64. Lorelei

64

LORELEI

" Y ou've what?" Tatum barks down the line as I run through LAX with my suitcase bouncing around behind me.

I've been on a flight for just over four hours, and other than the messages I received when I put my cell on when we landed to let me know that Wilder is in the ER but stable, I have no idea what the hell is happening.

"I've just landed in LA."

"The hell, Lor?"

"Wilder had a bad tackle at the game. He just…he was just lying there, Tate. I thought he was dead," I cry as I dodge an older couple in my quest to get out of the fucking airport.

Noelle is waiting for me on the other side with my car. Hendrix is in the hospital with a concussed Wilder.

He's okay. He's okay. He's okay, I repeat over and over.

But it doesn't matter how many times I say it, I won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes.

"Shit. Is he okay?"

"Concussion, apparently. I'm going straight to the hospital now."

"Do you need anything?"

I shake my head, forgetting that she can't see me.

"Lori?"

"No, I'm okay. Everything is okay." I hope.

"Good. That's good."

"What?" I snap, knowing her well enough to know that she's holding back.

"It's just…Kian is freaking out."

Shit.

My stomach knots.

I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about him.

I was stuck on an airplane for four hours. While Wilder's condition might have been something of a distraction, Kian was never far from my thoughts.

No matter how hard I try, he's always freaking there.

"Why?" I ask, trying to sound unconcerned.

"Lorelei," Tate warns as I finally emerge through the doors to the arrivals and find Noelle waiting for me.

It's the middle of the night, and she looks exhausted. But she looks just as concerned as I feel.

She is by far the best thing that's ever happened to my little brother.

I just wish the two of them could realize how perfect they are for each other.

"Hi," I mouth as I step up to her before releasing my suitcase and pulling her in for a hug.

She holds me tighter than I was expecting.

"Lorelei?" Tate repeats after a few seconds.

"Sorry, I just got to Noelle. I should go."

"You're smarter than to avoid him," she warns ominously down the line.

"Things are complicated, Tate," I attempt to explain as Noelle leads the way toward the exit.

"When aren't they? You just walked out on him."

"So he told you then," I mutter, unsure if I'm relieved that I don't have to do the talking or pissed off he's spilled our secrets to my best friend. It's not that I wouldn't tell her, of course I would. I just…I want to decide where and when that conversation happens.

"Well, not really. He went to your place and couldn't get an answer. He then turned up here to get me to contact you."

"Fuck. How long ago was this?"

"Hour or so. I sent him home to think about what he's done and to give you some space."

"Fuck," I breathe as I drop into the passenger seat of my own car to allow Noelle to drive us to the hospital.

"What's really going on here, Lori?"

"Not now," I say, feeling exhausted now that I'm here and the adrenaline is ebbing away. "Just…please don't tell him where I am," I beg.

"You want me to lie for you?" she asks.

"Yes. I can't deal with him as well as this. Just…please."

"Babe, you know I'll do it without question. I'm just making sure that that's what you really want."

"It is. I'll deal with him when I get back."

"And what should I say in the meantime? I've never seen him anything but calm and collected. But earlier…well. Whatever happened, you fucking rocked him, Lor."

I close my eyes for a beat, and immediately, his face as he stared down at me only a few hours ago and told me all the things I could only dream of, comes back to me.

My stomach knots and my chest aches all over again.

"Tell him you don't know. Tell him that you won't tell him. I don't care, Tate. Just…don't tell him the truth. If he comes here…" I trail off as panic sets in. "He can't come here."

"Okay, okay," she soothes. "He won't."

"Thank you."

"Just…call me tomorrow, yeah? I need to know more about what's going on here."

"Yeah," I agree, sinking lower in the seat as Noelle pulls out of the airport and hits the highway.

It's about a thirty-minute drive to the hospital they've taken Wilder to, and then another thirty to the town I'd happily never visit again.

"I'll call you tomorrow."

"Love you, Lor. I've got your back. Always."

"Me too."

I cut the call and lower my cell to my lap as the weight of the world presses down on my shoulders.

"Rix called while I was waiting for you. Wilder is awake and responsive."

A huge puff of air rushes past my lips as relief floods through my body.

"Fuck," I breathe.

Noelle reaches over and takes my hand. Tears immediately burn my eyes at her thoughtfulness.

"He's going to be okay, Lori."

"Thank you," I force out. "For being there for them."

She glances over and smiles.

She'll never know how grateful I am for her presence in their lives. I know she's the same age as them, but she's such a good influence on them.

Sure, she's Hendrix's friend really, but she cares for Wilder too, in her own way.

"Anytime," she whispers.

"So, how's school?" I ask, knowing that it's the easiest subject to talk to her about.

Just like us, Noelle's home life is…hard.

She chats away, telling me about classes and what it's like to finally be a senior.

Just like Wilder and Hendrix, Noelle really wants to leave this place and go to college.

She's hoping to get a scholarship, but she's also realistic.

Not many kids from towns like ours are lucky and get out.

I wish there was more I could do. I'd give the three of them the world if I had it.

