“Sure. Mason is supposed to come over and take me to dinner tonight.”
“Oh, really?”
Hailey and Mason’s relationship was rocky right now. Something was going on, but they both refused to talk about it. Any time I mentioned anything about it, they told me it was really nothing for me to worry myself. I tried talking to Hunter about it, but he just told me everything would be ok between them. He explained they weren’t really fighting themselves. They were fighting about something else that was going on.
“I really wish you would tell me what is going on, Hails. I hate seeing you guys like this.”
“You don’t need the added stress. Everyone is taking care of everything. Stop worrying that pretty little head of yours.”
“I’m not made of glass. Now tell me what the hell is going on.”
She huffed. “I just can’t. Now stop worrying and go get ready.”
“Fine, but this isn’t over. I’ll call you when I’m on my way.”
“Ok, love you and little man.”
“Or Princess. And, I love you too.”
A crack of thunder shook the house and I jumped. The baby kicked like a fiend. I rubbed my belly.
“Oh boy, chunky monkey, it’s raining. We better hurry up and get out of here so we aren’t late.”
It was pouring outside, and even with the umbrella, I was still getting wet. A car parked near our drive, its engine running. It backed up as I pulled out. Strange, but the rain was more of a priority.
The rain poured even harder as I merged onto the highway. It was making it very hard to see, even with the wipers on full speed. I looked in my rearview mirror and noticed the same car was following me and a little too close for comfort in the storm. I figured I only needed to go up two exits. I took it nice and slow.
About a half mile before my exit, the car ahead of me hydroplaned. The driver panicked and swerved into the next lane, colliding with another car. I slammed on my brakes, but the car behind me didn’t stop in time. My car skidded off the highway and down an embankment.
I screamed and braced for a collision. I flipped upside down three times before I finally felt the car stop. Everything was fuzzy, I couldn’t see straight. My body numbed.
I don’t know how long I laid there before someone approached. I tried to yell for help, but nothing came out. Their shadow darkened the passenger door.
The girl shouted over the rain.
“If I can’t have him, neither can you, bitch.”
A razor sharp stab of pain pierced my stomach. My vision seared white, and then I saw nothing after that.
When I woke, my whole body hurt. Something was pulling me from my sleep. My eyes wouldn’t open, each breath caught and something was in my throat gagging me.
I remembered driving. Crashing. Flipping. Someone at my car.
Something warm touched my face. I wanted to wipe it away, but my arms were too heavy. A low humming filled the room. Hunter was there. With me.
Wherever here was.
“Sweetheart, why don’t you go home for a few hours?”
It was my mom.
“I’ll stay here with MacKenzie and the baby. They both need you to be strong for them.”
Baby?
A violent stab of pain swirled in my head. I fought against the darkness.
“I’m not leaving them, I can’t.”
I heard the little whimpers of a cry, and then he went back to humming.
What the hell? Someone took my hand. I tried to squeeze but didn’t have the strength.
“Oh, baby girl,” mom said, rubbing circles on the back on my hand with her thumb. “You have to wake up. Your boys need you.”
My boys? My brothers? Hunter? Another memory. I was on my way to meet Hunter. Why was I meeting him?
The pain increased. I couldn’t fight the darkness.
The sound in the room faded into the constant beeping.
“Baby girl, if you can hear me squeeze my hand,” mom said.
Beep
I tried to squeeze.
Beep
Fingers brushed my face. “CC, please open your eyes for me, baby.”
Beep
“I need you; I can’t do this on my own.” I heard him sniffle. “He looks just like you. Same little nose, head full of dark curly hair.” He sniffled again. “I love you, baby.”
Then there was a long beep and the blackness finally took over.
To be continued in Easy To Love You.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO BONUS SCENE
Cooper, Jaylinn, Chloe, Jackson, and Alex were at MacKenzie’s parents’ house when we got back, but Mason was