Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

VIOLET

T ime has flown by. I launched more physical products for my business. I started the stitching club and have had two meetings thus far, which went fantastic. And my tutorial videos have been a hit.

Things with Zane have been good too. Smooth. We finally seem settled and in a really good place. His excitement for the baby is outrageous. I mean that in the best possible way. We’ve packed up Graham’s things and cleared his room out because Zane is eager to start on the nursery.

He’s already looking for someone to come in and paint it all fancy. He was right, too. We’re having a boy. I swear, every time he leaves the house, he somehow ends up at a store and buys something else for little Jon Thomas. He mentioned that name once and it stuck. I didn’t even realize it at first until sometime after we found out the sex and I was talking about the baby, but referred to him by name. Zane was even more tickled to realize we’re using the name he likes.

The door to the house opens and I glance over my shoulder to see my brother.

“Graham!” I squeal as I get up and run over to him, throwing my arms around him.

He looks so different. His hair is cut short and he seems leaner than when I last saw him. I caught the flu and missed his graduation. Graham hugs me back and I relax against him.

“You’re having a baby too?” he asks, looking at my belly when he releases me. We haven’t spoken at all since he’s been gone, so his surprise is to be expected.

“Yeah. A little boy. Congrats on your girl as well. How long are you home?”

“Not long enough,” he replies as we sit on the couch. “Things good with you and Zane?”

I nod. “We’re good. Still happy about enlisting?”

Graham nods. “Yeah, I am. Talk to me in four years, though,” he says with a laugh. But then he sighs. “Look, Vi, I’m sorry. I was a major ass. Getting away from here and dealing with the shitshow that was basic training, I had a lot of time on my hands to think. I was a bastard of a brother.

“You didn’t deserve how I treated you. I just hated that Grandma was gone and that I didn’t get to say goodbye. Then I started think about Mom and Dad and realized I didn’t really remember them. And it pissed me off, but I understand why you made the decision you did about Grandma. I still don’t like it, but I understand.”

I reach over to rest my hand over his. “Be glad you don’t remember the time with our parents, Graham. Life wasn’t great with them.” I take a deep breath and force myself to say, “They got out, asked me for money, and when I wouldn’t give it to them, they broke in and stole nearly everything.”

Graham looks around and realizes none of the furniture is the same. He curses under his breath.

“It’s fine. They are back in prison where they belong. All is fine between us. What do you plan to do while you’re home?”

He runs his hands over his thighs. “While I’m here, I’d like to get my phone and car and all that stuff moved into my own name. I’ll pay you back for the car.”

I wave my hand at him and cut him off. “It’s yours. Grandma left us some money; you don’t need to pay me back for anything. We’ll get it all sorted.”

He nods, satisfied. “Where’s Zane?”

“At the arena. He’ll be home later.”

Graham shares more about Carrie and what his life is about to look like. Since things have settled down with Zane, I’ve made sure to spend time with his girlfriend too. She seems to be a good fit for him. She knew more than I would’ve thought about Graham and his life with me. It actually sounds like she was about ready to read him the riot act herself if he didn’t straighten up and sort his shit.

I make arrangements with Graham to meet up later this week to do all that he wants with his things. I was hoping Zane would make it home before he left, but no such luck.

With Graham off to see Carrie, I curl up with my laptop and work on a new design. I won’t even lie. My designs have changed somewhat. They are more kid-friendly or focused. I have a ton of ideas of things I can stitch for Jon Thomas and my creativity has been overflowing.

Time flies as I work. Next thing I know, my stomach growls and there’s a stiffness in my neck. I stand and stretch, frowning when I catch sight of the time. Immediately, I sit back down on the couch, anxious. Where is Zane? He should have been home by now. Maybe he decided to stay at the arena?

My phone doesn’t show any missed calls or texts. No worries. I call to see if something came up and he just hasn’t had a chance to tell me or something. The phone rings and rings until reaching his voicemail.

My nerves heighten as I shoot off a text to him. Feeling extra paranoid, I’m about to text Sydney to see if she’s heard anything by chance. Dread fills my body when her name appears on the screen.

“Violet, has anyone called you?” she asks immediately.

“Called me about what?” I ask slowly. Carefully. My heart pounds in my chest. Something happened. Something bad. Do I even want to know? Am I really equipped to handle this?

“There was a car accident.”

Yeah, totally not equipped to handle this. I sway in my seat. Zane . Not my sweet Zane.

“Which hospital? Do you know?” I manage to ask. Faintly, I wonder if this is somehow my fault. Has my bad luck rubbed off on Zane because he’s in my life now?

Sydney gives me the answer I need and I grab my keys. I should have worried sooner. I should have figured out what was happening sooner. Sydney stays on the line while I drive to the hospital. Apparently, there was a massive multiple car accident. There’s been two reported fatalities. Liam Irving, the goalie for the Rebels, lost his ex-wife and daughter.

Sydney said she only heard that, that Zane was also involved, and that an impaired driver caused the whole thing. When I arrive at the hospital, I nearly sag in relief when I see Sydney standing at the doors, waiting for me. She didn’t mention she would meet me here. It’s not until my eyes land on her that I realize how much I need the support. At least until I can get a look at Zane.

She hugs me and then hooks her arm through mine. “Let’s find out how Zane is doing.”

Only we don’t get any answers right away. Sydney holds my hand and I zone out. What if Zane isn’t okay? Maybe that’s why we haven’t been told anything yet. What am I supposed to do? My free hand absentmindedly rubs my stomach. Zane has to be fine. There’s no way life would be so cruel to either of us.

Right?

I absolutely can’t do life without him. Not now that I know what it’s like to have him. I love Zane so much it kills me to think of being without him. That doesn’t even factor in our baby. We both need him.

He’ll be fine . I repeat that in my head over and over because I refuse to believe everything else.

“Mrs. Landry?”

I stand as my name is called. Part of me thinks I should be relieved, but not yet. At some point, Cassie showed up. We’re led to a room where Zane rests in a bed. There’s a cast on his arm and I listen as the doctor explains his injuries. A broken arm. Bruised ribs. Second degree burns on his lower legs because apparently his car caught fire and he didn’t get out in time.

I sit gingerly on the edge of the bed and Zane takes hold of my hand.

“I’m fine,” he says as soon as the doctor steps out. “Don’t worry.”

“People died,” I whisper.

Zane’s eyes widen. “What?”

“Liam’s ex-wife and daughter were in one of the other vehicles. It sounds like they got the brunt of the impact,” Sydney says.

“Jesus,” Zane breathes, but his gaze quickly returns to mine. He squeezes my hand, but doesn’t release the pressure. “I’ll heal, babe. You doing okay?”

I lean forward and throw my arms around his neck. He grunts, but hugs me back with his one good arm. I know I’m probably causing him pain, but I need this moment. The reassurance of his body next to mine. Of his chest brushing mine with his every breath. Of his head against mine.

Zane’s lips press against my forehead. “I’m fine. Nothing a little bit of time won’t fix,” he tells me softly. “You okay?” he repeats.

I nod and release him, though I can’t make myself let go of his hand.

“Sit, babe.”

I shake my head. I don’t want to be that far away from him.

“Violet, you’re pale and you’re my pregnant wife. Sit down.”

Cassie, the traitor, scoots the chair over as close as possible and I plop down. Cassie then steps out to get me something to eat.

He’s okay. Thank god, he’s okay.

“I love you,” I tell him.

Zane smiles that boyish grin and says, “I love you too, babe.” And for the first time since Sydney called me, my chest loosens and I can breathe easily again.