But as it is, I struggle to look after the three of us. Sure, my new job helps massively, but with two boys in college, my extra funds aren't going to last long.

It'll be worth it, though. Anything that gives them the chance of a better life is worth it.

Before I know it, she's pulling into the hospital parking lot. I jump out the second she comes to a stop and take off toward the main entrance with her hot on my tail.

"Third floor," she says as I slow to a stop in front of the elevators.

The second a set of doors parts, I race inside. There's no time for hesitation when my brothers need me.

She directs me to the ward they've moved Wilder to, and after being welcomed by a nurse at the desk, I rush into his room.

"Lori," Hendrix cries, jumping to his feet and wrapping me in his arms.

Emotion crawls up my throat and my eyes sting once more.

He's grown again, and his embrace is stronger than ever.

I miss these boys every single day, but I don't realize just how much until we're together again.

His hug is only brief before he guides me to Wilder's bedside.

He looks rough. His skin is gray, his eyes dark, and he's got a nasty bruise on his jaw.

"Hey, Wild Child," I say, forcing a smile onto my face as I reach for his hand and squeeze.

I hate that he can see how worried I am. I wish I could hide it, but it's impossible.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I got flattened by a three-hundred-pound linebacker," he deadpans.

"Bro, he was not three hundred pounds," Hendrix argues.

"How the fuck would you know? He wasn't on top of you."

"Too right he wasn't. That's not how I roll."

"Jesus," I mutter, glancing back at Noelle, who's standing just inside the room as if she's not sure if she's welcome or not. "Glad to see everything is normal here. What has the doctor said?" I ask.

"Nothing," Hendrix confesses. "They want to speak to you. Apparently, I'm not grown up enough to be Wild's guardian."

I look between the two of them with a question dancing on the tip of my tongue.

"We haven't even called her," Hendrix confesses, able to read my mind. "We told the doctor you were coming and that you'd deal with everything."

I nod. "I've got you," I say, squeezing Hendrix's shoulder.

"We know," he states proudly.

"You didn't need to drop everything and come, though," Wilder argues.

"It's okay, I think she was glad of the excuse," Noelle says helpfully.

"Oh yeah?" Hendrix asks.

"It's nothing," I argue.

"Didn't sound like nothing," Noelle teases. "Sounded interesting."

"Have you met someone?" Wilder asks with hope in his eyes.

I don't make a habit of sharing details of my love life with my little brothers.

Sure, they're old enough now, but I still don't see the point of telling them anything until I've found someone I'm willing to introduce them to.

"No," I sigh, shooting Noelle a glare. Not that she cares.

"I'm missing a killer party for this," Wilder complains after a few minutes of me holding my tongue.

I didn't want to talk to Tate about it, so I'm certainly not telling my seventeen-year-old brothers that my boss screwed my brains out on his desk not so long ago.

"I'm sure you can cope," Hendrix deadpans.

"The cheerleader I had lined up won't," Wilder mutters.

"Oh, how my heart bleeds."

If looks could kill, Hendrix would be six feet under right now.

Thankfully, a doctor interrupts their argument before it can really get started.

He gives me a rundown of Wilder's concussion and gets me to sign some paperwork before letting us know that as long as his vital signs are okay over the next hour or so, we'll be able to take him home.

Home…

Quite honestly, I think I'd rather spend the night here.

" Y ou okay?" I ask as Hendrix and I help Wilder into the trailer.

I didn't think it was possible, but the place looks worse than the last time I was here.

How it's still standing is a miracle in itself.

"Yes," he groans. "I am still capable of walking, you know."

"The doctor said you could get dizzy spells. We're just?—"

"Being overprotective."

"Don't blame us. There was a moment we thought you were dead, man," Hendrix snaps, his concern for his twin brother coming through so strong that Wilder doesn't say another word until we lower him to his bed.

"Thank you," he says quietly. "I really do appreciate it."

He looks at Hendrix first, then at me.

"We'd do anything for you, and you know it."

He smiles before looking between us at Noelle, who's once again loitering in this family moment.

"I'd do the same for you."

"But thankfully, we're not stupid enough to risk our lives every Friday night," Hendrix muses.

"It's not my fault that you're not as cool as me."

"Matter of opinion," Hendrix says before turning toward me. "Are we really not allowed to let him sleep?"

"Nope. Not for a few hours yet."

"I'm hungry," Wilder complains.

"He must be feeling better," I point out with a smirk. "What do you all want? I'll order takeout. What?" I ask when they all just stare at me.

"No one will deliver at this time," Noelle explains, reminding me that I'm no longer in Chicago.

"Shit. Do you have anything in?" I ask, but I already know the answer.

Fuck's sake.

I hate this. I really fucking hate this.

Only a few more months and they can all get out of this shithole and start over somewhere better.

"I can go to the store," Noelle offers.

Before Hendrix or I get a chance to respond, Wilder begins rattling off a shopping list.

He really must be feeling better.

After forcing Noelle to take my credit card to pay for it all, I get settled on Hendrix's bed so that we can keep Wilder awake.

I suck in a breath and look at the two of them.

"I love you both," I say honestly, "and I'm so fucking proud of you."