Chapter Twenty-Eight #3
In fact, I’m so exhausted after worrying and monitoring Mom’s health for days, that I barely notice my phone buzzing in my pocket.
Maybe it’s one of my Sutton U friends? I texted Silas yesterday to let him know what was happening, and he was going to reach out to everyone in our circle.
When I pull out my phone, however, Sel’s name flashes, and I signal to Dad that I’m stepping outside.
I tap on the phone to accept the call.
“Hey you.”
“How’s your mom today?” Sel asks.
“Her fever’s down, and she knows what’s going on when she wakes, but she’s still pale and lethargic. They’ve taken more blood tests. All we can do is hope that the antibiotics are starting to work. We’re clinging to that.”
“That sounds positive. And you? Your dad and siblings?”
I lean against the wall and drop my head back.
“I still can’t sleep more than a couple of hours at night.” I sigh. “The rest of my family are the same. Everyone’s on edge.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“When do you get here?”
“We’re about to take off, so maybe two hours? I booked a room at the Bancroft Hotel, so I’ll only be a couple of blocks from the hospital. I decided to stay the night and fly to Cali in the a.m.”
“But that means you’ll only get two days with your family.”
“I explained the situation and my mom understands. Speaking of family, did you tell yours I’d be stopping by?”
“Right after we finish this call.”
“Is there anything I can bring?”
“You.” My voice wobbles. “All I need is you.”
“I’m coming.”
I shove my phone back in my pocket and switch gloves again before heading back inside the room.
“Sorry about that,” I say to my dad. “Now, I think it’s time you go home, eat, shower, and rest for a while. I’ll be right here.”
“I don’t think I should leave—”
“You’re going to be admitted next if you don’t take care of yourself.”
“What if—”
“She’s stable for now, Dad. Go. I’ll call you right away if there’s any change.”
“Alright, but I’ll only be gone a couple of hours,” he states and stands up. “Who were you on the phone with?”
“Sel.” I look away and stare out the window. “It turns out he’s leaving Minnesota today, and he’s got a layover in Omaha before he heads to California to see his family.”
“What’re the odds?”
“I know, right?” I don’t look at my dad for fear that everything I’m thinking about Sel will show on my face. “And since he and I have become…close…he wants to stop in and say hi, see if we need anything.”
“That’s awful kind.”
“It is. He’s—” I clear my throat. “Wonderful.”
My throat is so dry that I can’t say anything else.
“You sure you’re okay here?”
I turn to him and nod.
“Will’s stopping by soon.”
Dad walks over to me and pulls me into a bear hug.
“Thanks, son.”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
The door swings open and Will appears, rolling into the room with a tray of coffees and a bag from my favorite downtown bakery.
“We were just talking about you,” I smirk as Will offers me the tray.
“And Finn’s teammate, who’s gonna drop by,” Dad adds.
Will stares at me, confused, and I mouth, “Later.”
“I was awake early.” Will smiles. “I thought you could both use real food.”
“Thanks.” Dad pats his shoulder. “But I’m heading home for a bit to shower and rest.”
“Good,” Will replies. “It’s about time.”
Dad gives Will a hug before stopping by my mom’s bedside to take her hand. I can’t hear what he’s whispering to her, but I can tell he’s scared to leave. Once he’s done talking, he turns back to us.
“Any change, you call me right away,” Dad insists.
“Yes. Now go get some sleep,” Will calls out over his shoulder.
I didn’t think I was all that hungry, but suddenly my appetite is making itself known. Snatching the bag from Will’s lap, I rip it open. Ah, runza. They’re like pizza pockets only stuffed with beef, cabbage, spices, and sometimes, cheese.
“Oh, man, I’m going to eat all of these.”
Will chuckles. “I bought two dozen just in case.”
“I wonder if they make these in New York.” I grab one of the pastries and stuff half of it into my mouth. “I’m gonna have to do some research when I get back.”
Will eyes me as I sit down.
“So, what’s this about a teammate in town?”
“Sel Kirkland. I’ve talked about him before.”
Will nods.
“He has a, uh, a layover and might stop by to say hello,” I offer between bites. “Later. Maybe.”
Definitely.
“That’s a pretty awesome thing he’s doing,” Will murmurs.
“I know.”
Will grabs a runza and starts munching away. I do the same, trying to avoid the awkward silence. Once he’s done eating, he sips on his coffee.
“Finn.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s me. What’s really going on?”
“Nothing.”
I can already feel a hot blush creeping up my cheeks.
“You can’t lie for shit. Not to me. Him flying here isn’t a coincidence, yeah?”
Will’s right. I can’t lie for shit, but especially to my brother, so I shake my head.
“No.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yeah.” Will shrugs.
“Don’t you want to know why?”
He shakes his head.
“Only if you want to tell me.”
I’m sweating so hard I’ve probably got pit stains on my shirt. Then I glance across the room at Mom. She looks tiny and frail in that bed, but she’s fucking brave, still fighting, and a reminder that I only have one life.
“I want to tell you,” I confess. “But it may take a while.”
“We have coffee and runza, so talk away.”