Page 89 of Austin

How can it take this long?

Why aren’t they saying anything to us?

It’s not until the door opens, and Edward and Missy Sexton enter that I feel like the whole universe has shifted. I glance at Gregg, whose eyes are as big as mine.

Edward sees us and struts right up. “You can write a five-million-dollar check, but God forbid someone actually tells you what’s going on with your son in this damn hospital!”

I’m taken aback when I see his demeanor. His thick head of salt-and-pepper hair looks like his hands have been running through it, and his bent shirt collar looks like it was tugged on in a rush. He’s worried, scared almost. This is not the same man I met a few nights ago.

Gregg’s expression proves he’s thinking the same thing I am.

“He’s in surgery for an internal brain bleed. We don’t know anything else yet,” Gregg addresses Edward from his seat. “How did you know he was here?”

“The public relations department. Thankfully, someone was smart enough to think to call his”—he turns to Missy, narrowing his eyes at her—“father. Has anyone called Bryce or Tanner?”

“Gregg called Bryce. He’s the one who said to come here.” My voice turns sheepish as Missy lays her eyes on me.

“What happened?” Edward asks.

“I can tell you exactly what happened.” Missy steps forward, rolling her head like she knows all the facts. “He was racing and crashed.” Her tone makes me want to rip her eyes out and yank her hair to the ground.

Gregg feels my tension rise and places his hand over mine, gripping it. “He fell down a flight of stairs.”

“Where’s the car?” Missy asks loudly.

“In his garage and without a scratch on it,” he grits through his teeth.

“But, obviously, this has to do with racing. Edward, don’t you see? This is it. If we can prove he was at the race tonight—”

“That’s enough!” Edward demands, making us all jump slightly. “My son is in surgery. We don’t know if he’s alive or dead, and you want to talk about a race? Sit down and keep your mouth shut. All that matters right now is Austin.” He turns back to Gregg and me, both of us stunned to silence.

My mind is spinning faster than the Gravitron at a carnival. So many things are running through my head—from Edward’s words to that look he gave Missy and Austin’s crash. It’s all too much.

Edward reaches for his phone from his coat pocket and steps away from us.

The silence around us is killing me. Missy looks more annoyed than anything as she loudly flips pages of a magazine, shaking her leg and snapping her gum.

Gregg’s been texting on his phone with so many people.

I can’t keep anything straight. All I know is, I’m losing my mind with each second that ticks off the clock, which sounds like a metal drum rather than a silent click, taunting me with every movement.

I inhale a deep breath, trying to calm the queasiness from my stomach and tightness in my chest. Dropping my head back, I fight the tears that come even though I thought I had no more to cry.

A girl’s voice at the nurses’ station startles me, and when I open my eyes, I see Edward arguing with the attendant.

“This is ridiculous. Why haven’t we heard anything yet?”

“Sir, I’m sorry. The doctors will come out as soon as they have an update.”

Another hour goes by before a doctor enters the room and approaches Edward.

After all the awful things I’ve heard Austin say about his father, right now, none of that matters. In this moment, all of their history, their fights, their stubbornness flies out the window. Standing in front of me is a dad who is scared shitless to hear the fate of his middle son.

“Mr. Sexton,” the doctor says, reaching out his hand to him.

“How is he?” Edward chokes out.

“He has some brain swelling, but we were able to stop the bleed. He’s not completely out of the woods, but I suspect he’s going to be just fine.”