Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ainsley

Knowing that my father could've died scared me. My body still shakes. The amount of adrenaline running through my veins has my heart pumping faster than usual. I can't seem to calm myself.

What if the doctors are wrong?

"A panic attack, nothing out of the ordinary," they said.

If they had a dollar for every person who arrives at the ER with a panic attack thinking they had a heart attack, they'd be adding a new wing to the hospital.

They can say whatever they want. Those moments when he was unresponsive, I thought we had lost him. The feeling knocked me to my knees, and I couldn't find my strength. He has to stay overnight because of the concussion, though. He was out for several minutes after hitting his head.

After staying with him until eight o'clock at night, the nurse kicks us out. My brothers and I leave the room, promising that we'll be back tomorrow. None of us speak while we ride the elevator. When we step out, Matt bumps my hip. "He's only staying because he hit his head. Stop worrying, Ainsley. Stress isn't your friend."

I give him a sideways glance. How can he tell me not to worry? Distracted by Matt, I don't notice that Jacob stops without warning, and I slam into his back.

"Matt, Ainsley duty," he orders.

I peek around Jacob, who is literally blocking me. Flashes of light strobe at me, along with people screaming behind the glass door. They stare at us as if we were the latest zoo exhibit. Jacob takes off his hoodie and throws it to Matt, who covers me with it.

"What are you doing?" I growl.

"Making sure no one sees your pretty face," my brother answers.

He puts his arm around me and pushes me lightly, so I'll start walking.

"We're heading to the car. Do not pay attention to anything they say," he instructs. "Stay close to me."

We head outside, and I hear so many voices, questions, and things that don't make any sense. The commotion scares me, but I don't feel threatened. I'm sandwiched between my brothers as people rush toward us.

"Is it true that Gabe Colt died?" I hear a female voice close to my ear, and I tense.

"Is it true he has a terminal illness?" someone else questions.

"He's fine, don't listen," Jacob reminds me. "Now duck, we're almost inside the car."

I duck inside and sit down immediately. They order me not to remove the hoodie. Honking sounds continue, and the car barely moves. Once we're moving faster, I uncover my head.

"Not yet," Matt commands.

"It's hot," I complain, putting the hoodie back on.

"Look, Ainsley, we need to lose them before we head home. Everyone knows the two of us. They know that Gabe is a family friend, but no one knows you. We don't want some gossip site making up shit about you. Guessing if you're dating one of us or… you know these bloodsuckers just like to make up stories. I don't want you in the middle of this storm."

"Thank you," I whisper.

We drive along the coast in silence.

This isn't what I planned on doing today. Actually, I didn't have a plan. I comb through the events of the day. There's a choking silence surrounding us. I'm about to ask them to turn on the music when a phone rings. I check mine, but it's dead. When I get home… I'm not going home. I'm staying at my father's house. This wasn't the way my Saturday was supposed to be.

"Is your phone dead?" Matt's loud voice makes my body jolt.

I nod.

Matt hands me his phone. "It's for you."

I frown. "Hello?"

"Nine, we've talked about charging your phone. And where's the emergency battery I sent you a couple of months ago?" Mason is on the other line, and my lips draw a slight smile.

"Duh, at home."

"Everything okay with your dad?"

"Yeah, he was being… Gabriel," I say dismissively, ignoring the hollow feeling the experience left inside my chest. "He was due for a dose of drama."

"Do you need me there?"

Yes? I wish he were here, but I know he's busy.

"No, Mase, no worries. Dad's fine, he's leaving the hospital tomorrow, and we're… ironing out a few family things," I say vaguely because with my parents you never know what our extended family or friends are allowed to know. "What game are you playing tonight? A Pokémon tournament?"

"Ha, as if, let's call it Call of Duty—live," his husky voice caresses my ears. "You know the drill. Call me if you need me. If I don't answer, I'll contact you when I can."

"Thank you, Mase. Hope you win the game."

"I have to if I want to see you again."

The line goes dead, and I wonder what that meant. He's insane.

Matt hands me the emergency battery charger he carries, and I plug in my phone. I find a few missed calls and a couple of texts when it comes to life.

Porter: I went home to find you, and you weren't there.

Porter: Is your father okay?

Porter: Ainsley, please respond. I'm worried.

Porter: Why aren't you living in the house?

Porter's texts confuse me.

He knows I left the house years ago. Unless he's too high to remember. What was I thinking when I lied to my parents and chose to date him?

I let him dictate my life.