Keeping Hope (Broken Girl Series) (13 page)

Jocelyn wraps an arm around our necks pulling us both in. “I’m just glad the two of you are okay. This whole mess has devastated all of us, not to mention poor Abbey.”

“What’s wrong with Abbey?” I rush out.

Jocelyn’s face falls as I look between her and Cole, confused and not knowing what the hell she’s talking about.

“Well, talk to me. Someone. What’s wrong with Abbey?” I demand.

“Abbey’s in hospital. I thought you knew. I’m sorry, Ken. I wouldn’t have blurted it out like that if I thought you didn’t know.”

“What the hell! Abbey’s in hospital? What for? What happened?” I feel my voice tighten at the fear of not knowing what is wrong with Abbey. My best friend.

Cole takes my hand. “Let’s go talk about this somewhere quiet,” he whispers in my ear.

I snap my hand back and start walking toward the door.

“Come on then. Let’s go,” I shout over my shoulder. As I glance back to Pete, I see sadness written all over his face. Whatever has happened I know it’s not good.

Cole

I stand in front of Kennedy. Her eyes never leave mine as I retell the whole damn story. Starting with how we followed her and ending with the crash. I see the pain flicker in her eyes as I explain it all to her.

“Please, baby, don’t be mad at me. There was no good time in the last twelve hours to tell you. There has been so much going on. It never felt right to blurt it out.” I sigh heavily, trying to get her to understand why I hadn’t told her about the accident and Abbey. I wrap my arm around Ken’s slumped shoulders as the tears run frantically down her face. Her sobs are heart breaking, shattering me.

“No!” she yells. “I don’t want you to touch me right now.”

My head drops, resting on my arm.

“Please don’t be angry at me, baby. I was going to tell you when the time was right. As soon as we got home.”

“Home?” she gasps “What? So I wouldn’t be able to visit her while I’m here?” I shout, my voice quivering as the emotion takes over. My hands shake uncontrollably. “I can’t believe you kept this from me. She could die, Cole. She’s my best friend, dammit!”

“I know that. I’m sorry. I should have told you. Fuck, I didn’t know what to do.”

“Damn right you should’ve.” She stands up, rushing over to the door.

“Stop, Ken. Where the hell are you going?” I shout after her.

“I’ve got to get to her. I need to see her, Cole. I need to know she’s okay.” The words rush out, her voice panicky. It makes me sick knowing I did this to her.

Kennedy tries the handle of the door, pulling down on it repeatedly, but the door won’t budge. She starts to kick the wooden barrier in frustration, letting out a shriek as she slumps back against the wall, sliding down, and collapsing on the floor.

“I can’t lose her, Cole. This is all my fault,” she wails, heaving with every breath she takes.

“This isn’t your fault. Don’t say that,” I grate out. “The only people to blame here are those fuckers who ran us off the road.” I kneel beside her, resting my hand on her knee.

“Don’t,” she yells, knocking my hand away from her leg.

I feel my heart thumping in my chest, unsure of how to comfort her. I stay there silently looking at her, hoping she’ll talk to me. She slowly lifts her head, darting a look at me before dropping her head.

“Please, just open the damn door, Cole. I can’t stand to be in this room with you for a moment longer.”

I do the only thing I can. I stand on unsteady legs, unlock the door, and walk away.

Kennedy

I rush down the hall, banging on the doors. I’m frantically trying to locate someone, anyone who can take me to the hospital to see Abbey. I’m angry and scared. The two emotions raw and driving me insane. I have to see her. What if she dies before I get a chance to say goodbye?

I growl in frustration that no one answers. I storm down the hallway, knowing they must still be downstairs in the dining area. I rush with my head down, knocking into a muscular figure, setting me off balance.

“Shit, I’m sorry, Ken.”

The hum of his familiar voice causes me to look at him, dead in the eye. I lift my head slowly, realizing his eyes have not left my face. He moves closer, so close. I feel his warm breath on my skin.

“Kennedy, look at me.”

“I can’t,” I cry out.

I feel the warmth of my tears as they stream down my face.

“Tell me what I can do to help you.” One hand grazes my side as the other wipes away my stray tears.

“I can’t believe he didn’t tell me. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”

“It’s not my place to be stepping on any toes, Ken. I guess the timing wasn’t right for him.”

“I need to see her,” I sob, my breathing all over the place. I inhale sharply, taking in Pete’s sweet scent.

“Well, then let’s go. I have money. Let’s call a cab.”

I lock eyes with him, wondering whether this is just another one of his lame jokes. I step back, taking his hand in mine, still looking directly into his light brown eyes. They have flecks of gold and appear to have a fire burning within them.

I stand there mesmerized by him. “You would do that for me?” I ask, my heart pounding and my face flushing.

“Of course I would, Ken. Let’s go call a cab.” He pulls on my hand, taking me in the direction of his motel room.

