. I’ve got you.”
I tensed, every single instinct telling me to pull away. To get it together. To stand on my own. My hands fisted into the front of his shirt, gripping tight as another shaky breath tore through me.
Inhale…
Exhale…
“You’re okay,” he whispered. One hand came up and tangled in my hair, holding me close. “Just breathe with me… deep breath in…”
I did it because I didn’t have any fight left in me.
Inhale…
The breath rattled in my lungs, uneven and unsteady.
“Good. That’s good,” he murmured. “Exhale for me…”
Exhale.
His voice stayed low and steady. It cut through the noise in my mind. Each breath came a little easier than the last as I focused on his instruction. My body still trembled, and my chest was still tight, but at least I could breathe.
“She could’ve….” My voice broke before I could finish. Fuck.
“I know,” Maverick said softly. My forehead fell to his shoulder. The ebb of panic gave way to the emotional crash. My eyes burned hot as the tears came fast. A sob tore through me, and his arms tightened. “She’s okay… she’s okay.”
She was, but I wasn’t.
She was, but I definitely wasn’t. Not by a long shot.