“We should go look for him,” Cody said.
Walter appeared, his hand firm on Cody’s shoulder. “Absolutely not. The weather’s taken a turn for the worst. You’re not going anywhere.”
“But what if he needs help?” Cody asked.
“Then I’ll go look for him,” Walter said. “But you kids stay here where it’s safe.”
At this point, Jason had come over to where they were all clustered together.
“I’ll go look for him,” Jason said tightly. “He’s had an accident. I’m sure of it.”
“I know these roads better than anyone,” Walter said. “Let me go.”
“You should go together,” Grace said. “You and Jason.”
“Yes, good idea,” Walter said. “Let’s get our jackets.”
The two men headed toward the coat check.
Reese stood frozen, her mind spiraling. Had Roan bailed on her? Again? Just like prom? He’d promised to be here and he wasn’t coming and she’d been stupid to trust him, stupid to believe that he’d truly changed.
No, that couldn’t be right. He wouldn’t have committed to the boys and leave like this. Or to her. She knew that deep down, yet insecurity clawed its way up her spine and into her restless mind. An awful, hollow, aching void opened in her chest. The same one she’d had all those nights ago.
“Reese.” Mauve’s voice cut through her thoughts, pulling her aside to speak softly into her ear. “Breathe. Just breathe.” Mauve sounded far away, her voice muffled.
“Do you think he’s left me again?” Reese asked.
Mauve took her shaking hands in her own. “No way. But something’s obviously wrong. An accident or car trouble.”
“Or he changed his mind. About me. He just couldn’t tell me.” Her voice was rising now.
“Reese, you’re not thinking straight. He would not leave you—or the boys,” Mauve said.
Reese shook her head, numb. She could fall apart later. Right now she had to keep it together for the kids. “It doesn’t matter. He’s not here when I needed him to be. Let’s get on with our night.”
Then she heard it. A commotion at the entrance. Someone gasping.
“Call 9 1 1!”
“Oh my God, what’s happened to him?”
“Someone help him!”
Reese turned toward the door and her heart stopped.
Roan. Stumbling through the entrance, soaking wet, his face gray and his lips blue. He was shaking so violently he could barely stand. He took two steps into the room, his eyes searching, finding her.
“Reese, I’m here.” Then his legs gave out and he collapsed onto the floor.
Reese was running before she knew she was moving, her heels clicking frantically across the polished floor. She dropped to her knees beside him, her hands reaching for his face. “Roan?”
He didn’t respond. His eyes were closed, his breathing shallow. His skin was ice cold to the touch.
“He’s freezing,” Reese said, frantic.
Jason appeared on Roan’s other side, dropping to the floor. “We need to get him to the hospital.”
A man shoved his way through the crowd. “I’m Dr. Lawrence. Everyone give him space.”
