That’s why he needed the buildings sold immediately, why he’d been willing to bribe a senator, why he was desperate.
My father wasn’t just broke. His life was in danger.
Which meant so was mine, and so was everyone’s I cared about.
Fuck.
54
EVA
Dad
Stay with your hockey boys tonight.
Don’t come home.
“I have to go,”I rasped to Elijah, the student equipment manager.
He looked at me oddly. We were supposed to stay until the players left so we could tend wounds and help them stretch.
“Would you let Dr. Parker and Coach know, please? It’s an emergency.”
His gaze slid to the ice, where Tristan was flying toward a goal, and then back to me.
Tristan shot and scored, and the stadium went wild.
“Please.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked. “Do you need a hug?”
I laughed sadly, although the sound was watery with the tears I held back. “I gotta go.”
I stared at my rideshare app, thumb hovering over thecheapest option. Even that would strain my empty bank account. After a moment’s hesitation, I selected Cole’s premium card and called the fastest option—a black car with a professional driver.
I tried to call my father. His phone rang and rang and rang with no answer. My texts went unread.
Me
Something’s wrong with my dad. I’m going home.
Alek
Wait for me. I’ll meet you at the stadium.
Me
Already in the car.
Cole
Dammit, Eva. I’m right behind you.
My artificial valveclicked sharply in my chest during the ride home, each beat a reminder of my weakness as I panicked. The doctor’s warnings echoed in my head.Keep your heart rate down. Avoid stress. Take your medication regularly.Because I’d beensosuccessful doing that so far.
When I got home, the door was open, the handle dangling.
No. No no no no no no.