Page 163 of Rookie Attraction

I leaned in, our foreheads touching.

“Thank you for trusting me,” I whispered. “I’ll give you my spare when you’re back.”

“You don’t need to feel obligated to⁠—”

“Shut up and kiss me goodbye, Wolfie,” I quipped and stepped closer. “You’re running late and you’re going to miss your ride to the airport.”

Never mind the ride, he almost missed his flight…

The kiss was totally worth it.

Knowing that I’ll be able to claim those lips soon? I end up using Sel’s key sooner rather than later, entering his place to drop off Christmas gifts and waiting for the delivery of a fully lit tree, which is due to arrive any minute. At least we’ll have one night together to celebrate.

My phone rings, and I expect it be the delivery person, but it’s not.

It’s my dad.

“Hey,” I answer. “I promise I’ll wear the sling on the plane just in case. And yes, I’ve started packing for my flight, but it isn’t for another two days, so⁠—”

“Son,” he interrupts, his voice barely a whisper. “I think you need to come home as soon as you can.”

My hearts sinks.

“What’s happened? Mom?”

“Yes.” Dad’s breath hitches. “She started running a fever yesterday, so I took her to the closest hospital. She’d been having bladder irritation for days, which we were told was common with radiation, but it turned into an infection. While we were there, I called her oncologist, and she said to take your mom back to Omaha General, so I did. The doctors here told me an hour ago that it’s spread to her kidneys. She’s been admitted. She’s conscious and alert, but given her immune system, there’s a chance the infection could spread to her blood⁠—”

No, no, no.

This can’t be happening. She was getting better. The worst had passed. That’s what the doctors said. The worst had passed.

“I’m booking a flight today, the earliest I can get,” I state, my vision blurry. “I’ll text you when I land, alright?”

“We’ll be waiting.”

“See you soon.”

My phone buzzes but my hands shake so bad I can hardly answer it. Fuck, now it’s the Christmas tree delivery. I jog over to the door, and when the courier brings it inside, I tell him to place it in the corner. Given my state of distress, I forget to offer him a tip, but there’s no time to worry about it. I’m so panicked that for a moment I don’t realize I’m in Sel’s unit and not my own.

Without pause, I send an email to Coach, Hugo, and my physio team about the situation. I head back upstairs to my place, finish throwing whatever I need in my bag, and start searching for flights to Omaha. Thankfully, I find a seat on a flight that leaves in two hours. Then I’m off, throwing on my warmest coat and grabbing a rideshare to the airport. Once I go through security, I head for the boarding area with twenty minutes to spare. I can’t sit so I pace. Each minute feels like an hour. I’ve never wanted to fly so freaking bad in my life.

Looking at the time, I call Sel. It’s game day, so I assume it’ll go to voicemail.

“Hey,” he answers. “I’m heading out for a bite before the game, can I call you later?”

“No,” I whisper as the tears finally unleash and trickle down my face. “I’ll be on the plane by then.”

“Plane? What’s going on?”

“My mom,” I manage to croak out. “She’s in the hospital. An infection in her bladder and kidneys, and the doctors are concerned, given her low immunity, that it might spread. Fuck, what if… what if⁠—”

I cover my mouth to contain a sob. Strangers are staring at me, but I don’t give a crap.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. What can I do?”

“I… I d-don’t know,” I stutter as my breath hitches. “Just t-talk to me.”

“I wish I was there with you. To hold your hand, to hold you.”