Page 71 of Crashing Into You

“Just need to call Mum,” I say, stepping outside for a moment. In the hallway I lean against the door. I’m not leaving her alone, not for a moment.

Not until I know everything is all right.

Mum’s phone rings a couple of times, then she picks up. “Bryce? Are you all right? How’s the party?”

“I’m not at the party.”

“You’re not?”

I explain what happened. Mum is silent for a moment.

“You love this girl, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I do.”

Mum gasps, sounding as though she’s about to cry. “Oh, Bryce. I just never thought it would happen for you,” she cries. “Bring her to see me as soon as you can, will you? I can’t wait to meet her.”

“Yeah. I’ll bring her down as soon as she’s recovered. How’s Mil?”

“She’s going back to rehab. Marco has been detained for dealing. He was selling from her apartment, if you can believe it?”

I can believe it.

“What are you going to do?”

“I think maybe it’s time to sell the flat,” she says. “Millie can stay at home until she’s back on track, and then I don’t know. Maybe you can both have a share of the money to get your own places.”

“I don’t need the money, Mum. Give it to Millie.”

“Are you sure? It’s there, if you need it.”

“I already have everything I need.” As I say the words a feeling of rightness spreads through me, a warmth that starts at my heart. I do have everything I need, finally.

“I have to go, Mum. Claire needs me.”

“All right, love. I’ll see you soon.”

“Love you, Mum.”

“Love you, too.”

I hang up and head back into Claire’s room. She has a bit more colour in her cheeks, and is sitting on the side of the gurney, her legs dangling, the nurse supporting her.

“She’s fine to go home,” the nurse says. “But she might need a bit of help walking. I can get you a chair if you like?”

“No need.” I head over to Claire and pick her up, one arm under her legs, the other around her, cradling her to my chest. “I can take it from here.”

Claire’s arms come around my neck, her head resting on my shoulder.

“Let’s go home.”

ChapterThirty-Two

Claire

Iwake up feeling as though my head is being hit by several large hammers at once.

“Ooh.” I wince against the bright sunshine streaming through the blinds. I’m going to replace them with the heaviest blackout curtains I can find. If only I can get out of bed.