“Hey.” I pull back and cup her face in both hands. “It’s going to be okay. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“But, Fitz, why were they trying to reach you for information? Why wouldn’t they try Kevin? That’s probably who she was with.”

I realize suddenly I never told her everything. She has no idea I’ve been hiding the truth from my parents. But there’s no time.

“It’s a long story. I promise to explain everything later.” I let her go and I’m already rushing, pulling on dry pants, yanking a T-shirt on. I don’t know what to think or feel right now. Was this my fault? Would this have happened if I had answered her calls? “I’ll call you when I get there and find out what’s going on.”

She nods and I give her one quick, gentle kiss, first on the crease between her eyes and then a longer, more lingering one on her lips before leaving the bathroom.

I weave my way quickly through the busy house and out front, where Annabel’s parked her car.

We’re both silent, driving through the darkened, mostly empty streets of Blue Falls, toward the hospital. What if this time, the one time I didn’t respond, Abby actually hurt herself? It would be all my fault. But that can’t be it. She was going to get help. It’s probably exactly what it sounds like—a simple car accident. Accident. Even the word implies no one’s at fault.

It isn’t until we’re halfway there that Annabel speaks.

“What are you going to tell all the parents? They don’t know you aren’t together. Does Reese know they don’t know?”

Guilt, already a razor-sharp companion, stabs through me, pricking at my skin like an aggravated porcupine. I should have told them a long time ago. All this protecting of Abby hasn’t done her any favors. And I should have told Reese the whole story. I will, though, as soon as I can.

But first things first.

“I can’t tell them yet.” Not if what I suspect about this car accident is true, but I shove that thought away.

She sighs. “You have to tell them.”

“I will tell them, eventually. Just not yet. What am I supposed to say? ‘Hey, sorry your daughter nearly died and is in critical condition. By the way, we’ve been over for months and oh yeah she’s been lying to you’?”

“I know it won’t be a June picnic but don’t you think it’s going to be worse if you keep it a secret and it comes out later?”

“No. I don’t.”

We get to the hospital and Annabel and I head to the emergency department.

The waiting room is mostly empty. An older man is being interviewed at a counter, and over in the corner, a young woman weeps quietly while another holds her hand.

Momma stands off to the side. She’s alone.

She hugs us both.

“What happened?” I ask.

Before she can answer, the door to the emergency department swings open and Abby’s parents emerge.