Page 84 of Almost Beautiful (Beautiful 3)

“Is he all right?” Abby asked.

“He’s pretty sick. Passed out in Dad’s truck on the way to the ER. They’re running some tests. He’ll live.”

She sighed. “Oh, thank God.”

I smiled, loving my wife for loving my family as much as I did.

The phone beeped. “Oh, hey, Pidge. Cami is calling.”

“Okay. I’m halfway there.”

I clicked over. “They’re running tests. Taking his blood now.”

“He’s okay?” Camille said, panic in her voice.

“He’s going to be okay, Cami,” I said.

She sighed. “God. He hasn’t been sleeping well. He’s been exhausted and pale. I knew this morning I shouldn’t have left him. I knew it.”

Trenton held out his hand for the phone. “Let me talk to her.”

I nodded.

“Hey, baby. I’m okay. Shhh … shhh. I’m okay. I know. I shoulda told the doctor at the appointment.” He paused, and then frowned. “Cami, it’s not your fault. Stop. Baby, stop. No. NO, don’t drive here, damn it, I mean it. Cami, I saidno.” He looked to me. “Can Abby pick her up? She’s upset.”

I nodded.

Trenton resumed his conversation. “Abby’s on her way to get you. It’s gonna be okay, I promise.”

Trenton handed me the phone, and I tapped out a text to Abby. She responded with a quick “K”.

“Abby’s picking her up. They’ll be here soon.”

Trenton sighed. “Damn it. I’m such an asshole.”

“Get comfortable,” Lana said, tagging all the vials with stickers. “They said you’re staying.”

Trenton’s eyes widened. “What? No. No, I can’t.”

“Hey,” I said, walking to his bedside. “It’s covered.”

“Trav,” he said, the muscles of his jaw ticking. “It’ll cost thousands.”

Lana excused herself, and I waited until she was completely out of the room, and then looked to Dad.

“Can you grab him some ice chips, Dad? I bet he’s dehydrated.”

“Sure can,” Dad said, standing. He hobbled from the room and as soon as the door shut, I turned to my brother.

“I spoke to the doctor. It’s covered,” I said.

“What? How?”

“Her little sister was at the fire. I guess I helped her get out.”

Trenton’s brows pulled together. “Damn.”

“You just rest easy. It won’t cost a thing.”