Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“Anna English?” the doctor asked.
“That’s me,” I said, rushing forward with relief.
“Your sister has just finished surgery. We were able to repair the damage to her femoral artery, but she lost a lot of blood. We had to give her a transfusion. She’s currently stable.”
“Oh, thank god,” I gasped out. My legs buckled underneath me, and I fought to stay upright.
“Her friend is still in surgery though,” he said softly.
“Her friend,” I said stupidly, not comprehending. Then, it hit me. “Bea?”
“Yes. Taylor was wheeled in with Beatrice Reynolds. We’ve reached out to her family, but we’ve had no luck so far. If you know how to reach them, it would be really helpful.”
I blinked. “I don’t. They’re college friends. We’re in LA. I think Bea… uh, Beatrice is from Boston.”
“Okay,” he said with a sigh. “Well, I thought we’d ask.”
“Is Bea going to be okay?”
The doctor frowned. There was a no on his face. Written all over his expression. A terrifying look that said everything he didn’t. “She’s still in surgery. We’ll know more in the next couple of hours.”
I nodded mutely, terrified. It could have been Taylor. The words ran like a mantra through my mind.
“Can I see my sister now?”
“Yes. She’s resting, but you can go in to be with her.”
“Thank you so much,” I said, choking on the words.
A nurse came and brought Court and me to Taylor’s room. I stepped inside first to find my beautiful little sister hooked up to an IV. She was dressed in a nightgown and looked as pale as death. The covers were pulled up to her chest, but it couldn’t disguise the state of her left leg. It looked huge and bulbous under the covers, as if it had been wrapped around and around and around until it looked like the game Hot Potato and I was meant to unwrap it to find candy.
My feet carried me farther into the room. I sank into the seat next to Taylor and gently took her hand into mine. I didn’t know what to do or what to say or how long she’d be asleep.
Court stood nearby, just inside the room, as if he didn’t know whether to be in or out. As if he were guarding the door. But I didn’t care. I didn’t want to think about him, not now. I just wanted to be here with Taylor.
* * *
It wasn’t until an hour later when Lark first appeared that I realized Court must have made some calls. She rushed into the room. Her red hair was curly and frazzled. Her eyes were smudged with purple half-moons under them, and she looked worried.
“English,” she said, coming to my side and pulling me into a hug. “Oh my goodness, I don’t even know what to say. How is she doing? How are you doing? Has she woken up?”
I shook my head. “No, she’s still asleep. The nurses say that she’s sedated for the pain. They don’t think she’ll be up for a couple hours. Her friend just went into another surgery. I don’t know what’s happening with her.”
Lark squeezed me tighter. “It’s okay. You don’t have to know everything.” Then, she drew back. “I brought you clothes. Court said you were still in your Halloween costume.”
I glanced down at myself. The red lingerie and Court’s oversize ’60s suit coat. I hadn’t even realized.
“Thank you,” I said, taking the clothes.
I entered the small bathroom and changed out of the costume and heels. Lark had brought me a pair of yoga pants, a black T-shirt, and a sweatshirt along with socks and sneakers. I realized half-consciously that this was all stuff I’d left at Court’s. I’d never given anyone a key to my new place. It felt like an oversight now.
“Feel more human?” Lark asked when I stepped out of the bathroom.
“Sure,” I said with a shrug.
“Do you want to talk? I didn’t know if…”
“No,” I said quickly. “Not really.”
“Court seems… upset.”
“You saw the pictures.”
Lark nodded. “I did.”
“I don’t want to talk about it. I just… I just want him to go. Can you tell him to go?”
Lark bit her lip. “If that’s what you want. But I think you should talk to him.”
“No. I already talked to him. I just want to be here for my sister.”
“I don’t know if he’s going to leave you here alone.”
“Please,” I whispered. “Please, Lark. I can’t do it tonight.” I helplessly stared down at Taylor. “She was shot. Her friend might not make it through the night. I can’t deal with Court Kensington, too.”
“Okay,” Lark said softly, rubbing my back. “It’s okay. I can ask Court to leave. Or at least to stay out of your way.”
“Thank you.” I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Of course.”
Lark disappeared then, leaving me alone with Taylor once more. I couldn’t hear what she said to Court. I didn’t want to know. I just wanted to be alone.