He had called to say the roads were bad, but insisted on coming in to see me, even though I wanted to cancel.
We had been busy since my parents left, and it had been three days since I saw him. Tonight, we were going to dinner and a movie, then I would go back to his place for the weekend.
I sighed as I looked around my apartment. It no longer felt like home, but rather a place I lived. Daniel’s place felt like home, because he was there. I planned to surprise him this weekend when he asked me to move in, as he always did, by saying yes. He certainly wanted it, and it didn’t matter in the end what anyone thought, or said. It was right for us and I wanted it. I wanted to be with him more.
I already knew what would happen when I told him. His warm, blue eyes would light up, and my favorite smile would appear. The one that made his eyes crinkle and the dimple in his chin stand out. It changed his face from one of handsome to devastatingly irresistible. I loved making him look like that. Then he would find the closest wall and thank me the way only Daniel had ever thanked me.
My phone rang, and I grabbed it, not surprised to see Caitlin’s number. She had been busy organizing that week’s brunch and her calls had been frequent to check details.
But when I answered, it was the anxiety in her voice that instantly made me nervous.
“Avery?”
“Caitlin? What is it? What happened?”
Her words made my blood run cold.
“There’s been an accident.”
My heart raced in my chest, and my breath came out in heavy pants as I gripped the phone. “Daniel?”
“You need to meet us at the hospital. Don’t drive—the roads are too bad. I already called a cab for you.”
“Is he all right?”
“His truck was totaled. I don’t know much about his injuries. Just get here, Avery. Town General.”
Tears made my voice thick. “I’m on my way.”
The cab was waiting when I exited my building, and despite the weather, I begged him to go as quick as he could. The fear in Caitlin’s voice had shaken me. The thought of Daniel hurt, or worse, made me panic. The entire ride I prayed and pleaded, begging God to let him survive. As long as he was alive, it was fine. We could handle it together. But a world without Daniel seemed too much to face. He had to be okay.
I raced through the doors of the emergency room, immediately finding Daniel’s family. His parents were standing together, his father holding tight to his mother. Caitlin was sitting, legs bouncing. Steven paced, holding Chloe, keeping her occupied. Caitlin saw me and stood, hurrying over, hugging me hard. I felt the tremors running through her body.
“How bad is he?”
“He’s unconscious. We don’t know the extent of his injuries. He’s still being assessed.”
“Where?”
She knew exactly what I was asking.
“His shortcut.”
I shut my eyes, trying to hold it together. He promised me he would be careful. He told me he wouldn’t speed on that road anymore.
“He was coming to me,” I breathed out.
She stood close, shaking my arms. “Don’t do that. You aren’t to blame for this accident. He’s used that road for years.”
I opened my eyes and met her gaze. Eyes so similar to Daniel’s stared back at me. There was no blame or anger in them. Only fear and anxiety.
“He’s going to be okay,” she assured me.
Inside, I was screaming. He had to be okay. I needed him to be okay. All I could do was nod. “He’s tough.”
“He is. He’s Daniel.” A tear slid down her cheek as she gave me a small smile. “I’m winning the bet right now. I plan on collecting.”
“They only won the preseason, Caitlin.”