Page 119 of Somehow You Knew

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When I enter the waiting room, my entire family rises to their feet, waiting anxiously for me to tell them what I learned. But hell, I’ve barely come to grips with it.

Instead, my eyes zero in on my oldest brother and I rush over to where he’s standing. “You knew?”

“Hazel—” Dallas starts, but I cut him off, shoving his chest even though he doesn’t budge.

“No! You knew there was something wrong with him and you didn’t tell me!”

“I was trying tolethim tell you,” Dallas fires back, his voice booming in the small room.

Mymother comes over and holds me to her chest. “Lower your voices, both of you. I’ve had enough drama in this family for one day.”

“How could you keep this from me?” My body shakes as I cry.

“What’s going on, Hazel? What is wrong with Gage?” Astrid asks, rubbing my back.

“Gage has a heart condition, and I had no idea. But Dallas knew.”

Dallas drags a hand through his already disheveled hair, frustration etched across his face. “I just knew something was off because I found his pills when we were on the fishing trip. I didn’t know all the details, but I told him he needed to tell you—by today.” He exhales sharply. “But when I saw the way you were still looking at him, I knew damn well he hadn’t been honest with you.”

Penn steps closer. “What kind of pills?”

“Beta blockers,” Dallas finishes. “After a quick Google search, I knew there were a few different reasons why he could be taking them, including for the heart.” He turns to me. “I swear, I didn’t know anything more than that.”

A hollow laugh slips from my lips. “Well, thanks to you, he ended up in the hospital and wants nothing to do with me.”

Parker takes a step toward me. “He said that?”

“It’s not Dallas’s fault that Gage is here, honey,” my mother says, lowering her voice. And I know she’s right, but blaming someone else for this pain feels better than blaming Gage.

God, why did I do this to myself? Why did I let this man in when I knew better?

Because you couldn’t fight it, Hazel.And remember, you tried.

“Is he okay though?” Willow asks. “Is he going to be okay?”

I wipe at my nose, taking the tissue Astrid offers. “I honestly don’t know. I didn’t get much out of him or the doctors before he”—a sob escapes—“told me to leave.”

“And you did?” Cashlynn asks, eyes narrowing in disbelief. “That doesn’t sound much like you.”

I throw my hands in the air. “What was I supposed to do? Maybe he just needs some space.”

“He probably hates you seeing him like that,” Parker says, looking at his wife. “I know I hated letting Cashlynn see me weak.”

“But he’s not weak. I mean, he’s been dealing with this life-changing diagnosis on his own for who knows how long. That takes insane strength. Or in his case,stupidstrength.”

“What is the condition?” Parker asks.

“Something called HCM.” I blow my nose and throw my tissues in the trash as Dallas comes up to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

“I’m sorry, Hazelnut. I wish I’d been wrong. I wish tonight had gone differently. But maybe it’s better that you know now.”

I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “He would have told me, Dallas,” I say. “We had plans to talk about our future this week, and you ruined it.” I turn away from him, but he reaches out to stop me.

“I’m sorry you had to find out like this, but I will never apologize for looking out for you, for trying to protect you.”

“Well, guess what? I got hurt anyway, and now I have no idea what the future looks like for me and the man I love.”