“Is he—” My voice breaks, and I swallow. “Is he breathing on his own?”
Isabelle reaches for my hand. “For now. The next few hours are important.”
I step away from Adam, turning my gaze to where she’s seated. Milly’s curled into her side, crying silently while Jonathon sits on her other side, a look of stunned disbelief on his face. Tonight was supposed to be a special night for them.
I crouch in front of Zac’s sister and brush her hair from her face.
“Sorry,” I sign. “I should’ve been with him.”
Milly shakes her head, fresh tears streaming down her face as she throws herself into my arms, her shoulders shaking with her grief. I cling to her, needing her as much as she needs me right now.
“Noah?” A hand lands on my shoulder, and I lift my head to find Jasper’s confused eyes studying me. Dane and a few of our teammates hover behind him.
I shake my head, unable to put any of this into words. Not while Zac’s lying helpless in a hospital bed.
He nods, giving me a reassuring nod before joining our friends. I cast a quick glance around the room, seeing Jade and Theo huddled with an older couple who must be theirparents. Ritter’s leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, while Blake and Everett talk quietly beside him. Doyle’s slumped in a chair, staring at the floor, while Griffin stands nearby, looking like he’s going to be sick.
Everyone’s here for Zac.
Milly pulls away from me, returning to Jonathon’s side, burying her head against his chest as he puts a protective arm around her.
A nurse appears at the door. “They’re still running neuro checks,” she tells Adam and Isabelle, though her warm eyes travel the room as she speaks. “Once he’s stable, we’ll let in immediate family only.”
I climb to my feet and search for Hannah, finding her already by my side.
“He’s going to be okay,” she murmurs, cupping my cheek.
I lean into her touch and squeeze my eyes shut. He has to be okay.
I can’t lose him.
Two hours later,I’m slumped in a hospital chair with Hannah asleep beside me, her head resting on my lap. It’s been a while since we received an update, and I’m desperately trying to keep it together on the outside, while my insides are completely shredded.
I should’ve told him I love him.
The words were on the tip of my tongue. I should’ve had the courage to tell him how much he means to me.
What if the swelling doesn’t subside?
What if he doesn’t wake up?
What if?—
Someone sits down beside me and shoves a coffee into my hand. I look up to meet Jasper’s perceptive gaze.
“You’re the person Kincaid’s been seeing.”
There’s no malice or contempt in his tone, only curiosity.
Knowing there’s no point denying it, I take a sip of my coffee and nod.
He glances down at Hannah, still sound asleep. “Are the three of you…”
I almost choke on my coffee. “No. I—I’m gay.”
A slight widening of his eyes is the only reaction he gives. “So Hannah was just… what? A front to hide your relationship with Zac?”
My stomach twists. I sound like an arsehole, but he’s hit the nail on the head. “It’s a little more complicated than that,” I mutter.
