Page 49 of Saving His Heart

He doesn’t look up, but I know a defeated man when I see one.

Chapter 19

Preston

When I get outside, I’m thankful to find the driver is waiting. Walking to the car, I wave him off when he jumps out to open my door. I slid into the back seat, let my head fall back, and take a deep breath.I am so exhausted. Daily activities are becoming more difficult. It makes me worry that Dr. Terry’s estimation was too generous.

Instead of worrying about what I cannot control, I pull out my phone and make a list.

-Call the University of North Carolina.

-Get a contractor to Liam’s house ASAP.

-Have Mona find an apartment near campus.

-Call Mr. Whipple to set up accounts.

I’m interrupted by an incoming text message.

Dexter:Heard something’s up with Emory’s family? Let us know what we can do.

Ashton: Why am I just hearing about this now?

Trevor: Lexi told Julia that Emory was pretty upset.

Easton: What is going on?

Dexter: Let us help Preston. No more secrets, remember?

My family has already accepted her.

Preston:Thanks, guys. Everything’s under control.

I startle when someone opens my door.Jesus, I’m losing my mind.

“Sorry to disturb you, sir. I’ve already taken your bags to your room when I dropped off Miss Emory and her sister. Here is your room key,” the driver whose name is escaping me says.

I can’t help but cringe. “How angry were the ladies? Ah, I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your name.”

“The name is Sam, Mr. Westbrook, and on a scale of one to ten, I’d say Miss Emory was volcanic. Her sister, however, thoroughly enjoyed Miss Emory’s displeasure. If I may say so, sir, I believe you have an ally in that one.”

“Thank you for the heads-up, Sam.” I chuckle. “We should be good for the rest of the night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Yes, sir.”

Turning to face the building, I’m not sure how to describe it. It’s like a double-decker motel, but I learned my lesson from GG on my last visit to Vermont.Don’t be such an ass about judging places like this.

Noticing my room number printed at the top of the old-fashioned gold key, I look at my options and see two staircases on either side of the building.Room number 226 has to be on the second floor, right?I’m out of breath by the time I get to the top—another reason to dread my remaining days.

There are rooms on my left, and the right is open to the road. I watch the parking lot as I drag my sorry ass down the corridor. Exhaustion like this is becoming a real bitch, so I’m not paying attention to my surroundings as much as I probably should. That’s why I am not prepared for the door that flies open or the four arms dragging me into one of the rooms.

“Where have you been?” a voice I recognize quietly scolds.

When my eyes finally adjust to the lighting change, I notice Emory’s sister, Tilly, is the one talking. Next to her is obviously another of their sisters.

“Why are you whispering, and why the sneak attack in the hallway?” I ask.

“Will you keep your voice down?” the other sister scolds.