AllFreeNovel
Share Us
In the background, I can hear sirens and people screaming.
“Barry, it’s Nate’s friend, Emma. I saw the report on the news about the bombing. Please tell me he’s alright.”
“Emma?”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Nate’s been taken to the hospital. The main terminal had an explosion this evening just as he was coming out of the bathroom. He has some injuries.”
My lip starts to quiver, and I try to hold it together, “Is, is, he alive?”
“Yes, and I don’t think his injuries are life-threatening, but he had some pretty bad stomach pain. They weren’t sure if he sustained something internal. I’m trying to get a cab to the hospital now, but it’s chaos. The police made me wait to be questioned.”
“Please, you need to call me when you know something. I can’t lose Nate.”
“I will. I have to go.”
The phone clicks, and I stare at it in my hand. Nathaniel, my best friend, is injured and I don’t know if I’ll see him again. I don’t know who to call. I press the contact for Lexi, and after several rings, it goes to voicemail. I don’t bother leaving a message. I need my sister, who was like a mother growing up. I scroll to JC and press the button, hoping he can tell me where Lexi is.
“Hello? Emma?” The voice is not JC; it’s Jordan. Through my tears, I must have hit the wrong J. I don’t say anything as I whimper, and the tears roll.
“Emma? What’s wrong?”
“Nathaniel, London,” is all I can push out of my mouth.
“Doll, I’m coming right now.”
I drop the phone and break into hysterics. I can hear Jordan calling my name, but I don’t pick the cell back up. Twenty-five agonizing minutes later, he’s at my door, pounding on it to let him in. I drag myself up and open the lock. He bursts in and takes me into his arms, holding me against his chest. I clench the back of his suit in my fists and cry it all out.
“Baby, he’s going to be okay. I called some contacts over in London. They’re checking the hospitals for information.”
He leads me to the couch and eases me down, then pulls me onto his lap, cradling me like a child. His arms feel so good around me, and I bury my head against his shoulder.
“Shh, calm down. I’m here.”
“If anything happens to him…”
“Let’s wait for news before you continue working yourself up.”
As if on cue, his phone rings, “Doll, let me get this. It might be London.”
I move away slightly, not wanting to relinquish the comfort of his arms entirely. He snakes his hand into his pocket and retrieves his phone.
“Yes.”
I listen intently to his conversation. Nate is in the hospital with some minor trauma to his stomach, a cut on his arm requiring stitches and plenty of bruises from flying debris. He should be released in a day or two. I breathe a huge sigh of relief. Jordan hangs up and slips the phone back into his pocket.
“He’s going to be okay. My guy talked to Barry, his manager. He’s canceling the rest of the European tour. Nate should be home in the next few days as soon as he’s well enough to travel. I can send my jet for him.”
“The one that broke down?”
“No. I have two jets, and this one is bigger. The other jet is having a full overhaul, and then I’m selling it for a newer model. Doll, why don’t you get changed and wash your face. We need to talk.”
I didn’t want to leave his embrace. It felt good to be back in Jordan’s arms. I made a mistake breaking up with him. I let my stupid pride get in the way. He’s not stalking me. He’s in love with me.
“I just want to stay here a little longer.” I hold him tighter, and he puts his lips against my forehead.
“Go ahead, baby. Go clean up,” he says after a few minutes.
