Saint (Hot Shots 4)

There was no way I was going to let him come home to no groceries and with no way to eat said groceries. I’m just walking down the stairs, on the last step until I’m at the landing, when my ankle rolls. How this happens when I’m literally barefoot, I have no idea.

“Josey,” I let out, unable to catch my fall.

“Oh no, oh God, Auntie Em,” I hear Josey say right as my body gives out. The last thing I feel is the bashing of my head against the tread before it’s lights out.

Thirteen

Saint

I’m just loading up the last box. Cruz, Luna, and Sailor are here helping. Well, Cruz is helping. Luna and Sailor are sitting on the front porch step playing. The one sore spot on moving away is not seeing their boy as much as I would if I stayed, but that doesn’t mean we still won’t see each other, and I have a feeling once Emerson meets him, it won’t be long until she’s offering up babysitting services.

“It’s not gonna be the same with you gone, man. But I get it. That woman of mine, I’d move to outer space if that’s where she was,” Cruz tells me. He knew Luna was the one for him after one night. I think I’ve got him beat. Emerson was destined to be mine with one look. I guess there’s one thing that can be said about all of us friends—once we meet our match, we don’t stop at anything. With Fox and Melanie, all it took was a song. Cruz, it was one night in California. Jax, well, let’s just say he’s the dense one. It took him longer to go after Sloan, but he finally did. It looks like the last one in our group to fall is Ace. He’s probably more of a traveler than I ever was, looking for the next competition to enter in beach volleyball, surfing, or gambling. Those are his three vices.

“I was barely here as it was. Plus, once you meet Emerson, I’m sure we’ll all be around more often,” I tell him.

“I have no doubt about that.” We both meander to where Luna and Sailor are.

“Uncle!” His little arms reach up for me.

“Hey, kiddo, you be good for your mom and dad. Maybe they’ll bring you up, and we’ll go fishing,” I tell him. His head is already on my chest, something he does when he’s comfortable with you.

“I fish,” he pops up, a toothless grin shining at me.

“Yeah, buddy, we’ll go fishing,” I tell him before handing him back to Luna.

“Anytime you want us to come visit, we’ll be happy to come.” Luna gives me a one-armed hug.

“Let me get some more furniture, and you got yourself a deal.” We say our goodbyes, then I hop in my truck and head northbound. It’s time for me to start my life with Emerson, plus I’ve got a little something else up my sleeve when it comes to her.

I turn the radio on, drowning out the road noise, not wanting the quiet I once was so used to having. I’m fifteen minutes into my drive when my phone rings. I look at the radio, and it says, ‘Emerson Calling’. I press the phone button and say, “Hey, sweetheart.” What greets me on the other line isn’t Emerson though.

“Not her, it’s me, Josey, um... Auntie Em had an accident. I can’t get ahold of Nan or Pops, my dad is out on the boat fishing with Mack, and Mom is out of town. I didn’t know who else to call after I called 9-1-1.” My heart drops.

“You did the right thing calling me. Where are you right now?” I ask her.

“I’m sitting with Auntie Em’s head in my lap, waiting for the ambulance. I can hear the wailing in the distance. She fell. It was really bad, Saint, like, worse than she’s ever fallen before. Not even Nan has fallen this badly before.” I can hear her sucking back the tears.

“She’s going to be alright. You sit tight. When they get there, let them do their work, then you get in the ambulance with them. Keep Emerson’s phone on you and text me which hospital they’re taking her to. If you want to stay on the phone with me the entire time, you can do that too,” I offer, hating like hell I’m not the one there to see what the hell is going on.

“Okay, Auntie’s phone is always almost dying, so I may hang up and then text you. Please hurry, Saint. I’m scared.” I may not have met Josey yet, but the way she says that eats away at my gut.

“I’m coming, Josey, I promise.” My foot presses on the accelerator, and we keep talking until the paramedics make it inside the house. Only then do we hang up. The entire time I’m driving, I’m also praying. Nothing can happen to Emerson, not when we’ve just begun.