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Now they exchange a look.

Mom squeezes my hand. Her fingers are cold as ice against my skin. “He’s . . . very shaken.”

“I guess letting him see me pass out wasn’t my best move,” I say with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood, but neither parent bites.

A pit opens in my stomach. Like, this feels bad. Wrong. Like something rattled Rhett to his core.

“What’s going on?”

Dad scratches his forehead. “It was pretty scary seeing you like that, kid. For all of us.”

Something’s not right, but before I can dig further, Mom says, “Like I said, he was just shaken up.”

“Can I see him?”

“Sure.” Dad says, no hesitation. Well, at least something’s good. He’s not going to keep Rhett from me. Or maybe it’s not me they want to keep him from. Maybe it’s the other way around—they want to keep me from Rhett, like my presence shifted something inside him.

Dad slaps his knee. “I’ll go get him. You coming, Cheryl?”

“Right behind you.”

“Thanks.”

Mom pats my hand. “He’ll be here in just a moment.”

She starts to exit the door, then stops, turns around. “Honey?”

“Yes?”

“Whatever he says, just remember that man loves you.”

My throat swells shut. “Okay,” I squeak out. “I’ll remember. No matter what.”

She turns to go.

“And, Mom?” She pivots back around. I have to fight to get the words out. “I love you and Dad, too.”

“We know, honey. We know.”

Chapter 46

Rhett

I can still hear her wheezing. It’s a strangled choke replaying on a damn loop.

Beside me, Jessie rubs my shoulder, and I drop my head between my knees. My chest has been tight for hours. I can’t relax, can’t shake the feeling that has its fangs in me.

“You’re okay, Rhett.”

Jessie keeps telling me that, but it’s not sinking in. I don’t believe it. I won’t until I know Cristina’s okay.

The room is full, by the way. Pane and Stone are here, along with Rowe and Coco. We’ve all been quiet, keeping to ourselves. I guess that’s what you do when you’re afraid for someone—you sober up, reevaluate.

Pray.

The waiting room door opens, and I snap to attention.

Cristina’s parents walk in and I practically leap out of my chair. “How is she?”