The Cursed Series, Parts 3 & 4 (Cursed #3-4) - Rebecca Donovan Page 0,79

me.”

I open my mouth to argue, but he cuts me off, “It wasn’t a request. I’ll phone Olivia and let her know that you won’t be able to come back to the hospital until this evening, but then you’re returning to Blackwood tonight. This town is not good for you, Lana. And the faster I get you out of it, the better.”

Niall leaves soon after, and the boys stand awkwardly, unsure what to do next.

“Do you need anything?” Joey asks at the same time Parker says, “I brought your things in …”

I notice the overnight bag and the wooden box set on a regal, blue and white striped chair in the corner of the room. The backpack with my things in it is still in the bathroom.

“Would you mind grabbing my backpack?” I ask Joey. And then I thank Parker.

“Want to watch a movie?” Lance offers, prepared to jump on the bed next to me.

Parker grabs hold of his shoulder. “I think Lana should get some sleep.” He looks to me. “We’ll be downstairs if you need anything.” Parker guides Lance out of the room as Joey returns with my things.

“Do you want it? Or should I put it on the chair?”

“I want the phone,” I tell him.

He sets the backpack on the bed. I reach in and pull out Blackwood’s phone, not the one I intended to grab. A message appears before I can drop it back into the bag, so I keep hold of it and retrieve the other.

“Thanks. I figured I should call Nick myself, so my mom doesn’t worry.”

“Nick? My uncle … I mean …”

“Yes, him,” I answer with a heavy breath.

“Was that what the dinner argument was about?” Joey’s eyes widen like he’s seeing it in a completely new way.

I nod. “Mostly. Before you get the wrong impression, my mother didn’t steal him away or anything. They were already separated, and, well, Cassandra—”

“Was just being Cassandra,” Joey finishes, shaking his head in disapproval. “She’s always been a little dramatic. And self-centered. And vicious.”

“Oh, is that it?” I laugh lightly. “She sounds delightful.”

Joey grins. “Well … I’ll let you get some rest. Not sure when the doctor will be here, but I’ll bring him up when he arrives. Oh, and just so you know, I spoke with Mrs. Pixley. Allie’s stable. She didn’t go into detail about what happened, just something about Allie’s brain activity. But she’s still with us.”

I blink to keep the incessant tears from draining out of my eyes. I almost never cry, and suddenly, I can’t shut them off. This summer has broken some sort of emotional dam inside of me. It’s annoying. I clear my throat, which has decided to get all choked up too. “Uh, thank you … for everything.”

“We’ll figure this out, Lana. You’re not alone.”

I smile weakly. The phone in my hand flashes with another text, drawing my attention. Not ready to respond just yet, I abandon it on the bed.

When Joey leaves, I call Nick. I’m evasive and vague but say I’ll be by to see her later. They’re still waiting on the test results anyway. He promises to call when they know anything.

Then I open the notifications on the Blackwood phone. “Holy shit.”

Before I can read any of the million texts from Grant and Ashton, the other phone buzzes in my hand, causing my heart to skip a beat. The incoming call is unknown. My skin prickles with sweat. I’m prepared for it to be someone from the hospital calling to tell me my mother has something seriously wrong with her. But it’s even worse than I feared.

“What the hell is going on? Why are you in Sherling?”

Brendan.

“Who told you?” Then I remember who I’m talking to. “Oh, right. I’m surprised you don’t have the results of my mother’s bloodwork already. Maybe I should have waved to you from Allie’s room.”

Brendan is deathly silent.

“What do you want, Brendan? I don’t have patience for your bullshit. It’s been a really bad day.”

“We’ll talk when you get back,” he says, his quiet tone cold as ice. Then he hangs up.

I yank one of the pillows off the bed and scream into it. It hurts every muscle in my core, which makes me scream again.

The door flies open.

“What’s wrong?”

I lift my face from the silky white fabric and find Lance in the doorway, ready to … I don’t know what, but he looks like he’s expecting to slay a dragon. When he realizes it’s just me and a pillow,