loitering against their cars, the flashing lights temporarily blinding me.
Whatever. I’ll risk the fucking ticket.
I push through the revolving door, waiting for it to creep around to the building entrance and I dart toward the nurses’ station as soon as my feet hit the shiny beige tile.
“Charlotte Hawthorne,” I say, my voice breathless. “Is she here? Is she okay?”
One of the nurses walks over holding a clipboard. “Who are you?”
“Her brother,” I croak without thinking twice.
She narrows her eyes, examining me from head to toe. “Come with me,” she finally says. I guess she decided not to challenge the bullshit I just spouted, and in the next second, we’re walking through the big red door.
“Are her…um, my parents here yet?” I ask.
That could be a problem.
But I shouldn’t have worried.
“There was a man here when the ambulance showed up. Said he was an uncle but then disappeared. I never got a name. And your parents have been contacted, but so far neither has called back.” She quirks a brow. “I don’t suppose you’ve been in touch with them?”
“Uh, I tried but same thing. No answer.”
Typical of those asshole Hawthornes to be missing in action when their only kid gets t-boned by a fucking SUV.
Wait…
“Did you say uncle?” I ask, running to keep up with her pace as we walk toward Charlotte’s room.
“Yes. He didn’t leave a name or number though. He just asked if anyone else had come in with her. When I said no, he disappeared.”
“Did he have a scar on his face?” I spit out quickly, my blood running cold as the nurse nods.
“Yeah, a pretty big one.”
Sucking in a sharp breath, I try my best to keep my composure in front of her. “And what about the other guy who was with her in the car? Blaine Montrose?”
“I can’t give you any information on Blaine.” She smirks. “Unless of course, you’re his brother, too.”
“No,” I grumble, raking a hand through my hair. Rossi was here. Fuck! He might still be. Jesus, did he use Charlotte to bait me into showing up here? He could have fucking killed her!
The nurse finally slows, pushing open a door. “She’s sleeping now. The doctor gave her morphine for the pain.” After a quick glance at the chart, she looks up at me. “Charlotte is a lucky girl. She got pretty banged up, but no real damage was done. Lacerations on her face, side, and leg, and her spine was knocked out of alignment upon impact. Other than being sore for a few days, she can expect a full recovery.”
I let out a relieved sigh. “Thank God.”
She nods, a hint of a smile on her lips. “Take care of your sister.”
“I will,” I stammer out.
But can I?
I walk into the room, letting the door close behind me. The scent of antiseptic assaults my nostrils as I edge closer to the bed. I drop my hand into her cold one and bring it to my lips.
“I’m so sorry, Char. I’m so sorry I let this happen to you. I never meant to hurt you. This is exactly what I was afraid of, why I left you last night. I don’t know what I’d fucking do if I lost you again,” I mumble, sinking into a chair next to the bed. I fist my hair, rage bubbling in my veins.
Where the fuck are her parents? How could they disregard her again? How can they not see how incredible she is and how lucky they are to have her?
A shudder runs through me when I remember getting the call about Andrew’s accident, how both of their parents sat and kept a vigil by his bedside until he passed.
That exact same scene could have been replayed today if circumstances were different, and they couldn’t give a shit less.
It actually makes me a little relieved that she’s drugged up right now. Knowing her parents couldn’t be bothered to show up would hurt a fuck ton worse than the bangs and bruises ever could.
They don’t deserve her.
Then again, neither do I, not if I can put her in harm’s way like this.
I’m inside out for this girl, and ever since she came back into my life, my whole world has tilted on its axis. I thought I knew what I wanted, where I’m headed, who I need by my side.
My life was planned out, for better or worse.
When her parents sent her away to London, she took a part of me with her, along with the hope for