“Nothing, it’s fine. Well, it’s not. We’re about to go out. Just wait, I’ll text you when we’re out of the house. Go out the front door, lock it behind you. Okay?”
“Sure, but…”
I grab my black hoodie from beside him. Jason is watching me, unblinking.
“Is everything okay?” he asks.
“Don’t worry about it. This has nothing to do with you, I promise.”
“Dude, talk to me.”
“It’s a family thing, so I shouldn’t, right? That’s our deal.”
His face falls. “Oh, okay. Up to you, man.”
I slide the door shut again, then I go back to the living room. Luke’s already gone outside. I lock the door behind me, and go down to Luke’s car. It’s a black Ford Mustang convertible that he got for his eighteenth birthday. It’s his pride and joy, along with Eddie.
I climb into the passenger seat and pull on my seat belt.
Luke spins the car out onto the road and then steps on the gas.
We drive in silence. The radio is playing some crappy pop song about generic true love.
Barf.
“Hey,” I say.
“Yeah?”
“You might want to slow down.”
He was starting to speed. Only just, but I noticed it.
“You’re right,” he says. “Sorry.”
He’s clearly messed up. I am, too. But I don’t think it’s properly hit me yet. My dad is supposed to be untouchable, the strongest one out of all of us.
If they can get him …
I know this is his war. After Grandad died, Dad is the one who spearheaded the charge to fight the Donovans. I do know that most of us wanted some form of retaliation. Still, I get a sense sometimes that not everyone is okay with the fact that it’s turned into an all-out war.
I hate thinking this, but maybe this will be a sign he needs to stop the fighting.
That would honestly be such a relief.
I can’t believe I’m thinking it, though. I should hate the Donovans more than I ever have.
Up ahead, I can see Mercy Hospital. The parking lot is a massive tower, and the words “MERCY” are in dark blue neon on the side. Between the “M” and the “E” is a cross, which feels a little bit over-the-top to me, but whatever.
Luke parks in the closest free spot, and we climb out, and start heading toward the front door. The lot is dark and still. Luke practically jogs across it, and I try to keep up.
To be honest, I can’t help but feel slightly responsible for this. Maybe I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. I hang out with Jason one time, and then this happens. I know there’s no direct link, and I shouldn’t feel this way.
But still, I do.
The hospital’s walls are cream colored, and the floors are speckled blue. The desk and furnishings are all modern and sleek, which feels promising. Luke broke his arm when he was younger, and the place he went was ancient. This place looks top-notch. It smells clean, like antiseptic spray. It’s so strong my nose starts tingling.
Luke takes me down a hallway, and we reach a waiting room.
Inside, most of my family has gathered. We fill almost the entire space. Everyone looks tired and drained. It’s Millers only, no allied families.
Everyone glances my way. A few of them sneer at me.
Luke was right. I should’ve been here right away, as I’m sure Luke was. And yet, I wasn’t.
They don’t need it, but this is clearly another strike against me.
Luke goes across the room and sits down. I sit beside him.
And we wait.
After a few hours, a doctor finally steps into the waiting room. I’ve never felt so sick.
We all huddle around the doctor. Luke is closest to her.
“Just tell us,” he says. “Is he okay?”
“It was touch-and-go for a second there, but it’s looking good,” says the doctor. She’s in blue scrubs and holding a clipboard. “We managed to get the bullets out and stop the bleeding. He’s expected to make a full recovery. Your old man’s quite the fighter.”
Relief washes over the crowd.
He’s going to be okay.
“We’ll keep him in an induced coma for the next few days, to give his body some time to heal. You’ll be able to sit with him during visiting hours, but for now, I advise you all to go home and get some rest. It’s been a long night, but the worst is over.”
Vince goes up to her and shakes her hand. As he does, I notice he’s handed her a wad of cash.