Never Doubt Me: Judge Me Not #2(60)

Sirens wail in the distance, and Kay, who is kneeling down by the driver’s seat of Missy’s car, brushes hair away from Missy’s face. I shake my head, since I can’t tell whether Missy is still conscious.

Jared asks again, more panicked now, if Missy will be okay.

“I don’t know,” I say. I’m being honest.

An ambulance arrives, and I turn to Jared.

“They’ll be coming over here after they take care of Missy. You sure you don’t have anything you need to come clean about?” I arch a brow.

“Like what?” he asks, bewildered. “You still think I’m f*cked up?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “Some people are good at hiding it. You tell me.”

“I did tell you,” he huffs. “I’m fine, I swear.”

“Where were you and my brother all day? What were you two up to? If you just dropped him off, that means you were with him for hours. Where were you, and what were you two doing all that time?”

“Will and I weren’t off doing drugs all day, if that’s what you’re implying. We drove to the lake, the one just across the state line. We hung out, swam a little, just chilled. Will said he needed to get away and unwind. He was going crazy in that house, worrying about Cassie and shit.”

“Okay, fair enough.” I accept that the lake is probably where he and my brother went, but I still have to ask. “If drugs weren’t in the picture today, then why the f*ck did you two stop by Kyle’s place this morning?”

Jared glances away quickly, and I know for certain there’s more to the visit to Kyle Tanner.

I step closer to Jared and whisper, “Tell me before the paramedics come over. Tell me and I won’t be pissed. Did my brother buy any drugs from Tanner?”

“No.”

I know I’m being played in some way. My blood starts to boil. “What other possible reason,” I grind out, “would you two have for stopping in at that motherf*cker’s house?”

For this brief second, Jared’s eyes meet mine, and I f*cking know he’s about to spill.

But just as Jared opens his mouth, wouldn’t you know it, a paramedic steps over to where we’re standing. Reluctantly, I move off to the side.

I glance over at Kay, hoping to get her attention. She’s still next to Missy, holding her hand as two paramedics maneuver her battered body onto a stretcher. After Missy is secured, Kay finally notices me. She nods and heads over to where I’m standing.

“Is she going to be okay?” I ask when Kay stops in front of me.

“I don’t know,” she replies. “I think so, but they’re concerned for the baby.”

“Jesus, I hope everything is okay.”

Nodding once to where the paramedic is talking to Jared, Kay whispers, “I can’t believe it was Jared who crashed into Missy.”

“I know. It’s f*cking crazy.”

“Will’s safe at home, then?” she asks.

“Yes.”

Kay bites her lip and glances over at the ambulance. “Would you mind if I ride in the ambulance with Missy? Her mom’s been notified, but Missy is going to be all alone until we get to the hospital. She’s really scared, Chase, and I feel bad leaving her.”

“Of course, babe, go with her.” I lean down and kiss the top of Kay’s head. “I’ll head back to the house to check on Will. I can always meet you at the hospital later if you need me to.”

Kay glances over to where the paramedic is checking Jared’s vitals. “Is he messed up?” she asks in a low voice. “Were he and Will out partying?”

I shake my head. “No, he claims they just drove out to the lake in Pennsylvania. He insists they hung out and swam all day.”

“No drugs, then?” Kay queries.

“No drugs,” I say.

Kay’s brow creases. “Okay, then. But why would they stop at Kyle’s this morning?”

“I don’t know,” I say. “But, believe me, I intend to find out.”





Chapter Fourteen


Kay


I stay with Missy, holding her hand until we reach the hospital ER. But, as the paramedics roll Missy into a sterile corridor, I am shooed away by a stern-looking nurse.

“I’m sorry, miss, but you’re not family,” the nurse declares when I protest and beg to stay. “There’s a waiting room right down the hall.” She points to the area where we came in. “You’re more than welcome to wait in there.”

“Okay.” I sigh resignedly.

I start toward the waiting room, but stop at a coffee machine. Between Missy and Will, I have a feeling I’m in for a long night and could use some caffeine.

As I’m focused on digging around in my purse for some loose change, I feel a tap on my shoulder. Startled, I spin around and find myself face-to-face with Mrs. Metzger, Missy’s sweet, portly mom.

“Oh, Kay, I apologize.” She rubs my arm consolingly. “I didn’t mean to startle you like that, sweetie.”

“I’m fine, Mrs. Metzger.” I smile. “Just jumpy, I guess.”

“Of course,” she replies, nodding and dropping her hand from my arm. “I guess we’re all a little on edge after what’s happened to my Missy.”