Page 97 of The Music of Us
Were they even listening? Jake glanced over at me, taking in my anxious expression, and moved to stop them.
“Guys,” I tried again. “Don’t throw that yet, you need to—”
But I was too late.
So was Jake.
In the middle of wrestling, the ball flew loose, ricocheting off the table so hard that it flew up into the air again—and right under the passing crew member’s foot.
The crew member lost his balance, careening dangerously close to where Amber had gathered the cats. Horrified, I watched as the towering metal lights in his arms became too hard to control and began tipping out of his grasp.
Fearful, the cats below fled.
Except for one.
Bunny was still in the light’s path. Eyes wide with fright, she shakily hopped, desperately trying to get off her bed and out of the way. But her three remaining paws sunk too deep into theplush pillow, and in her distress, she moved jerkily, stumbling and tipping over.
She wasn’t going to get out of the way in time.
It’d be worse than how she’d been hurt before she came here.
That couldn’t happen.
My thoughts were spinning and frantic, like a DJ’s record scratch jumbling up the tracks. Without hesitating, I took off, flying across the tile, and flinging myself in between the light and Bunny. I spun my back toward the falling metal, scooping Bunny up and holding her protectively against my chest. My muscles tightened and my eyes squeezed shut as I waited for the metal to hit me.
But it didn’t.
A second passed. Then two. Shouldn’t the light have fallen on me by now?
Cautiously, I uncurled, turning to see what happened.
Jake stood behind me, back against mine, his arms out in front of him, holding up the lights.
My heart thudded.
While I dived in front of Bunny to keep her safe, Jake must have followed at my heels and thrown himself in front of the lights to protectme. But how did he catch the lights like that? They were so heavy and coming down so fast; wouldn’t they have hurt him?
“Jake?” I questioned, reaching out to touch his arm. “Are you—”
Jake let out a hiss of pain, interrupting—and unintentionally answering—my question. He let the lights clatter to the floor.
Then he let out a shaky breath and gripped his left wrist.
Chapter Twenty-Four
There’s no guide for if the stars don’t align
When you reach the end of time
And you’re not by my side
—US Lyric Bot [@HourlyUS]
Hospital waiting rooms were the worst. The sickly white glare of the lighting. The cold, speckled industrial tile. The hard, uncomfortable chairs.
The feeling of being on edge as you waited for answers.
How could I be back in this horribly familiar place so soon? I’d just been here with Mom, and now here I was again, having it all crash down for a second time while I could do nothing but chew my stick of gum and worry about someone else I cared about.
