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All of which would never be invited to step into our home again save Wyatt, Garrett, and Haley. At least the three of them had welcomed Sky and acted…normal. Real. I’d never appreciated three people so much in my entire life.
Sky and I had collapsed on our bed, clutching at each other in silence. Both too worn out to discuss the events of the night, we’d agreed to rest and talk in the morning.
Bad enough we’d had a horrible evening…to have Nora show up on our front step uninvited, being judgmental and mean before I’d gotten out of bed…my hackles had raised, and the acid from anxiety and anger made for one unhappy stomach.
My disappointment in Rhett’s behavior still lay fresh in my mind while driving, my insides raw from what seemed like a million emotions. Too many to count, too many for peace of mind.
Exhaustion.
Sorrow.
Annoyance.
Anger.
The thought of having to confront Rhett with the truth tensed my body to the point of pain as I made my way downtown. He would be pissed. Heartbroken—at least I hoped he still cared after I’d told him to leave the night before.
Pain lanced through my abdomen.
“Shit.” I clutched the steering wheel tighter, swallowing rapidly.
My stomach turned upside down, and vomit spewed from my lips all over my lap and dashboard. I jerked the wheel to get off the road, the force of my heaving hazing my vision.
Tires squealed.
A massive crash of metal registered half a heartbeat before something smashed into my head and stole consciousness from my mind.
Someone hollered.
I could barely blink. Blinding…beams of sunshine.
Skylar—I tried to smile at the light filling my chest.
Darkness swooped down and dragged me under.
Muffled words whispered nearby. Searching hands prodded at my body.
Rhett…
Sirens sounded in the distance, coming to clarity in my ears as though I rose to the surface of a pool.
Pain lanced through my head, and I gasped, reaching—
“Shh.” Someone grasped my arm. “You’re alright. We’re on the way to the hospital.”
“H-happened?” I asked, the agony squeezing my brain unbearable. Couldn’t keep my eyes open. Too bright.
“You were in a car accident and hit your head.”
“Not dead,” I whispered, not even able to handle my own voice echoing inside my skull.
“You’re not dead,” someone agreed with a chuckle.
“H-hurts.”
A needle shoved into my arm, and I hissed at the sting.
“You’re going to be okay…”