laugh…until it hits me.
Not only is he not stuttering anymore, that sounds exactly like something Cole would say.
I stare down at the logo on his t-shirt.
Liam doesn’t like sports, therefore he wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a Patriots t-shirt.
“You’re not Liam.”
Cole has the good grace to look sheepish. “You’re right.” He blows out a breath. “I’m not.”
I close my eyes against the surge of anger streaming through me. “Why the hell would you pretend to be—”
The door opens and the light flicks on.
“Everything okay?” Jace questions, his gaze ping-ponging between us.
Cole tries to speak, but I don’t give him the chance.
“No, it’s not.” I glare at Cole. “Cole tricked me into thinking he was Liam.”
Jace looks like it’s taking every ounce of his strength not to walk over and throttle him. “You did what?” Eyes narrowed, he takes a step closer. “Why the fuck would you do that?”
Muttering a curse, Cole pinches the bridge of his nose. “I was only trying to help—”
“Help? How the fuck is pretending to be Liam going to help her recover?” Jace roars. “I told you we needed to listen to the doctors.”
Well, shit. Jace seems mad enough for the both of us.
However, I don’t need him to fight this battle for me because while I don’t understand why he pretended to be his twin; it’s obvious Cole meant no harm.
I’m about to tell them both to calm down, but Cole grunts, “I know we’re supposed to listen to the doctors, but she was really upset earlier. I thought…I don’t know. I was just trying to give her a little normal before—”
“Before what?” I question, because it’s clear I’ve been left in the dark about something.
Or rather, someone.
“Where’s Liam?”
“Good job, asshole,” Jace mutters before he looks at me. “Everything is fine.”
“Don’t lie to me.” I look at Cole. “Why were you pretending to be Liam?”
Jace shoots him a murderous glare. “Hallway. Now.”
“No,” I snap. “So help me God one of you better tell me wh—”
Pain pulses through my temples. It’s so severe, it renders me breathless.
Something’s wrong.
Jace is saying something, but I don’t hear him.
I’m too scared.
I pound on the tray table. “Let me in!”
Past…
“What’s going on?” I scream, the fear nearly crippling me.
“Go downstairs and call 911!” Jace yells on the other side of Liam’s bedroom door.
I’m so scared I can barely breathe.
What happened to him?
Heart and stomach full of terror, I run down the staircase on unsteady legs and make a beeline for the phone in the kitchen.
My fingers shake so bad, I drop the phone before punching in the numbers.
“911, what’s your emergency?” some lady on the other line answers.
“I need—” My voice is so jittery I can barely speak.
I clear my throat and try again. “I need an ambulance for my brother.” Remembering the time Mom spent two whole days teaching me our address in case of an emergency, I quickly add, “We live at 101 Royal Manor Lane. Please come quick.”
“Got it. Can you tell me what happened, sweetie?”
Didn’t she hear me before?
“Something is wrong with my brother. He’s twelve.”
“Okay, honey. An ambulance is on the way. Do you know what happened so I can tell the EMTs?”
“I don’t know,” I scream. “No one will tell me. Please hurry.”
I quickly drop the phone and head back upstairs.
I need to see Liam.
I can make him better.
“The ambulance is on the way.” I pound on the door. “Let me in.”
I need to make sure he’s okay.
“Go downstairs,” Jace shouts.
“No.”
There’s no way I’d ever leave him, especially if he’s in pain.
It’s when he needs me the most.
“I want to see Liam.”
“Bianca, go downstairs,” Jace screams again, but his voice doesn’t sound right.
He’s crying.
My stomach falls and sheer panic zips up my spine.
Jace never cries.
“Liam!!” I yell, banging on the door harder. “Liam, come out here!”
I have to see him.
My heart squeezes like a vise and tears clog my vision. “I want to see Liam.”
Why won’t they let me see him?
I start kicking the door. “Liam!”
I’m here, Liam.
I’m right here.
Everything’s gonna be okay.
We’re in this together.
The doorknob turns and I don’t waste another second. I push it open with every ounce of strength I have.
Strength that leaves me in one big gust a second later.
This can’t be happening.
This isn’t real.
Five minutes ago, Jace was making him his favorite—pancakes.
And now…
I scream so loud my ears ring as I take in his stiff, blue-tinged body lying on the floor of his closet.
“Liam!” His name rips out of my vocal cords, burning my insides.
Answer me.
Wake up and