Page 45 of Rumor Has It

“Mrs. Hatcher is on line one.” The hair on my neck prickles.

I jerk the receiver up without thanking Tina. “Mom?”

“Boone"—her voice trembles—“it’s your father.” She begins to softly weep. “He’s had a heart attack.”

“How is he?” I spring from my seat, clearing my desk.

“He’s critical. I need you.” She’s full-on crying now, and I’m helpless.

“I’m on the next flight.” Grabbing my cell, I text Tina for a flight. “I’m sorry, Mom. I love you. Please let him know I love him.”

She muffles her sobs. “Please hurry, sweetie.”

“I will. I promise.” I wait for her to end the call before I lose my shit. “Tina!”

She rushes through the door. “Six o’clock, Flight 151, Gate 2. Derick’s waiting.”

“Thank you.” I run over, jerking my bag from the chair. “I’ll call.” I turn to the doors and stop. “Tina?”

“Yes, sir?” Her eyes drowning in unshed tears.

“I’m sorry.” I hesitate, choking back my emotions. “I know, I’ll tell them.”

She rushes over, wrapping her arms around me. “Please be careful. We love you too.”

“Of course.” I pat her back, releasing her to make a run for the elevator.

I squeeze through the doors before they open completely, panic setting in. The staff here have been with my family since my dad started this business before I was born. They’ve been a blessing for me.

Derick stands ready as I hit the doors in a full-on run. “I need clothes.”

“Don’t worry, sir. I’ve got you.” He shuts the door, jogging around to the front of the car.

I’m lost as I send one text after the other, trying to clear my schedule and prepare for a stay at my parents’ home. Derick pulls up to my place in record time. I take the steps two at a time, making mental notes of what I need to pack as I go.

Once inside, I’m up the stairs and in my closet in a matter of minutes. Opening the suitcase, I leave it on the floor, tossing my clothes in at random. I run around to the bathroom, throwing my personal items in a small bag.

“What am I forgetting?” I catch my reflection in the mirror, dispelling all of my current thoughts. “She’s not there; it’s going to be okay.”

Spinning on my heels, I stuff my bag and zip it closed. Running back out the door within fifteen minutes, I’m on my way to the airport. I barely make it through baggage check when my flight is called.

The seven hour flight does nothing for my already ill disposition. I’m as off-putting as Gargoyle. I sit in my first-class seat with a low-class attitude, simmering in all my feelings from seeing Thorton.

“I have to shake this shit before I get home, and getting hammered isn’t an option,” I grumble as I surf the Internet, looking for nothing but trouble.

I like to say it’s an old habit, but doing it every day doesn’t necessarily qualify it. I check the seat across from me, looking to see if anyone’s watching me. I click the link, waiting for it to pop up.

Once it stops spinning, I search her name, hitting the icon to be front and center to her world. “Come on, girl, show me something good.”

Why I’m putting myself through this, I have no clue if I’ll even find out about them. Maisyn never has said anything about her or anyone else. I close the app, more agitated than when I started. If only it was because I’m afraid of seeing her, but I do that every night in my dreams.

“Fuck it.” I call the stewardess and order a drink. Swearing it’s for my nerves, a lie I use often.

Forty-five minutes after landing, I’m running through Grand Strand Medical Center to the CCU. I burst through the doors to find my mom waiting for me. I rush her, wrapping her in my arms.

“I’m so sorry it took me so long, Mom.” I kiss her head, holding her as she cries, fisting my shirt. I repeat my words until she’s calm enough to talk to me.

“Let’s get you back there to see him.” She rubs my back, when I tuck her into my side.