“Does he know?” Brinley adds.
I shrug.
I’d assume he knows by now. He should’ve gotten off work a couple hours ago, but I haven’t heard from him since I got here, and he hasn’t shown up. They call me first because I’m my mom’semergency contact, but usually, they’ll follow up with a call to him. My dad’s lucky he’s not here, though. If he was, I’d be the shit out of him.
He was supposed to be off today, but Mom said he went in anyway. If he was home, she would’ve gotten to the hospital earlier. If he had been home, she wouldn’t have died for eight minutes. Who knows what would've happened if Marjorie didn’t get there when she did. If Marjorie wasn’t working today, my dad might’ve found her on the bathroom floor when he got home, unresponsive.
He should’ve been home today. He should’ve spent more time with her. He should’ve cared more.
“Did you call him?” Declan questions. “I can give him a call if you want me to. Your mom probably wants to see him.”
“She’s used to him not being with her in the hospital. It’s nothing new. I should actually get back in there.” I sniffle. “Just in case she wakes up. I don’t want her in there alone.”
“Want me to come?” Avalon asks. “Can I come? I don’t know the rules.”
“Um, maybe later. Dr. Sanchez should be back soon to update me on her condition, so—” I don’t know how to finish that sentence. I guess it’s easier to find out information on her condition alone because if I break down, if I lose my shit, it won’t matter. Not that it should matter. Avalon has seen me get emotional over my mom a couple of times. However, none of those times were because my mom’s life was officially coming to an end.
“Okay.” Avalon forces a smile. “If you need me, I’ll be out here. We all will be.”
I squeeze her hand, a silentthank you. I may not have the words right now, I may not know how to feel about everything going on, but I do know one thing—
I’m fucking lucky I don’t have to go through it alone.
forty-nine
Avalon
Inever would’ve thought you were hooking up with Harris,” Jaxon says as we sit in the waiting room. I feel like the guys’ eyes have been on me since I got here, and I can’t read the emotion behind them.
“They’re not hooking up, you asshole.” Brinley rolls her eyes, “They’re dating.”
“Like you and Alex,” Tate mocks, and Brinley shoves her off the arm of the hospital chair.
I don’t know who Alex is. I haven’t met him tonight. But from the look on Jaxon’s face, he doesn’t seem to like him.
“I can’t believe my girlfriend knew about it and didn’t tell me,” Declan groans. “I thought our relationship was stronger than that.”
“In all fairness, our relationship kind of fell apart not long after I found out,” she argues. “And it wasn’t my secret to tell.”
“I just assumed he was spending more nights at the hospital with his mom,” Jeremy adds. “I never would’ve thought the reason he wasn’t home was because he was practically living with hisgirlfriend.”
“I feel like we should’ve known with how often he was sneaking out in the middle of the night,” Brooks says.
“How would you know you’re never home?” Fletcher sits back in his chair. “Should we start looking for two new roommates for next year? You and Zeke gonna live with your girlfriends full time?”
“Whoa,” I interrupt, “Zeke and I aren’t planning on moving in together any time soon.”
“You basically already have,” Tate says. “If what the guys say is true, Zeke spends most of his nights with you.”
“Yeah, but we still have our own spaces to go to when needed. I don’t think I’m ready to commit to living with Zeke 24/7.”
Ember laughs. “That’s fair. I lived with him for a few weeks, and it was a lot.”
“To be fair, you lived withsixhockey players, so I don’t know if it’s an accurate comparison. But I’m glad you—”
“How is he?” I look up to see a familiar face. I remember him from the Halloween party when I agreed to Zeke’s acquaintances with benefits terms.
“Marcus.” Jaxon stands. “Hey, man. He’s, well, being Zeke. He’s doing as well as he can, all things considered.”