The Endgame Is You (Rixon Raiders #4) - L A Cotton Page 0,67
the floor.
“Look at me,” Hailee said, sliding her hand to my cheek. “You can do this, Cameron. They need you.”
Touching my head to hers, I tried to draw comfort from her. The girl who had stood up beside me through this once already.
“I can’t lose her, Hailee. I just can’t.”
“Ssh,” she whispered. “We don’t know the prognosis yet. Go be with her and your dad. We’ll worry about the rest later.” Hailee’s lips hovered over mine, touching but not kissing. I felt her uncertainty, and I knew I’d been the one to put it there.
But I couldn’t do this, not right now. Not when I didn’t know if my mom was going to make it or not.
“I won’t be long,” I said, pulling away.
“Okay, I’ll be right out here.” Hailee stepped back, wrapping her arms around her chest, barely able to meet my gaze.
I should have apologized, explained that my head was all over the place. But I didn’t.
I couldn’t.
Because this wasn’t like before.
This time, I couldn’t afford to fall apart. Not when my family were already holding on by a thread. This time, I had to step up to the plate and be the brother Xander needed, the son my parents needed.
This time, I had to put them first.
Hailee
“Hi, sweetheart.” My mom came to me in a dream, only when I opened my eyes, she was standing right there.
“Mom?” I pushed up, my muscles sore from sleeping on the row of plastic hospital chairs. “What time is it?”
“A little after one.”
It had been two hours since Cameron and his dad had disappeared into Karen’s room.
“I must have fallen asleep.”
She nodded. “Cameron called and asked me to come and get you.”
“He did?” I frowned, glancing down the hall where I knew he was with his parents.
“They’re going to stay with Karen. He didn’t want you to be out here all by yourself.”
“Oh, okay.” My stomach dipped.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go home.”
But as I got up and let her lead me away, all I could think was I was leaving my home behind in that room.
“It’s so good to see you, Hailee. I just wish it was under better circumstances.” Mom made small talk as we walked to her car. It was dark out, a blanket of stars kissing the inky sky. Such a beautiful scene for such a tragic night.
“Did Cameron say anything else?”
“Just that he didn’t want you to be alone and that you needed to get some rest too.”
I toyed with my cell phone, desperate to text him. But I knew he needed some time with his mom and dad to come to terms with everything.
“It’s such a shame. Karen is a good woman.”
“She is.”
We climbed into the car and I let my head fall against the glass, fighting the wave of tears building inside me.
“Hailee?” Mom asked. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I murmured.
And then I puked all over myself.
I was sick.
By the time Mom had gotten me home, I could barely stand. At first, I’d thought it was just an emotional response to everything that had happened, but I spent most of the night with my head down the toilet bowl.
“How are you feeling?” Mom slipped into my room with a glass of ice-cold water and some crackers.
“Like I got hit by a truck.” I tried to sit up but my stomach roiled.
“Have you heard from Cameron?”
“Nothing.” I stared at my cell, willing it to vibrate.
“I’m sure he’ll call. It’s a lot for them to process.” She placed the glass down and pressed her hand against my forehead. “You don’t feel feverish. It could be something you ate, or a stomach flu.”
“I’ll be okay.” I brushed her off.
“Cameron will probably have to stay away if he’s going to be visiting his mom in the hospital. At least until it passes.”
Great.
Just what I didn’t need.
“I’m really tired, Mom.” I’d barely slept a wink.
“Sure, baby. I’ll let you get some rest. If you need anything...”
“I know, and thanks, for everything.”
“Hailee, you’re my daughter. I will always be here for you. I hope you know that.” She gave me a warm smile, before leaving me alone.
The door had barely closed before the first tear fell.
Hailee
After twenty-four hours, I finally felt human again. But my heart was still bruised. Cameron had texted a couple of times to say he was spending the day with Xander, and that he would stop by later today.
That was five hours ago.
Mom insisted, I rest. She also insisted I drink regular fluids and nibble crackers to