Just for Now (Sea Breeze #4)(60)

I hadn’t led Jason on at all. I’d been painfully honest with him. I was still in love with Preston. I probably always would be. But if Jason wanted to be friends, then I’d like that. I needed friends right now.

“I’ll keep that offer in mind.”

“How’s wedding planning coming in the Hardy household? Only two more weeks.”

The wedding had taken over our lives. There were flowers everywhere, and candles and several different china patterns covering the dining room table. It was insane. Willow was the most laid-back bride I’d ever met. She just smiled and agreed to things. My mother, on the other hand, was a freaking bridezilla, and she was just the mother of the groom.

“I think I may borrow that jet of yours and fly to the Keys until it’s over. That or kill my mom.”

Jason laughed. “I’ll let you borrow the jet, but I don’t think Jax has enough influence to get you off the hook for murder. Running away sounds like a safer plan.”

“You’re probably right. I’ll stick with plan A.”

“I’m still planning on kicking your butt on the Go Kart track. After the wedding, the race is on.”

We had gotten into a conversation about the Go Kart track in town and how I knew which one was the fastest and I couldn’t be beat. He disagreed that he couldn’t beat me. We made plans to go race after the wedding.

“I haven’t forgotten. I’m currently in training, Hollywood. You’re out of your league.”

My phone beeped, and I pulled it back to see Jimmy’s number flashing across the screen. Why would Preston’s little brother be calling me?

“Um, Jason, I gotta go. I’ve got a call on the other line I need to take.”

“All right, Bama. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye,” I replied before clicking over.

“Jimmy?”

“It’s Brent.”

“Brent, are you okay?”

“I’m okay, but Momma’s been asleep for a real long time, and we can’t wake her up. I called Preston and he didn’t answer. Jimmy isn’t home yet from school, and I don’t know if I should call 911.”

I ran back toward the parking lot for my car. “How long has she been asleep?” I asked.

“Since yesterday morning.”

Oh no.

“Weren’t you at school yesterday and today? Could she have gotten up while you were at school?”

That had to be it.

“No, she hasn’t moved. At all.”

“Okay, Brent. I’m on my way right now. I want you to call 911 when we hang up, and tell them this exact same thing, okay? Then you and Daisy sit together in the living room. I’ll be there in about five minutes. Be waiting on me.”

“She’s dead, ain’t she?”

How did I tell this little boy his mother was very likely dead? That or in a coma.

“We don’t know that. She could just be sleeping a long time. You call 911. I’m on my way. Is Daisy okay?”

“Yeah, she’s sitting here beside me.”

“Good. You keep her right there with you. See you in a minute.”

“Okay, bye.”

He disconnected the line, and I dialed Preston’s number. It rang three times, then went to voice mail.

“It’s Preston. You know what to do.”

“Preston, it’s Amanda. Brent just called me. Your mother hasn’t woken up in two days. They’re worried. I had him call 911, and I’m on my way over there. Call me as soon as you get this.”

I ended the call and gunned the engine.





Chapter Twenty-Three



Preston



A loud banging sound interrupted my dreams. I tried to block it out. I wasn’t ready for this dream to end. Amanda was laughing and running down the beach while I chased her. She didn’t hate me. She still loved me. The banging was joined with a ringing noise and some yelling. I peeled open my eyes and glanced over at the clock. It was four in the afternoon. I’d slept all day. I hadn’t gotten home from work until almost four this morning. Then I’d been too jacked up on coffee to sleep. It had been almost seven before I crashed. I had to go back to work at eight tonight.

The banging reminded me of why I was awake. I stumbled out of bed and made my way to the door before whoever was on the other side beat it down.

I jerked it open to see Marcus standing on the other side. “Shit, man, I was getting ready to break the door down. I’ve been calling you, and then banging on this door for over ten minutes when that didn’t work.”

“I was sleeping. I’m working nights now, you know.”

“That’s right. I forgot you worked last night. Listen, I need to tell you something, and I don’t know how you’re gonna take it, so you might want to sit down.”

This was not something you wanted to wake up to. “What is it?” I demanded. I didn’t need to sit down, I just needed to know.

“It’s your mom. She overdosed.” He paused and waited for a reaction from me.

“Did it kill her this time?” This wasn’t her first overdose.

Marcus placed his hand on my shoulder and let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, man. It did.”

I turned and headed for my room to put on some clothes. The kids would need me. I slipped on some jeans and tried to figure out how I could fit all three kids in here and take care of them when I was working nights. Without my mom’s rent and utilities I’d have a little extra to hire a sitter.