We’re just wrapping up our team lunch when I get a slew of texts and messages. For some reason, this side of the field house is a cell phone dead zone.
I’m relieved to see a message from Abby.
Yesterday was a shit show. My plan had been to take her and Hazel to lunch, then try to get some time alone with Abby and ask if she wanted to make plans with me for the future, to see if she’d like to stick around second semester.
Then Hazel got sick and almost caught us in bed together.
Things went downhill after that.
Abby took off so fast when Gemma’s family stopped by, and I haven’t had a chance to smooth things over. She was obviously upset. I admit I didn’t handle things well. I was hoping to talk to her when she got home last night, but she stayed with Paige, which I’m guessing can’t be good.
My heart skips a beat when I read her first message.
We were in an accident.
Who’s we? Her and Paige?
But it gets worse.
Hazel might have whiplash.
The EMTs are taking her to the hospital.
I’m so sorry!!!
My vision goes blurry, and I have to lean against a pillar. Why was Abby driving Hazel? Denise is supposed to pick her up from preschool.
Oh, fuck. Hazel’s in the hospital.
I bolt across the field house and out into the parking lot. People call out my name, teammates asking where I’m going, as I jump into my car and take off. All of the worst-case scenarios rush through my head. I try calling Abby, but it goes straight to voicemail.
By the time I reach the hospital, I’m jumping out of my skin with worry. A nurse directs me through the ER and when I reach Hazel’s room, the sight of my little girl lying on that gurney, pale and still, makes bile push up the back of my throat.
“Hazel?” I force my legs forward and take her cold hand in mine.
Relief pours through me when she opens her eyes. “Daddy?” The moment she sees me, she starts to wail. She’s wearing a thick neck brace.
“Honey, don’t move. Let me talk to a doctor. Does your neck hurt?”
“Y-yes.”
Why is she here by herself? “Where’s Abby?”
“The police took her.”
I close my eyes. The little voice in the back of my head that warned me months ago that she shouldn’t be driving Hazel gets louder. “Let me find the doctor, okay? They probably want you to lie still until they can check you out.” I dry her tears. “I’m here now. I promise everything is going to be okay.” It’d better fucking be okay because I don’t know what I’ll do if it’s not.
Her lower lip quivers, but she whispers, “Okay.”
“I love you, Hazel. And I’m so proud of you. You’re doing great.”
Another tear drips down her cheek. “Love you too, Daddy.”
“I’ll be right back. I promise I won’t be gone long, okay?”
My phone keeps buzzing in my pocket, and I finally grab it. There are several messages from Dax. He missed the team lunch for some reason.
Bro, is Abby okay? I think she was in an accident this afternoon.
