Undenied (Unspoken #3)(28)

A low sob echoed across the line. Was her mom crying?

“Honey, it’s your dad. We think he’s had a heart attack. I’m at the hospital here in Galveston.”

“Oh my God. Mom, is he…is he alive?”

“I don’t know anything yet, Payton. They’re still working on him. I just don’t know.”

Payton struggled to stay calm. She didn’t want to freak her mother out more than she was already, but the fact was Payton wanted to cry herself. She wasn’t ready to lose her father. Not her daddy.

Tears pricked her eyelids as she took in several steadying breaths. “I’ll be down as soon as I can, Mom. If there’s any change, call me on my cell. I’m leaving in just a few minutes.”

“Okay, honey, and be careful please. Don’t kill yourself getting down here.”

“I will. I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too, baby,” her mother choked out.

Payton hung up, numb. The sound of water filling the bathtub broke through her shocked silence, and she quickly turned off the flow. Not bothering to let the water out, she raced into the bedroom to dress and pack a suitcase. Traffic on I-45 would be a bitch this time of day, but she had to get on the road and to the hospital as quickly as possible.

* * *

Wes pulled onto Jake’s street, drove down and parked at the curb behind Luke’s truck. The truth was, he didn’t want to be here. He’d rather go home and go to bed, figure out the muddled mass he called a brain. But he owed Gracie an apology in a big way. Besides, being here beat waiting around for a phone call he may or may not get from Payton.

He got out of the truck and walked around to let the tailgate down. He grasped the case of beer and hauled it out of the back. Then he kicked the tailgate back up with his knee and nudged it closed with his hip.

He headed up the walkway to the front door, feeling more dread by the minute. It was some f**ked up, twisted ass shit when he viewed a night with his friends with the same enthusiasm as a trip to the dentist.

At the door, he propped the beer on his knee and rang the bell. A few seconds later, Ellie opened the door and smiled welcomingly at him.

He followed her inside and to the kitchen to dump the beer. “Where is everyone?” he asked.

“Out back getting the grill started. Jeremy and Michelle haven’t made it yet. They called and said Thad wasn’t feeling well, so if I had to guess they’ll either be late or they won’t come.”

“How are you feeling?” he asked, as he folded her in his arms for a hug. At least he could try not to ruin his friendship with everyone.

He dropped a kiss on her cheek as he pulled away.

“I’m fine,” she said with a sweet smile. “Mornings aren’t exactly a walk in the park, but Jake’s been taking good care of me.”

Wes grinned. “Oh, I bet he is.”

She blushed and looked away, which only made Wes chuckle. “Go on outside,” she said, shoving him out of the kitchen. “I’m going to make some tea and then I’ll be out.” She stopped at the cooler and picked up several beers then held them out to him. “Take these while you’re at it.”

He kissed her again on the forehead, took the beer and headed toward the back patio. At the glass door, he paused, looking outside where Jake stood by the grill and Luke and Gracie stood to the side talking and laughing about God knows what.

He took a deep breath, tucked the beers against his stomach with one arm and opened the French door with his free hand. The others looked up when they heard the door. Wes zoomed in on Gracie, though, and at the hurt in her eyes.

“Hey,” Jake said. “Beer guy is here.”

Wes grinned and stepped outside, closing the door with his hip. “Glad I’m good for something.”

He passed out the beers to Jake and Luke first then turned to Gracie. They stared at each other for a long moment, and he held out a beer. “Peace offering,” he said.

Her eyes narrowed and she took the beer. She would have turned away, but Wes caught her arm. He didn’t want to do this in front of everyone, but it would only look weird if he dragged her off to privately apologize. Besides, their group had never kept secrets.

“I’m sorry, Gracie girl. I was an ass.”

“Yes, you were,” she huffed, but her expression softened.

Luke walked over to stand by Gracie and pinned Wes with a questioning stare. “You pissed Gracie off? I didn’t think it was possible.”

“Still friends?” Wes asked. He ignored Luke’s question and held his arms out to Gracie.

She rolled her eyes and walked into his hug. Wes folded his arms around her and enjoyed the feel of something warm and feminine in his arms. Of unconditional friendship. It was a nice feeling.

She kissed him on the cheek. “You’re forgiven. Now if you guys will excuse me, I’m going to go see if Ellie needs any help.”

The men watched as she walked back into the house, and when she shut the door behind her, Jake and Luke both turned to stare at Wes.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and met their stares head-on.

“What the f**k happened between you and Gracie?” Luke demanded.

Wes raised an eyebrow. It wasn’t like Luke to get all pissy and possessive. “I was short with her on the phone. Bit her head off. In short, I was an ass, and she didn’t deserve it.”