Jameson clears his throat. “There was a fire, and we went in to clear the building.” He pauses, pulling up a seat next to me. “He saw a bike and ran in believing there was someone inside.”
“Was there?” I gasp.
Jameson swallows roughly. “Yes, it was your brother, Lily.”
“What?” I screech. “What the fuck was Ethan doing in a fire? Is he okay? Where is he? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We don’t know what he was doing there. I told your mom but had to inform you about Parker.”
“Where is he? Is he okay?” I ask again because I don’t like the lack of information I’m getting from this man. Even if he’s my best friend’s husband, he’s irritating me with how calm he’s being. “How the fuck are you being so calm anyway? Parker is your friend!”
“He is,” Jameson agrees, and now I can hear the pain in his voice. “I have to be calm, Lily. It’s a part of my job. We have to keep a level head.”
I clench my jaw because he still hasn’t answered me about Ethan.
“Ethan is okay. Has some smoke inhalation damage and a few cuts and bruises. He’s resting, but Parker saved his life.”
I look back at the man lying in the hospital bed currently fighting for his own, knowing he saved my brothers. This perfect selfless man. My throat clogs with a sob that I have no choice but to let out. Holding onto Parker’s hand, I drop my head back down and cry against him.
I want to scream at the sky, or whatever being there may be out there to ask why this had to happen. That it’s not fair and that he has to live. He has to, not just for me, but forus.
“I’ll give you a minute if you want,” Jameson says, resting his hand on my shoulder. I continue to cry, unable to even lift my head. “When you’re ready, if you want to go see Ethan, I can take you to him.”
I nod, unable to do anything more than that. I hear the door shut after he leaves, and I completely lose it. I can hardly breathe through the tears. I finally lift my head to look at him; he hasn’t moved, the only sound in the room is the beeping of the machines and the faint noise from the other side of the door.
“Come back to me,” I plead. “Come back to us.”
He doesn’t react and I hate this. I need to see his eyes, hear his voice, see his smile. I just need a sign to know he’s going to be okay. “I need you, Parker. We’re going to have a baby, and I can’t do this alone.”
I manage to stand up on shaky legs to take his hand and press it to my stomach. He’s still warm and if I close my eyes I can almost pretend like everything is normal. Just for a second. I hold his hand that’s so large it almost expands the entirety of my stomach, but I have to hold it flat against myself.
“You’re going to make the best dad, I just know it.”
Reality slams into me when he doesn’t respond and I know he’s not going to. I collapse back into the chair as the tears take over once again. I’m not sure if I’m actually speaking or just thinking two words, but I keep repeating them,come back.
CHAPTER 46
Lily
I don’t knowhow long it was until I pulled myself together enough to call Parker’s mom, Jackie. I couldn’t even get the words out; I just told her to come to the hospital. I have no idea why Jameson said I’m Parker’s emergency contact, or how long that’s been the case because it should be his mom.
As soon as she gets here, we cry into each other’s arms. I let her have some time while I go see Ethan. I spoke to my mom and she said he was awake. Even though it pains me to leave Parker’s side because I don’t want to risk missing any changes he may have, I need to go see my brother.
Ethan’s room isn’t far from Parker’s. I’m amazed I remembered the instructions Jameson gave to me before he took Sutton home.
I knock on the door before pushing it open. My mom looks up, tears in her eyes as she greets me. We come together in a hug that has my own dam breaking and more tears flowing down my cheeks. My dad is sitting next to Ethan in a chair by his bed, and I see them talking.
Seeing Ethan look okay has some of the weight lifting off my chest.
“How is he?” I whisper to my mom.
“He’s doing well. All thanks to Parker.” Her voice cracks trying to say his name.
“Mom, I can’t lose him,” I cry softly.
She pulls me in for another hug. “I know, honey. You won’t. He’s got this.”
I nod against her shoulder. I want to tell her that I’m pregnant, I need my mom right now, but I can’t like this. It’s not about me, there will be time and right now I need to talk to my brother.