Page 73 of Caught in Us
Eddie: We need you, sis. Please. Call us back.
Simon: I have Matthew. We’re at the house.
Simon: Call your brothers ASAP.
With my heart in my throat, I tap on Ricky’s number. It goes straight to voicemail. Nerves rattle my chest and my gut churns with anxiety. I call Eddie next but his does the same. Where the hell are they? After all these texts, I expect someone to pick up. I try them again before giving up to call Simon.
The ringing passes painfully slowly. Dread begins to build. Something is terribly wrong. “Pick up, damn it. Pick up,” I mutter to myself, but he doesn’t. Tears fill my eyes as frustration builds. I blink them away, forcing myself to exhale so I don’t pass out.
The line connects to his voicemail. “Hello, this is Simon. Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you soon. Cheers!” His cheerful voice is in complete contrast to my emotions.
“Simon,” I say after the beep. “Please call me and tell me what’s going on.” Deep down in my gut I know whatever it is must be bad. “I didn’t hear my phone but I’m up now. Call me.” I end the call, but before I can decide what to do next it rings in my hands. It’s him. “Simon!”
“Hey, sorry, I was getting Matthew dressed.” He sounds out of breath.
“What’s going on?”
“You aren’t with your brothers yet?” The alarm in his tone sends my pulse racing.
I press a hand to my chest. “Simon, you’re scaring me.”
“Everyone is at the hospital.”
Chase wanders out of his bedroom, his brow knit with concern as his gaze finds mine.
“Alicia, it’s your father,” Simon says.
No. “What happened?” Panic sends my thoughts in overdrive. I meant to stop by Daddy’s room yesterday, but I didn’t. He was fine two days ago.
“His nurse called an ambulance earlier this morning. I’m sorry, I don’t know the specifics. Eddie came to get your mom soon after. Alicia, you need to call your brothers.”
“They won’t pick up.” I can’t believe I missed their calls and texts. “Which hospital?”
“I wrote it down. One second.” There’s a shuffle and then nothing but long, dragging seconds while I wait for him to return. “Matthew. Don’t touch that, buddy.” Rustling scatters static through the line.
Matthew babbles, but he’s too far away from the phone to make out his words. The ache in my chest grows with the urge to hold my son, to soothe my fears and seek reassurance. But I can’t because I’m here. At Chase’s home instead of where I should be. God, I’m a selfish, horrible person.
“Alicia?” Simon interrupts.
“Yes.”
“They’re at Mercy. I don’t know what floor or room.”
“Okay.” My entire body shakes. My chest feels tight.
“Keep me posted. Okay?”
I think I might throw up. “Okay.”
“I’ve got Matthew and we’re fine here. Don’t worry about us. Just go be with your family.”
“Okay.” I barely get the word out before a sob breaks free. The phone falls from my hand, clattering as it tumbles to the floor.
“Alicia.” Chase rushes to my side. His arms wrap around my shoulders, but they’re suffocating.
I push at his chest. “I have to go.” I scoot back, needing space. Unable to think. “I have to . . .” God, I don’t even know. “Fuck. I need a car. I need to—”
“Alicia.” Chase drops to his knees, his eyes finding mine. “Breathe, baby.” He inhales and exhales audibly until I join him. “What’s going on?”
