“Ellie, Gramps had a heart attack. Jack is with him now, and they’re in an ambulance on their way to Fredericksburg as we speak. ”
Ellie’s whole body went limp, but Josh was standing there, and he grabbed her before she could fall.
Josh looked at Jessie and me. “Girls, I need you to take Ellie inside. ”
Ellie was crying hysterically now. Jessie, Sharon, and I all wrapped our arms around Ellie, and we led her into the house.
When I turned, I saw Josh talking to Grace. He started to walk toward Gunner with Grace following behind him.
After we got Ellie into the house, we sat her down on the sofa. When I looked out the window, Josh was talking to Gunner while Grace was standing next to him. Jeff put his hand on Gunner’s shoulder right before Gunner fell to the ground.
He buried his head in his hands as he started crying out, “No,” over and over again.
I put my hand up to my mouth and shook my head.
Oh, God, please no. Don’t take Garrett away from us. Please.
Epilogue
Fours Hours Later…
I’d been trying to call Scott for three hours. I still wasn’t sure if he knew about Gramps. When I finally got a text from him I let a sigh of relief.
Scott: I’m home. Just meet me at the house.
I was surprised that his text actually seemed coherent.
When I’d told him I was going to the hospital, he was so drunk that he could hardly talk. Scott’s brother, Bryce, had been standing there with the girl he’d been hanging on all afternoon. Bryce had assured me he would get Scott home, so I’d decided to head out with Heather and Ari.
When I pulled up to Scott’s house, my heart started pounding in my chest. There was a BMW in the driveway.
Is that Chelsea’s car? Oh god, please be Bryce’s car. Please.
As I glanced over toward the garage, I saw Scott’s truck.
Fuck. I hope he didn’t drive home when he was drunk.
I walked up the steps and put my hand on the doorknob. Why do I have the sickest feeling in my stomach? I turned the knob and stepped inside. I started to make my way upstairs. I could just barely overhear someone talking. The voice was coming from Scott’s bedroom.
No. Please don’t do this to me.
As I walked down the hallway, I heard a girl moaning out in pleasure. Reaching for the bedroom doorknob, I slowly turned it as I pushed it open. I took one look inside, and I saw a girl riding someone fast and hard.
No…oh god, Scott, no.
“Oh my god,” I said.
Chelsea turned around and smiled as her eyes caught mine. “Oh, hey there, Jess! You weren’t around, so I filled in for you. ”
“You fucking bitch!” I shouted before I slammed the door shut.
I heard a male voice call out after me, but I just ran as fast as I could.
I need to get out of this house right now.
I ran out to my car. I jumped in, started it, and sped away. I began crying so hard that I could hardly see enough to drive.
After wiping away my tears, I slammed my hand on the steering wheel as I cried out, “How? How could I be so stupid? Why, God, why? Why would you do this to me again?”