Page 59
“You’ve reached Austin Murray. I can’t take your call right now. Please…”
He always answered the phone… Unless he blocked or ignored me… Or actually ignores his phone sometimes now.
I hit another button so I could speak a text message. “It’s an emergency. Please call if you’re in Detroit.” I clicked again and told the car to send it to Austin.
“Do you think he will?” G asked
I wished I felt more confident. “Knowing that it’s an emergency should—”
The phone ring filled the car as the center screen lit up with his name. I punched the accept button.
“Austin, thank God.”
“Kyle, what’s wrong?” He sounded sleepy, concerned but thankfully not angry.
“It’s my mom.” My voice broke.
G rested his hand on my thigh, a comforting touch.
“Tell me.”
I laid out the situation. “Can you… I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t ask this, but could you go to the hospital and be there if she wakes up or anything? She at least knows you. I’m not sure I can get there until almost noon tomorrow.”
I heard rustling like he was moving the sheets. I pictured him in his boxers, hair tussled. He’d be moving in his determined, I’ve got something to do mode. “Of course. I’ll go to the hospital and be there for her. I can also get you a flight tonight. It might take an hour to sort out but—”
“Really? That’d be amazing. I’ll pay whatever.”
“Let’s just get you here first.”
I released my death grip on the steering wheel. With so many things to worry about, at least getting home sooner than later would happen. G offered a small smile and nodded.
“Thank you. I’m on my way to my place to pack a bag.”
“Did you get to go out with Garrett?”
Did he watch the game or just keep up with the schedule? “Yeah. We were grabbing a bite when DPD called.”
“I’m glad you weren’t alone when that call came in.”
The call was headed into awkward territory. Did he miss me like I missed him?
Luckily, I pulled into the parking lot of my apartment building, so we wouldn’t have to drag this out. “I just parked. Let me go get packed so I’m ready to go when you have the details.”
“Sounds good. I’ll call you back as soon as possible.”
“Thank you, Austin. I appreciate this more than you know.”
He softly said, “Greta’s important. You need to get here for her. I’m glad I can help.”
He disconnected, and I turned off the car. G opened his door, but I didn’t move.
“Okay?” he asked.
“No. Did you hear how he sounded? He didn’t care this would keep him up for hours. He had something to take care of and he did it.”
“He had something to take care of for you.” G looked at me. The concern bouncing through his eyes didn’t help the conflict raging inside me. “I don’t know Austin that well, but I don’t think he’d have moved like that for just anyone. And you knew you could call him. Maybe you two can talk while you’re home.”
He stared at me to the point it got uncomfortable.
