I rest a hand on her back, whispering over and over again that I’m sorry, and that I’m okay.
I look up at Dad, standing behind Mum, and guilt takes root in my chest as I see the tortured look in his eyes. This is the second time my parents have received a phone call like this. I’m sure, based on the last time this happened, my parents’ minds went to the worst-case scenario.
“Gave us quite a fright, son.”
Mum stands up, wiping under her eyes, as Dad moves in behind her, wrapping his arms around her middle.
“I don’t know what happened.” I shake my head, not knowing what else I can do to offer them comfort. I feel selfish that, through their pain, all I’m thinking about is what happened to Isabelle.
“Do you guys know if my phone got brought in? Or is anyone else in the waiting room?”
As soon as I ask the question, Mason and Beth walk through, followed by Grams and Grandpa.
Beth rounds the bed, hopping straight onto the mattress to lie against my side.
“Beth, be careful of your brother’s ribs, sweetie,” Dad says softly.
“Doctor said they weren’t broken.” Beth’s words are muffled against my shoulder. She locks my arm in both of hers, refusing to let go. I kiss the top of her head, making her look up at me. Her makeup is smudged, and her normally pin-straight hair is a frizzy mess.
“I’m okay,” I say.
Beth’s chin wobbles, and her eyes well up. I have to shut my own eyes, hating to see her hurt.
More footsteps come into the room, and when I open my eyes, Caleb stands at the end of my bed, his arm slung over Lex’s shoulder.
I sit up, ignoring the pain. “Where is she?”
“Gage, sit down.” Mum puts a hand on my shoulder, trying to push me back against the pillows.
“Where’s who?” Caleb asks. “The other driver?”
I try to ease back, closing my eyes as I breathe through the pain slicing through my middle. “No,” I say, gritting my teeth. “Where’s Isabelle?”
“Why would Iz be here?” Caleb asks, full of concern.
I sigh, holding a hand to my ribs. “She was in the car with me.” I close my eyes. I can’t look at my brother. I know he’s friends with Isabelle. He warned me off her at the start, but I think even he noticed over the last few months that there was a growing attraction there. One I couldn’t help but poke at and provoke.
“Are you still in pain, son? Shall I get the doctor?” Dad asks.
I shake my head, bracing myself for Caleb’s reaction before I open my eyes again.
Lex puts a hand on his chest. “I’ll go see what I can find out,” she says.
He kisses her palm and lets her go. With a shake of his head, he starts patting himself down. “Fuck. I think I left my phone in Lex’s car.”
“I’ll call her,” Beth says, and pulls her phone out of her back pocket.
She rests her hand over my stomach as she scrolls through her phone.
“Bethy, careful of your brother,” Mum stresses, her worry soaking the words.
“It’s his punishment for scaring me.”She’s mad.My sister is as tough as they come, but you don’t mess with family. I bring my hand up to hold onto her wrist, where it rests on me, squeezing her in reassurance.
I can hear her sniffle again, then she puts the phone down on my stomach, bringing her hand to her face and bursts into tears. I can feel them soak my chest through the fabric, so I bring my arm around her, ignoring the screaming in every limb.
“Hey, can you do me a favour?” I whisper.
She nods.
