I dial his number, my heart pounding in my ears as I count the rings.
He picks up.
“Aidan.” My voice shakes, but I push through it. “I just saw what happened to Liam on TV…” My voice breaks.
“I-I…Kendall, I don’t know if he’s okay. I don’t know if it’s a concussion or something worse, like a brain injury.”
A sob falls from my mouth. “Oh my god. Where are they taking him?”
“Nashville Memorial. Micah and I are leaving the game and heading there now.”
“I’m on my way too.”
He tells me he’ll see me there, and I hang up.
I grab my purse and keys from the coffee table and give Auntie a quick hug.
“Hold on.” She keeps hold of my arms. “Promise me you’ll drive carefully, okay? Don’t you dare drive recklessly and get into an accident, you hear me? I want you to make it to him in one piece.” Her eyes are teary as she looks at me.
My heart aches. “I promise.” I kiss her cheek and run out the front door, jump in my car, and speed off.
I grip the steering wheel, my heart hammering in my chest. My foot feels like lead, but I stay at the speed limit. I promised my aunt I wouldn’t speed.
Only one thought registers in my mind.
Make it to Liam.
The man I’m in love with is hurt, and I need to be with him. I need to see if he’s okay.
I turn into the visitor lot at Nashville Memorial and pull into the first available space. I throw my car in park, kill the engine, and sprint across the lot through the entrance.
My phone buzzes. I slow down to read a text from Micah.
Liam’s in room 414
She says they’re stuck in traffic near the arena, but they’re coming as fast as they can. I speed past the elevators and head straight for the stairs. I run up four flights as fast as I can, my lungs burning, sweat soaking my clothes.
When I hit the fourth floor, I burst through the door, ignoring the woman in scrubs at the reception desk who hollers at me to check in.
Room 414 comes into view. The door is half open.
My heart pounds in my ears as I push open the door and stumble in.
And then I see Liam.
Lying in bed, eyes closed, chest rising and falling with each breath he takes.
My heart shatters in my chest.
Only one word registers in my brain and in my heart.
Love.
I walk over to him and grab his hand.
A beat later, he opens his eyes. The recognition flashes in his soft blue gaze instantly.
The corner of his mouth hooks up into that half-smile that drives me wild. That I adore. Joy bursts through me like fireworks.
