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33
CARLEE
“Honey,” I hear Mawmaw say at the bedroom door.
I stir, reaching for the lamp, realizing I fell asleep while waiting for Weston. I’d had a long day full of big emotions and realizations, so it’s not surprising I was exhausted. Not to mention the ridiculous amounts of booze we drank. I lift my arm, catching sight of the bracelet attached to my wrist, knowing Weston is wearing one too.
I like seeing it and thinking about him.
Mawmaw’s hair is up in rollers, and I can’t read her expression. I can feel the energy is off though.
“Mawmaw? Everything okay?” I ask, half asleep.
I glance at the clock on the table and see it’s just after nine. It’s earlier than I thought. My hair is still damp from my shower, so I haven’t been asleep for very long. I just crashed hard.
She sits next to me on the bed. “Leelee, there’s been an accident.” Her voice is comforting, but it doesn’t stop my heart from racing.
“There’s been an accident with Weston and—” Her bottomlip quivers.
“Mawmaw,” I say, my voice trembling as I turn to her, “Is Weston hurt?”
“I don’t know. I could barely understand what Lucas said.”
I stand, growing desperate as adrenaline courses through me. “I need to know if Weston is okay.”
“I don’t know. Lucas said there was a gun involved.”
I want to understand. With each passing second, I grow more upset. “It was supposed to be family fun. No one was supposed to get hurt. My brothers and cousins were playing a joke on him.”
“Let’s drive out to the tree farm. Lot D—that’s where they are. Ambulances are already there. We can go right now.”
Tears immediately stream from my face as I grab my phone and call Weston. I call again and again and again. When he doesn’t answer, I grow hysterical. The surge of hot blood pumping through my body makes me feel like I need to throw up. The terrible thoughts make me sick. I drown in them, struggling to breathe. I think I’m hyperventilating.
“Come on. Deep, calm breaths,” she says. “It will do neither of us any good, sitting here, waiting for someone to give us an update.”
I call Lucas, but he doesn’t answer. I make my way down my family Contacts list, starting with my brothers and then moving to the rest of my cousins. I consider calling Easton, but I can’t tell him something bad might have happened. It would be too difficult to hear his voice.
Mawmaw and I get in the car and drive to the tree farm lots. She can’t see well at night and blasts the high beams, but she’s driving too slow.
I text Weston.
Carlee
Weston, please call me back. I’m so worried something bad happened. Mawmaw is driving me there.
Carlee
I don’t know what I’d do without you. I’m so scared.
Tears stream down my face. Mawmaw prays for ten minutes straight.
Carlee
Weston, I love you so much.
Carlee
Please call me! I’m freaking out.