I nod at Tyler to let the man through, and when I shake his hand, I say, “Quite the successful fundraiser my sister organized.”
“Yes.” He grins from ear to ear. “Since Rachel joined the PTA, everything’s been running smoothly. It’s such an honor to have you here today.”
“Just supporting my niece.”
“Would you like to join me in the teachers’ lounge?” he asks, then he leans in closer. “You’ll have more privacy there.”
“There’s Porsha’s mom,” Lainey says. “Can I stay with them? I want to look at the other tables.”
“Sure.” I glance at Eddie. “Don’t let Lainey out of your sight.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You coming?” I ask Rachel.
“Definitely.”
Walking with Principal Barnes toward the teachers’ lounge, Nova still looks stunned out of her mind, so I take hold of her arm and tug her closer to me.
“Good Lord,” Nova whispers when the fans follow after us, constantly taking photos and calling my name in the hopes of getting my attention.
Principal Barnes lets us walk into the building while he hangs back to tell the crowd of fans, “Go support the fundraiser.”
Knowing Ryan and Noah will keep them from coming into the building, I let out a breath of relief.
When we walk into the lounge, Rachel heads to a fridge, where she helps herself to three bottles of water.
She gives me and Nova each a bottle before she drinks half of hers. Letting out a breath, she says, “You can go home if you want to, and I’ll stay with Lainey for an hour or so.”
“I’m not leaving you alone,” I mutter as I glance around the lounge.
Suddenly, Rachel’s bottle drops to the floor, and the next second, she starts to convulse. I toss my water to the side and grab hold of her just as her body tenses and her eyes roll back in her head.
“Rach!” Nova shrieks, coming to grab hold of Rachel’s hand.
I quickly lower my sister to the floor, then I hear the principal ask, “Does she have epilepsy?”
“No!” I glance around us, then shout, “Tyler!”
He appears in the doorway. “Yes.”
“Bring the car to the front. Now!”
My bodyguard runs off, and I turn my attention back to Rachel. As I take in her clenched jaw and the uncontrolled movements, my heart fucking breaks. So far she’s only been tired and had headaches. This seizure shines a bright light on the fact that Rachel is dying.
Ryan and Noah come rushing into the room. Tyler must’ve told them to check on us.
Even though the seizure only lasts a few seconds longer, it feels like an hour before my sister stills.
“Rachel?” I brush my palm over her hair as I cradle her head to my chest.
It looks like she’s passed out, and my eyes flick to Nova, who’s ungodly pale. “Go get Lainey. Take Ryan with you, and he can bring you to Cedars-Sinai. It’s the hospital I’m taking Rachel to.”
“Okay.” She darts up from the floor and runs out of the room with Ryan right behind her.
Adjusting my arms beneath Rachel, I lift her to my chest as I climb to my feet before looking at Principal Barnes, “Where’s the front exit?”
“This way.”
