Rascal (Rascals Book 1)(62)

That just made Portia cry even more, and she was holding onto Emerson for dear life. He had to turn his full attention to her, which meant that Hayley was hugging herself, looking sad and forlorn.

Before I could second-guess my actions, I reached out for her, and she quickly wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly.

I caught Emerson’s gaze across his mother’s shoulders.

“Thank you,” he mouthed.

I could only nod. I was relieved I could offer some sort of comfort.

“What happened?” he asked, after a few moments, when it seemed as though his mother had calmed down some.

Portia sniffed and wiped at her eyes and nose with a tissue.

“I don’t know,” she said. “We were at the table, and all of a sudden he grabbed his arm and went completely pale. Then he keeled over.”

Emerson looked horrified, and I couldn’t blame him. No wonder Portia was in such a state. It must have been a frightening thing to witness.

“We got him to the hospital and he was conscious, but I haven’t heard anything yet.” Portia reached out and took Hayley’s hand. “Then I called Hayley and she met me here.” She looked at Emerson. “I’m so glad she was able to get a hold of you.”

“I’m sorry it took me so long to get here,” Emerson told them. “We were camping with the guys.”

“I’m just glad you’re here,” Portia told him, her voice wavering a bit, but she took a deep breath and seemed to calm herself.

“The nurses at the front desk said that he was resting,” Emerson told us. “Has anyone been in to see him?”

Portia and Hayley shook their heads. “The doctor is still in there. We’re just waiting to hear what they found out.”

Emerson nodded, his expression grim.

We all stood there, looking at each other. Then, I saw Hayley’s eyes light up.

“Oh my God.” She let out a small squeal that surprised all of us. Because she sounded happy all of a sudden. “Did you two get back together?” she asked, holding her hands to her chest, looking a little like a kid on Christmas morning.

Emerson offered a sheepish look.

“You did!” Hayley shrieked and yanked us both into a hug. “This is so great!” She pulled back and punched Emerson in the arm.

“Ow.” He rubbed at the injured spot. “What was that for?”

“Don’t do that again,” she ordered him.

“Do what?” He looked thoroughly confused.

“Break up with Alex,” Hayley told him, looping her arm through mine. “She’s the best thing that ever happened to you, and you can’t fuck it up again.”

“Don’t worry.” Emerson took my hand. “I plan to do everything in my power to keep from fucking up like that again.”

I blushed. The past twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind, and now Hayley was looking at me like I was about to become her new sister. Which didn’t scare me as much as it might have in the past. This thing between me and Emerson was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before, and I was in the same boat as him. I would do absolutely anything to make sure we didn’t fuck it up again.

“Mrs. Hayes?” The doctor came out of Henry’s room, and tension immediately reappeared in everyone’s face.

“How is he?” Portia asked urgently. Both Hayley and Emerson were at her side, each holding a hand.

“He’s a very lucky man,” the doctor told them. “It wasn’t a heart attack.”

Portia sagged with relief. “Thank God,” she murmured, clutching her children’s hands. “What happened?”

“It was a warning,” the doctor told them. “Your husband needs to make some serious lifestyle changes—in his diet, his method of exercise, and the way he deals with stress. He’s not a man in his twenties anymore, and he needs to start treating his body appropriately.”

The doctor continued talking, telling them that Henry had put undue stress on his heart and now needed lots of rest and relaxation. And less red meat.

“Oh, Daddy is going to hate that,” Hayley murmured, and Emerson nodded.

“Most men his age experience a wake-up call like this,” the doctor said. “Some of them don’t get a warning, though, so we consider this to be the best-case scenario.”

“We’ll make sure he makes some changes,” Portia told the doctor firmly, and it was clear from the expression on her face that there was no way Henry was going to be arguing with her about this. “Can I see him?”

The doctor nodded. “Keep it short, though,” he told us. “Your father is still resting. We’d like to keep him here for another night or two just to make sure he’s in a good place before we send him home.”

“Of course.” Portia shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you so much.”

Then she disappeared into Henry’s room, leaving Emerson, Hayley, and I to process the news. Everyone seemed to let out a long breath at the same time. Hayley gave her brother a big hug, and then gave me one as well.

“I knew he’d be OK,” Emerson told Hayley. “He’s too stubborn to kick the bucket.”

“He’s going to be so mad about the diet change,” Hayley said.

“I’m pretty sure your mom can handle that,” I commented, and Hayley grinned.