Page 38 of The Destruction You Desire

"L-Liberty?"

"Yes."

"Is she okay?" I ask in a rush, but the knot in my stomach from the tone in the lady's voice on the other end already tells me that she's not.

"Your sister was brought in following a drug overdose, Miss Banks. I highly suggest you find a way to get here if you'd like to see her."

Tears spill from my eyes at her unspoken words.

"S-she's n-not going to m-make it?"

"Her condition is critical, Miss Banks."

"O-okay. I'll get there as soon as I can," I promise before hanging up, not able to hear anything else. I stare at my blank screen for a few seconds as I try to process what I just heard. But the only words that repeat over and over in my head are that my sister might possibly die.

A sob rips from my throat as I push from the wall and all but run down the hallway, needing to get home and find a way to get my ass to Atlanta.

I don't realize there's anyone in front of me until I slam into what feels like a brick wall.

"Shit, I'm—Peyton?"

A large, warm pair of hands land on my shoulders and moves me back before his stare burns into the top of my head.

I suck in a shaky breath, wondering why it had to be right now that I run into him.

"What's wrong, P?"

The genuine concern I hear in his voice forces a sob up my throat and in seconds, I’m gathered in his arms, my face pressed firmly against his chest as his scent fills my nose.

Unable to keep myself under control, I let it all out and cried into him for everything I've already lost and everything I could be about to lose.

I don't realize we've moved until he lifts me onto his lap.

Lifting my head from his chest, I look around and find that we're still in the hallway but sitting on the chairs a little further down from the auditorium I was just in. Thankfully, the entire hallway is empty. It's bad enough that Luca just witnessed my meltdown, I don't need anyone else to see the mess I've been reduced to.

"Tell me what's wrong, baby." His voice is soft, and for a few seconds I forget all about the past few weeks, the past few years and I want nothing more than to confide in him and allow him to do what he can to support me.

But that's not who we are now.

His giant hands engulf my face when he cups my cheeks and wipes away my tears with his thumbs.

"Talk to me," he breathes, his eyes begging me to open up.

"I-it’s Libby. She's—" A sob cuts my words off, but I find some strength from him and suck in a deep breath. "She's in the hospital. I think… I think I'm going to lose her, too."

"Shit." He pulls me into him once again but this time, I refuse to fall apart.

I can't because I need to get to Libby. I need to be there for her no matter what happens. I need her to know that she's not alone. That no matter what has happened in the past, I'll always be there.

I fight to get out of his hold and stand on weak legs.

"What are you doing?" he asks, taking in the determined look on my face.

"I need to figure out a way to get to Atlanta."

"Okay, let's go."

"W-what?"