Page 156 of Cheap Shot

“Okay,” Harper said in a small voice and the medic carefully peeled back the top of Harper’s pajamas, just enough that Sebastian could see a blotchy pinkish red spot on her chest around her pacemaker incision.

Shit.

The medic nodded like it was what she’d expected. “Looks like it could be rejection,” she said under her breath. “Let’s get her hooked up to the monitor.”

“Fuck,” Sebastian muttered.

Luke’s arm closed tightly around him and he sagged against him, grateful for the support.

“Hey, she’s in good hands,” Luke said quietly.

“I know. I just …” Sebastian’s voice trailed off as they watched the medics attach electrodes to Harper’s chest, still explaining to her what they were doing the whole time.

When they were done hooking up the monitor, the female medic looked at Sebastian. “You’re her uncle?”

“Yeah.”

“You can ride with us. Sorry, there’s only room for one.” She gave Luke an apologetic look. “I’m afraid your partner will have to drive separately.”

“That’s fine.” Luke squeezed Sebastian tightly. “What hospital?”

After Sebastian made sure Luke knew where to go, he followed the paramedics as they loaded Harper into the ambulance. She looked so fucking small on the gurney.

“Uncle Sebby?” she asked, clearly afraid.

“Yeah, I’m right here,” he said thickly, reaching out to take her hand and stay out of the medic’s way as she put an oxygen mask on and started an IV.

“I want Mommy,” Harper whimpered, her voice muffled through the mask.

“I know, sweetie,” he said, his fingers trembling as he dug his phone out of his pocket. “I’m calling her right now.”

Sebastian’s stomach knotted as he waited for Brie to pick up.

She was laughing as she answered. “What is it, Seb? Did you forget where I store the extra toilet paper again?”

“I’m in an ambulance on the way to the hospital with Harper,” he said tightly. “She passed out and they think it’s possible she’s rejecting her pacemaker.”

“Fuck!” Brie swore. “Fuck, is she—is she okay?”

“She’s a little woozy but conscious.”

The medic looked up. “That’s her mom?”

“Yeah,” Sebastian said.

“Tell her that Harper is stable with an irregular heartbeat. She’s conscious and responding to questions. Right now, we’re just giving her oxygen, fluids, and monitoring her heart.”

Sebastian repeated that.

Brie let out a muffled little sob. “I should be there with her.”

In the background, Sebastian heard a woman say something, too quiet for him to hear.

“I’m here until you can be,” Sebastian assured his sister. “We’re on our way to the children’s hospital ER. You can meet us there. Are you good to drive?”

Brie sniffled. “I—I took a rideshare to the bar because I planned to have a drink or two. Krista is—is calling another ride and coming with me now.”

“Good,” Sebastian said. “One sec, Brie.”