“So, you still didn’t tell him.” It’s a statement, not a question.
Cael pushed his hand through his hair and sighed. “Gramms…”
Gramms set the hot pan on a wire cooling rack on the counter, then closed the oven and pulled off the oven mitts, setting them on the orange countertop before looking at him. “Don’t you think he deserves to know how you feel?”
“Yeah, probably, but I told you, I can’t. It would make everything weird.”
Cael glanced over his shoulder, confirming Zach’s muffled voice still in the other room. Circling the breakfast bar, Cael joined her in the kitchen. He leaned back against the orange counter, crossing his legs at the ankles and his arms over his chest. From here, he could at least watch for Zach to enter from the living room where he’d left him.
Gramms grabbed the damp washcloth from the sink and proceeded to wipe down the laminate countertop. “What I don’t know is how you don’t see why you need to tell him.”
“I— Wait. Have you been talking to Chloe?”
“Not in the last week. Why?”
“Because she said something similar. I don’t get it, Gramms. What is it I’m not seeing?”
Gramms rinsed the washcloth and refolded it neatly, then hung it over the faucet. After drying her hands with the kitchen towel hanging just below the sink, she came over and paused right in front of him, her blue-gray eyes warm and comforting.
“Can you not see how much he cares about you?” she whispered.
Cael furrowed his brow. “Well, yeah. We’ve been best friends for years, so—”
“Tsk. That’s not what I’m talking about.”
“Gramms, I—” Movement in the background caught his eye, and he looked up to see a teary-eyed Zach rushing toward him. Cael moved away from Gramms immediately and out of the kitchen to intercept him, wondering what the hell had happened.
“I have to go.” Zach choked on his words. He looked at Gramms. “I’m sorry, Gramms. Cael, we have to go.”
His chest tightened. Zach never called him Cael unless it was something serious. “Okay, but what is it? What happened?”
“It’s Abbey. She was in a car accident. Taylor was with her. They’re at St. Anthony’s. Mom said—”
Zach’s words failed him, and Cael didn’t even think. He grabbed Zach and pulled him close, holding him as tight as he possibly could. Maybe it was for him more than for Zach. Cael didn’t know. He was afraid to hear the rest. He couldn’t stomach the horrible feeling twisting in his gut right now. It was bad. He knew it was bad. He didn’t want to know, but he needed to know.
Abbey was as much his sister as was his own, and her daughter Taylor wasn’t even two years old yet, but they were at St. Anthony’s, which had a level one trauma center. Between working at the VA hospital and dealing with sports injuries on a regular basis, Cael was familiar with the capabilities of the various hospitals in the area, and St. Anthony’s was one of the best.
Zach squeezed his arms around Cael as he buried his face against his neck, his hat popping off and toppling down his back to the floor. His warm tears dampened Cael’s skin, soaking into his shirt. Zach took a deep, shuddering breath.
“Mom said Taylor will be okay, but Abbey… Abbey might not make it. She’s in emergency surgery right now.” He breathed in deeply again, then lifted his head and pulled away, rubbing his eyes. “Cael, what if—”
Cael cut him off. “No. Don’t even think it. Your sister’s tough. She’s gonna make it. C’mon. I’ll drive.” Cael clasped his hand, again not thinking, and started dragging him toward the door.
“Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry,” Gramms said as she followed them, tears in her eyes as well. She handed Zach his hat, having picked it up when it fell, and Zach put it on as Cael grabbed both jackets. “Drive safe now, Cael. And call me as soon as you know more.”
“I will, Gramms. Love you.”
“Love you both,” she replied.
***
The second they walked through the emergency room’s sliding glass doors, Zach’s dad greeted them, wrapping them each in a firm, silent hug. Zach first. Then Cael. Cael caught a few of the people in the waiting area looking at them, but he ignored them. His sole focus was to be here for Zach and his family.
“How is she?” Zach asked, his voice strained.
“We don’t know, son. Far as we know, they’re still trying to stabilize her.” Alex paused, his bottom lip trembling, as he closed his eyes. Tears gathered along his already damp lashes. He looked like he was nearing his breaking point, trying his best to keep himself together. Cael couldn’t even imagine how much Alex was hurting right now, to know he might never see his daughter alive again. Never see her sparkling green eyes or brilliant smile. Never hear her voice or her laugh. It was a heartbreaking agony no one should ever have to experience.
“Dad?” Zach whispered hoarsely.
