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“No. I’m not family,” I say, dejected.
We are, though. We’re the perfect little family. We take care of each other, share our lives. Remi is our missing piece.
“In Remi’s eyes, you are family. You and Isabel are the most important people in his life. I guess that’s protocol, but…” He shrugs a glum shoulder before holding up his glass. “To Remi’s speedy recovery. May he be back to his normal pain-in-the-ass self in no time.”
It’s a cute joke and if I wasn’t so upset, I might have laughed.
Cody takes his shot and so do I, letting the burn coat my churning stomach, saying a private toast in my head: To the long life we will have together. When he goes to pour me another shot, I hold out my hand. “Thanks, but I need to be clear-headed for when they discharge Remi. I want to be there to pick him up. To bring him home … with me.”
Remi’s best friend gives me a sad smile. “You know, he saved Isabel’s life.”
As if this situation wasn’t already fucked up, I now get the image of my baby laying lifeless on the ground, her lips blue and rosy cheeks ashen. Her stare vacant, the inquisitive twinkle in her eye snuffed out.
My world shatters, and a new wave of grief falls over me. Bile races up my esophagus, burning away the resolve holding me together.
“Tell me.”
“There was some kind of cat rescue event set up on the sidewalk by Isabel’s school. She wanted to pet the cats.”
I give a bitter laugh. “She’s obsessed with them.”
“When the rescue person opened the gate to help Isabel inside, one of the cats darted out and ran into the street. Isabel yanked herself away from Remi and chased after the cat.”
Of course she did. She’d save a spider in trouble.
“Remi ran after her.” Blowing out a breath, he continues, “Here’s the part that’s messed up though.” He scratches the top of his head with the back of his thumb. “From what the witness said, the few cars that were moving along the street pulled over and stopped. But one came flying down the street. It didn’t slow down. The witness said it was as if the car was purposefully going after someone.”
I stop breathing and almost pass out. “What? Why would someone…” Why would anyone want to hurt an innocent person? It’s unfathomable and vile.
Unless … purposely targeted?
All the times I felt like I was being watched come to the forefront of my mind. In one way or another, I was with Remi each time. Was someone aiming for Isabel, knowing Remi would go after her? I can’t imagine he has many enemies, just as I can’t fathom anyone purposely hurting a baby.
“Did the person stop? Do they know who it is?” My thoughts won’t stop racing, but when I glance at Cody, I’m shocked still at the answer in his sad and disapproving eyes.
“No, the fucking bastard ran off,” he spits. “Remi barely got to her in time to push her out of harm’s way. The car hit him head-on.”
Clutching my chest, I double over, having trouble finding oxygen to breathe.
“I’d literally die for that baby.”
“Oh God. Oh no, no, no.” The back of my hand presses against my mouth, but I can’t keep the sob from bursting out of my diaphragm. I need to see him. I need to go. I can’t just sit here.
I pace the kitchen like a caged dragon, ready to raze the town to find whomever is responsible for this tragedy. This abominable moment changed the course of my, Isabel’s, and Remi’s lives forever.
We were destined for happiness and love. Movie nights with popcorn and stolen touches. Family vacations and school plays. Sunday concerts with Gram. Flirty dinners, blithesome breakfasts, and quiet moments just after waking.
The days ahead were supposed to be the sickly sweet honeymoon phase of first love. We’re supposed to nauseate everyone around us and laugh about it. Tell Kiara and Isabel the good news.
Instead we got this—pain, misery, and suffering. Darkness eclipsing a bright future.
“If we ever find out who did this, I’m going to kill them.” Cody’s threat faintly pierces through the haze of sorrow.
How could this have happened? Who would do such a thing?
Fury rips through my veins, blistering my blood. “If I don’t find them first.”
Though it was only a couple of hours, it felt like years waiting for Kiara to call with news. Cody brought me up to speed on who Kiara actually is to Remi—I can’t believe he didn’t tell me she was his sister. He alluded to it earlier, but it didn’t penetrate the fog of shock I was in. Am in.
