A grin breaks over my face. “So will I.”
“Let’s go and eat that breakfast I spent all morning slaving over,” Cassie says.
“Sounds good to me.” Axel goes to the door as Cassie throws me a wink.
“So you’re warming up to me,” I say quietly as we go inside.
“Lukewarm,” she says with a taunting grin.
I give her a soft shove, and she pushes me back.
Right here and right now, I can almost make myself believe that no time has passed. And that we’ve been friends all along.
Chapter
Fourteen
We getto the hospital to find it under siege from reporters congregated outside the main entrance.
“Great,” Cassie mutters, “the news must’ve broken about Dad’s accident.”
Axel hardens his jaw. “Evidently.”
My throat closes. I swallow to clear it. “What do we do?” I cup my hand around my neck.
Axel thrusts out his jaw. “We go straight through them. Ignore everything they say and keep walking. Just follow my lead.”
“Should I let y’all go in alone? I can stay in the car. That way y’all can have family time.”
Axel reaches for my hand and links his fingers through mine. “You’re with me to stay.” He gives me a meaningful look.
Emotion overtakes me. Normally, I’d love to hear that. But right now, all I can think about is how this is all going to end abruptly when he learns the truth. Those reporters will snap photos of Axel and me. And then it won’t be long before they discover my identity. I guess it’s poetic justice that I’m about to get hounded by the press.
“Y’all ready for this?” Axel looks from me to Cassie.
“Let’s do it.” She hardens her eyes like she’s preparing for battle.
We stride across the parking lot. Axel holds my hand in a vise grip, our fingers clasped. I wish I had a pair of sunglasses. The instant the reporters spot us, they rush up. Several thrust microphones in our faces as bright lights from cameras flash in all directions.
Questions come at us like bullets.
“What’s the word on your dad?”
“Who’s the new woman?”
“Does this mean that you and Zoe are over?”
Stone-faced, Axel plows through them, pulling me with him. I look straight ahead, both mortified and appalled by the situation. Being surrounded by these story-hungry reporters makes me despise my own kind. How could I have ever been party to this? Maybe in some ways I’m even worse than these sharks. At least they’re showing their faces. I did all of my dirty work under the cloak of a pen name while sitting behind a computer.
We go up to the second floor and to Randall’s room. Cassie rushes in first, with Axel next. I follow and hang back to give them space.
“Dad,” Cassie gushes, “you’re awake.” She leans over and kisses his cheek.
“Hey, honey.” His voice is gravelly and weak as he holds up his hand for her to clasp.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” she breathes.
“I’ll be fine.” He offers a faint smile.
