“Dev, it’s four am. We’re leaving at daybreak. The first sliver of light, we’re on the road. That gives you a few hours. Do you want me to pack for you?”
I nod again in silence, unable to speak.
She leaves, and I hear her on the phone.
Suddenly, images and memories of my brother fill my head. So strong, so smart, so kind and loving. My mind then goes into overdrive.
Someone needs to call Jamie.
Bryce is no doubt a wreck.
My mother is freaking out.
Dad is probably barely holding it together.
I find my phone on Quinn’s nightstand and dial home. The minute my mom’s tear-strained voice comes on the line, I lose it.
“Mama,” I rasp.
“Oh baby, oh baby, oh baby,” she cries.
There’s a rustling, and my dad comes on and clears his throat. “Dev, baby?”
“Yeah, Daddy. I’m okay. Are you okay?”
“Oh, Devon.” His own voice cracks, and I hear his shallow breathing.
My heart hurts at his pain, and I want to hug him so badly that I wrap my arms around my knees. “Daddy, Nate is strong. He’s going to be okay.”
T
here’s another shuffling, and my dad inhales deeply. “Baby, we just got the call. It wasn’t Nate who was hurt. It was a mistake.”
Relief washes over me, and I whimper. “Thank God.”
His silence turns my blood cold. “Daddy?”
“Devon, it was Bryce in the explosion…”
There’s an ear-piercing, heart-wrenching scream that shakes me to my absolute core. I realize it is me when Quinn rushes in with fear all over her face. That’s the last vision I have.
*****
Jerk, smooth, jerk, smooth…
I open my eyes and focus on the patch of unfamiliar grey leather. There’s a warm blanket over me, and when I look down, I’m in my favorite black sweat suit. My body protests when I turn and hit the back of a seat, and I finally start to have clarity.
I’m in a moving vehicle. Soft voices flow through the car, and I recognize Quinn’s worried tone. Slowly, I sit up and shake my head a few times when I find myself in the back of an SUV with Quinn sitting in the middle seat.
Her head turns toward me, and I immediately remember everything.
Bryce was in an accident.
Nate is okay.
There was a mistake…
“What’s going on?” I glance around and see Crystal watching me carefully. Then I notice Morgan driving. “Where are we?”