Page 76 of The Singles Club

“Now you get it?” I headed toward the counter, and the cashier looked down at my stuff in slight pity. She understood, and I didn’t even have to say a word.

Logan walked up next to me with batteries in hand. I let out a slight grunt, wanting to be anywhere but here.

“You know how your brother used to say we’re exactly alike?”

“I don’t recall that,” I lied.

“Do you love him?”

I didn’t answer at first. “I don’t believe in love.”

Although, I wasn’t so sure what I believed anymore.

“What?”

I slipped my debit card in the machine, waiting impatiently for the “approved” message to spring up on the screen. “Listen Logan, I appreciate you trying to help, but I’ll be fine. Just having a moment. It will pass. It always does.”

I grabbed my bags, and without a goodnight or a goodbye, I walked out the door. I crossed the street and, jumping the curb, dropped my sunglasses. As I reached down to grab them, I was face to face with a black Mercedes backing up. I screamed out as the bumper hit my head, smacking it backwards onto the concrete. I lay flat, stunned and silently praying as the back tire rolled slowly towards me, mere inches from my head.

“Stop!” Logan yelled, and the car came to a halt.

Still frozen in shock, my eyes stared up at a muffler, which rattled as the car’s doors opened and shut.

“Don’t move her,” a voice said. “She could have hurt her neck or back.”

“I didn’t even see her.”

“Call an ambulance.”

“Vivian?” But that wasn’t Logan’s voice. It was Lucas’s. “Can you hear me?”

Of all the heads in all the towns in all the world, he had to back his car into mine.

* * *

Text

To: Justin

From: Isabella

I: I thought you should know, but Vivian was hit by a car and in the hospital. She’s okay. Just checking for a concussion.

J: What hospital?

I: Mass General. They want to schedule an MRI.

J: I’m on my way.

I: You don’t have to come. I’ll keep you updated.

20 minutes later

I: She’ll be okay. It’s not an emergency.

I: Justin?

* * *