Enchanted (The Accidental Billionaires #4)(58)

My entire body started to shake. “He would have called if he was able. I know he would have,” I said tremulously. “I’m coming. Let me grab my purse and lock the door.”

Every action was automatic.

I certainly couldn’t think rationally.

I had to assume that Noah was bad enough that he couldn’t use his phone.

Owen followed me through the back door, and I locked it behind him and grabbed my purse. We exited in the front where Owen’s car was parked.

The hospital was on the other side of downtown, but it wouldn’t take us long to get there.

“Buckle up,” Owen insisted as he pulled out of the driveway.

I reached for my seat belt in a daze. “They have to be all right,” I said with a calmness I definitely didn’t feel.

Owen had two brothers who were injured. I was not going to lose it in front of him.

I couldn’t.

I had to keep it together for Owen’s sake.

“At least I know they weren’t on the freeway. The cops gave Skye the location of the accident,” Owen said pensively. “Not that people don’t haul ass on that main road away from town, but I know that Aiden wouldn’t be doing that. There’s too many kids around at that time of day.”

“It must have happened a few hours ago,” I said absently. “He was supposed to meet me at my place when he was done meeting up with Seth and Aiden. What about Seth?”

“It was just Aiden and Noah, as far as I know.”

Seth must have driven separately, or been dropped somewhere in town before Aiden and Noah headed toward home. Noah had told me he was riding with Aiden when I’d spoken to him earlier on the phone.

“Does Seth know?” I asked nervously.

Owen nodded. “Skye was going to call Seth and Jade on the way to the hospital. She wanted to see what was going on before she called Brooke.”

It was the rational thing to do, since Jade’s twin sister was living on the other side of the country with her husband.

“We can’t panic until we know the whole situation,” Owen said, sounding like he was trying to convince himself to stay calm. “Mostly likely, they’re both fine.”

ICU. ICU. ICU.

Intensive care.

I’d spent enough time in the critical-care unit to know that whatever had happened, it wasn’t good, but I wasn’t going to voice my fears to Owen.

I turned my face toward the passenger window as tears spilled from my eyes.

The wait to get to the hospital was agonizing when we had no idea how either of the guys were doing.

I wished that I would have told Noah how much I loved him. I should have. But I didn’t.

I’d been waiting for him to say it, but he hadn’t.

What if he’s not okay? What in the hell am I going to do?

He should have heard those words a long time ago. I’d certainly felt them.

Why didn’t I tell him? I’m ready for anything he wants. I’m ready for a . . . future.

Funny that I could suddenly have that epiphany when I wasn’t sure if he had forever.

Dammit!

Covertly, I swiped the tears from my cheeks.

It had never occurred to me that someday, it could be Noah who was lying in a hospital bed with his life hanging in the balance.

He was too full of life, too bold, too full of energy and light.

Tomorrow is never a guarantee.

Noah had said that, and he was right. All this time, I’d only imagined myself getting ill. Not him.

I was the one I’d always imagined who might leave him.

I wrapped my arms around my body.

Please don’t leave me, Noah. Please.

I couldn’t even imagine a life without him anymore. He’d turned my life upside down, taught me how to love, showed me what real love should be like.

He’d love me even if I did get sick.

Noah was just stubborn that way when he cared about someone. He’d stick to me like superglue, no matter the circumstances.

I breathed a sigh of relief when we pulled in to the hospital.

I’d been an idiot not to just jump into a relationship with Noah headfirst, simply because of my fear.

If I’d just ridden the feelings I had for him, let them just come naturally, and allowed myself to act on every single one of them, I wouldn’t be worried about the fact that Noah might not know that I loved him.

I just need one more chance. Please give me one more chance.

Owen and I didn’t say a word once he’d found a parking spot. He just put his arm around me, and we sprinted for the emergency room.





CHAPTER 24

ANDIE



“Everybody needs to just go home. Get out, and go get some sleep. Stop fussing over me. I’m going to live until tomorrow.”

I let out the huge breath I’d been holding as I heard Noah’s comment all the way from outside his room.

If he was that grumpy, he was going to be okay, right?

Aiden was down in the ER getting a laceration sewn up before he could go home. All of his tests had been negative, so he’d be discharged. Skye and Owen were sitting with him.

Seth, Riley, Jade, and Eli were inside Noah’s room in the ICU right now, but would probably be leaving soon since Noah had just given them their walking orders.

I sagged against the wall, relief flooding over me.