Cam nods. “I’m sure they’ll give you an update soon.” He glances around. “Where’s Billy?”
“I have no idea.” Why isn’t he here? Unless he’s pissed at my dad for making him run.
“He said he was coming,” Jake says, pausing to glance at his phone. “I’m not sure why he’s not here yet.”
Billy is on his way.I’m finally able to take a deep breath.
“Roxanne.”
I turn around and see my mom. Her mascara is smeared, and her eyes are swollen. I run into her arms. “How’s Dad?”
She shakes her head. “I’m not sure yet. Let’s return to his ER room. I don’t want to miss the doctor.”
When we get there, I pull back the curtain and rush in, expecting to see my father, but the bed is gone. “Where is he?”
My mother sits me down and then pulls over another straight-backed chair. “He had a blockage and was rushed into the OR.” She wipes her eyes. “It’s all those damn pork rind chips he eats on Sunday while he watches football. I told him he needs to watch his cholesterol.Ya no somos niños.”
We’re not kids anymore.
Sniffling, I wrap my hand tightly around her cold fingers. “We’ll make sure he eats better. I’ll start looking for recipes I think he’ll like.”
We sit side by side, and I watch the clock tick on the wall.
An hour later, a doctor joins us. “The procedure went smoothly, and it was relatively quick, which bodes well for his recovery,” he tells my mother, who breaks down. For some reason, my tear ducts are dry. Maybe it’s because Mom needs me to be strong. I wrap my arm around her as the doctor continues. “He’s in the recovery room. We’ll let you know when he’s been moved upstairs, and you can join him.”
After he leaves, my mom hugs me. “Mija, what ifPapihadn’t gone to campus this morning? He wasn’t supposed to go in until noon, and I had a breakfast date with some girlfriends. If this had happened while he was at home, no one would’ve been there to help him.” She swipes at the tears streaming down her face.
I consider that for a minute. If Billy hadn’t decked Ezra, this could’ve been tragic. Unless the stress of that situation was the catalyst, but I won’t think about that possibility. It sounds like my dad’s heart condition was a ticking time bomb. “I’m just grateful things happened the way they did and that Coach is going to be okay.”
She smiles, relief in her eyes. “I’m going to call your brother. Will you go update everyone in the waiting room?”
“Of course.”
When I get out there, I look for Billy, but he’s still not here. Maybe he’s not coming. I don’t know how to feel about that. He said he loved me. Wouldn’t that mean he’d set aside his differences with my dad to support my family?
I talk to the assistant coaches and let them know my father will be okay. Everyone looks relieved.
Cam motions to me and pulls me aside. “Billy’s in trouble.”
Of course he is,I think with exasperation. My nerves are shot, and the last thing I want to deal with is more drama. “What happened?”
Cam’s lips flatten. “He got arrested for assault.”
My stomach drops.
No.Pressing my hand to my mouth, I shake my head.This is my fault.
That’s when I lean over and throw up all over a potted plant.
34
ROXY
My tires screechto a halt in front of my apartment, and I run in to grab my phone. I want to call out Billy’s name, but I know he’s not here.
Don’t dawdle, Roxy. The faster you do this, the quicker you’ll get him home.
Before I can second-guess myself, I gun it to Ezra’s house. I’m nauseated, hungry, and pissed off. For Ezra’s sake, I hope he hears me out, because I don’t know what I’ll do if he insists on pressing charges.
