Page 76 of Kiss the Girl

ELEVEN

A few days later, Savannah was finishing up with a client when Parker knocked on the treatment room door.

That was never a good sign.

“Take your time, Mrs. Phillips,” she whispered. “Stay in here and relax for as long as you need. I’ll see you out by the front desk.” Bracing herself, she walked out of the room and quietly closed the door. The look on Parker’s face said it all.

“Amy called,” she said solemnly. “They’re taking him by ambulance to the hospital.”

Swallowing hard, she looked around and wasn’t sure what to do first.

“I’ll call your last two clients. Just go.”

“But…”

“Savannah, it’s okay,” Parker said quietly. “Will you be okay to drive or do you need someone to go with you? I can call Jackson or…”

“No,” she said, fighting the urge to cry. “No, I’ll be alright. I…I just need to grab my stuff.” Turning, she walked back to the employee lounge and grabbed her purse from her locker and felt like she was on autopilot. If she allowed herself to think too much about where she was going and why, she’d fall apart.

Just breathe…inhale, exhale, repeat…

When she walked by the reception desk, Parker stood and gave her a fierce hug. “Keep me posted. And if there’s anything you need, do not hesitate to ask, okay?”

She nodded and thanked her, but quickly made her way out the door.

And realized she had no idea what hospital or where it was.

“Dammit.” Walking back into the spa, she looked helplessly at Parker. “I have no idea where I’m going.”

“Gimme your phone.” Once Savannah handed it over, Parker typed an address into the navigation app. “It’s a twenty-minute drive. Be careful.”

“Thank you.” This time when she walked out, she went directly to her car. It wasn’t until she was behind the wheel that she felt like she could breathe.

She knew this day was coming. They’d been talking about it for months. And yet, now that it was here, it felt like it was too soon. It wasn’t time. She wanted more time.

“Don’t think, just go,” she murmured, forcing herself to start the car and start driving.

The entire ride she kept telling herself that she could do this—that she could walk into that hospital and see Cash and be strong. She did it for her dad and she could do this for Cash.

Over and over, she repeated that to herself and by the time she was walking into the hospital, she felt a little more in control of her emotions.

But when the elevator doors slid open on the fourth floor and she saw the look of utter devastation on Austin, Garrett, and Jackson’s faces, her resolve crumbled. These men—these three strong men who had been a source of strength for their father—looked as if the reality of the situation had finally taken its toll.

Amy was sitting with them and she immediately stood and walked over to her. “Hey,” she whispered. “You made it here quickly.”

“What happened?”

“He didn’t want breakfast this morning and by around eleven, he was asleep in his recliner. Considering what an eventful weekend he had, it was normal. But when I tried to wake him at one to see if he wanted lunch, I couldn’t rouse him. I could tell he was getting weaker these last few days and, honestly, he’s been far more robust than anyone expected. I think his body is just tired.”

“So…you think after a couple of days he can come home?” As soon as the words were out, she knew how ridiculous they sounded.

“Savannah, I…”

But she shook her head. “I know. I know…I guess…wishful thinking.”

Amy hugged her. “I’ll stay here with all of you as long as you need me to.”

“Thank you.” Together they walked over to the cluster of chairs and she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do or say or if anyone even really wanted her there. Austin and Garrett nodded at her, but Jackson had his head in his hands, staring at the floor.