He pulls out his key and fiddles with the door handle. He holds open the door, gesturing for me to go in. I stand rigid, looking at him. I fold my arms across my chest, giving him an unspoken warning.

He raises his eyebrows. “Just calling a cab, Ken. Don’t worry, it’s not a ploy to get you in my room. If I remember right, that’s your trick, isn’t it?” He shoots me a cheeky wink and my face heats in response.

I walk in the room and sit on the edge of the bed. I place my shaky hands on my knees, trying to steady myself. I feel like I’m drowning in grief and confusion. I jiggle my legs, needing to dispel the feeling of my amplified senses. I take several deep breaths, but my senses are filled with his aromatic scent. It completely fills the room. Every breath I take intoxicates me. I shut my eyes tightly as I listen to the hum of his voice as he calls for a cab. I feel his warmth suddenly appear beside me, his hand resting on my leg.

‘Breathe’ I tell myself.

I feel Pete’s weight shift on the bed. I turn to see him pulling his legs underneath him as he sits crossed legged beside me.

“I don’t know if you got the gist of that conversation, but a cab will be here in about fifteen minutes. What do you want to do for the next ten?” He looks at me and I watch as he wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

I glare and chuckle all at once.

“See! I knew I could get you to smile,” he laughs.

I look toward him; the sadness overtaking me. My thoughts are consumed with what Abbey is going through, the images almost too much to take. I bite the inside of my cheek, a weak attempt at fighting back the swell of impending tears.

“Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” he asks, resting his hand on my back.

“I shouldn’t be smiling. My friend is critically ill in the hospital. It just feels all wrong.”

“You really think Abbey would want you to be sitting here upset? Everyone knows how much Abbey loves to laugh, and I’m going to be frank here, Ken. You’re much prettier when you laugh.”

I screw up my face. “Hey.”

He holds up his hands in surrender “Just saying,” he chortles out.

He pokes my side, causing me to jump. My mouth twists ruefully. I drop down, lying flat on my back resting my arms over my eyes.

I feel his weight shift on the bed beside me as he lies down. I turn my head toward his, our faces practically touching. I close my eyes as I take in a deep breath, not knowing how to feel with him laying here beside me. Inside I’m hurting, confused and exhausted. I fought for my freedom, only to find that Abbey has lost hers.

Pete clears his throat, trying to get my attention. I drop my arms, turning my head further toward him. His puppy dog eyes bore into me, his lip curled downward. I chuckle lightly, fighting back the tears. I blink down hard and a warm, stray tear falls slowly over my face and down my cheek.

Pete reaches his hand up to my cheek. His thumb swipes away the tear. I can’t help it; I lean into his touch and the warmth of his soft hand as it grazes over my skin. He hooks his fingers around the side of my face, pulling me to him.

His lips are barely touching mine, but before I know it we are kissing. Not full on passion, but gentle, sensual, soft slow kisses. I realize what we are doing and break the connection, jumping off the bed and onto my feet.

I glance over at Pete. His face fills with sadness and regret. He slips off the bed, standing in front of me. I step back instinctively, increasing the distance between us.

I hold up my hand, indicating for him to stay where he is. “Please, Pete, don’t.” I hang my head, the shame and disgust washing through me.

“But…” he stutters.

“I never wanted this to happen,” I interject. “I think we should go down and wait for the cab.” I look up slowly and see him nod in agreement.

“We need to tell Cole where we are going. I don’t want him to freak the fuck out and think something bad has happened to you.”

We head downstairs and straight out the main entrance. I notice the headlights of the cab pulling into the gravel driveway at the front of the motel.

I rush over to the cab, jumping right in. I don’t want to bring attention to the fact that we were going out. I didn’t need the drama or confrontation with Cole right now. I need to be with my friend.

My thoughts are dominated by Abbey, my nerves playing havoc with my body. I can’t stop myself from shaking. The sick feeling in the pit of my stomach causes me to wretch. I force myself to hold it back, but the feeling keeps coming. The sooner we get there, the better.

I listen in as Pete calls Cole, and although he sounds pissed, I think Pete makes him understand.

The drive to the hospital is relatively quick. We rush inside, stopping at the main reception desk to ask for directions to the ICU. The receptionist indicates that it is located on the third floor, pointing us in the direction of the elevator.

I feel my anxiety and nerves hitting me hard. I know I’m about to face a nightmare I never expected. I reach out to make the selection for to go up, my hand trembling as I can barely contain my emotions.

Pete smiles sadly before reaching out and taking my hand into his. I can’t look at him. I keep my head down, hoping to evade his eye contact. The elevator arrives and Pete pulls gently on my hand, leading me inside. He turns, pressing the right button, before trying to pull me against his chest.

I can’t, I just can’t do this with him. I’ve obviously leaned on him far too much, and with my emotions all over the place, I need to distance myself. I step back, my weight resting against the side of the elevator.

“Let me help you, Kennedy. Don’t push me away.”

“I can’t,” I stutter, trying to form my words, trying to make sense of this crazy shit.