Haley’s mom shook her hand and nodded, the worry evident in her misty eyes. “Liz Callahan. How is she?”
“They’re still in there with her, so we don’t know much yet. Why don’t we head over here?” she gestured across the hall to one of the private family waiting rooms.
While Dr. Tomblin led Haley’s mom away, Wes and Morgan stepped closer, standing beside me. Morgan looked me up and down, her frown deepening. “You’re soaking wet and muddy.”
Just then, Trey walked into the ER, carrying a belongings bag in one hand and a small duffle in the other. He stopped right in front ofme. “This was from her car. It’s her purse, phone, keys—anything we could get out of there. And here’s her bag that was in the backseat.”
I didn’t even have to look at Wes to know his expression was laced with confusion as to whyIwas being givenhissister’s things. “Were you one of the officers there?” he asked, and Trey nodded. “Where was the accident?”
“Gilded Hill Bridge.”
“What the hell was she doing overthere?” Wes snapped. “Shewas at home when I last talked to her, which is just a couple of blocks from here.”
“Not sure of those details,” Trey continued. “But it looks like she was headed west toward town, clipped the corner of the concrete rail on the east side, and ended up flipping into that small embankment,” he explained.
Morgan’s eyes went wide at the details. Meanwhile, I stole a glance at Wes…and I saw it—the flicker of realization tightening his jaw as every puzzle piece clicked into place.
My clothes were wet and muddy. Trey was speaking to me as if I knew what was going on while handingmeher things. Haley would have absolutelyno reasonto come that direction over Gilded Hill Bridge. She had no reason for being in that areaat all—unless she was coming frommyhouse.
Wes slowly looked at me, his eyes narrowing as his brow furrowed into a deep crease. His lips moved like he was trying to speak, but nothing came out except a strained, “You…”
I knew at that moment he knew—not the details, or how long, or how serious. But he understoodenough. And Morgan’s face changed, surprise shifting to confirmation of something she already suspected.
As for me, I stood paralyzed, not saying a goddamn word as guilt clawed at my chest. I wanted to rip out an explanation, but I couldn’t. I knew I owed it to him. But at that exact moment? I shoved the guilt so far down I barely felt it, not giving a shit what Wes was thinking or feeling about it, because all I cared about was Haley and whether or not she was okay.
Suddenly, Dr. Wileman stepped out of the room. I immediately walked toward him, my mind glitching as I approached, and for a moment, his face blurred into that of another doctor in a military uniform.
“There was nothing we could have done, Pierson.”
“Haley is stable, Blake.”
“Alden didn’t make it.”
“She’s going to be alright.”
My mind focused on the present and those words he’d just said.
“She’s still out of it. We got labs and X-rays. Pneumo confirmed. I placed a chest tube. We’ve got her on fluids and oxygen. I want to get a CT and start her on antibiotics and some pain meds, but I need to get her history first.”
“She—She’s okay?” I choked out.
He placed a hand on my shoulder, eyes locked on mine as he squeezed gently. “She’s okay, thanks toyou. Your quick thinking may very well have saved her life.”
A ragged breath tore from my chest as relief crashed through me, washing away the adrenaline, the terror, everything. I staggered back into the wall, let go of Haley’s things, and folded in on myself, trembling as my hands braced my thighs.
She’s stable.
She’s okay.
Dr. Wileman was called over to the private waiting room by Dr. Tomblin to speak with Haley’s mom. While Morgan turned to join her to get the update, Wes hesitated.
I slowly lifted my head to meet his steely, green-eyed gaze. He looked like he was torn between wanting to ask the dozens of questions I was sure were running through his mind and decking me.
I knew he was overwhelmed. Probably more so than I was. His sister was lying injured in a hospital bed. And he had just found out his best friend, whose house she’d been coming fromwhen the accident occurred, had been messing with her behind his back.
I’d want to punch me in the face, too.
“Wes,” Morgan gently called out to him.
