Risky Rockstar: A Hero Club Novel, стр. 50

“I’d love to. Maybe this time I’ll get to eat it before it melts.”

“Hayley!” I look up to see Sam rushing over to me. She’s often in a rush, but there’s something about the look on her face that has me holding my breath.

“Is everything okay?”

She shakes her head. “Bridget just called. Amy was taken to the ER. She’s having a little trouble breathing and is spiking a fever. They ran a few tests, and her white blood count is high…” She hesitates, and I feel my blood run cold. “They want to do a bone marrow biopsy in the morning.”

The blood drains from my face. This can’t be happening. This isn’t happening.

“I’ve chartered you a private jet back to Providence. I have a car waiting to take you to the airport. I need to stay and wrap this up, so I can’t come with you.”

I nod. “Of course. Thank you.”

I feel like I’m running underwater as I head to the stairs, tears slipping down my face.

“Hayley, wait!” Kade tugs my hand gently, concern evident on his face. “You can’t go alone.”

I frown, feeling like my whole body is shaking. “I’ll be fine. It’s only for the flight.”

“Let me come with you,” Kade pleads, rubbing the tears from my face with his thumb. “I’d like to. Really.”

Is it selfish of me that I really want him to? God, I can’t even think straight right now. My mind feels like it’s full of bees. “You don’t have to do that, really.”

“I know, but if it isn’t an imposition, I want to.”

I really want him to. I don’t want to be alone on a flight for nearly five hours with only my thoughts to keep me company. That’s dangerous right now. “Are you sure?”

“Never been more sure of anything in my life.”

“Amy’s going to flip when she sees you. She’s a massive fan.” I smile sadly when I think about what my niece is going to have to go through over the next few days. “I think she’s a bigger fan of your music than mine.”

Kade smiles back at me.

“Hayley, you should go,” Sam says.

“Yeah, of course.”

“I’ll have someone fetch your car in the morning.”

I nod. “Thank you.”

We head to the greenroom so I can collect my things and change. Kevin walks up to us, a wide smile spread across his features, and I don’t miss his eyes flicking briefly to my hand in Kade’s, but as soon as he sees I’ve been crying, his brow furrows with concern. “Hayley? What’s wrong?”

I shake my head, desperately trying to swallow the lump in my throat. “It’s Amy—she’s at the hospital. They…they think the leukemia is back.”

Kevin’s face fills with regret, and he rakes a hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?”

“No, but thank you.” My voice catches. “I’m flying out. I’ll let you know what the situation is when I get there.” I reach for his hand with my free one. “Kevin, it was so good to see you. Thank you for covering the costs of the show.”

His fingers squeeze mine, and he looks sheepish. “Well, it’s the least I could do. I’ll call you later.”

I change, and Kade lets the band know he’s coming with me before we head to the car. He puts his arm around my shoulders, and his touch comforts me. I’m emotionally exhausted from running through the worst-case scenarios. Thankfully, he seems to understand why I’m not so chatty and regales me with stories about the early days of the band. It’s just what I need right now, and I’m so grateful he is here with me.

The almost five-hour flight from LA to Rhode Island feels like a lifetime. When the elevator doors open to the surgical ward and I see my family huddled together, I burst into a fresh bout of tears. Those tears flow harder when I see my best friend sitting in the chair, rubbing her swollen belly while she smiles sadly at me. I’m overcome with gratitude for the support I have. It’s been a long day, and I know Bridget must be exhausted. Especially since I know she isn’t sleeping well with being in her third trimester.

After hugging the life out of my family, I introduce them all to Kade. My parents are holding it together as best they can, both fighting back tears so they can be strong for my brother. My sister-in-law Lisa’s eyes are red-rimmed, but she’s as beautiful as always with her blonde hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. I think she feels more in control if she’s put together. Andrew is looking a little worse for wear; it’s clear he’s been running his hands through his hair continuously, and tears stream down his face into his neatly trimmed beard.

Kade looks at my brother. “I’m sorry to hear about your daughter. I hope this isn’t an intrusion?”

Andrew wipes his tears with a tissue. “Not at all. Amy’s a huge fan. This will be an excellent distraction for her.”

A look passes between my brother and Lisa, and pain twists in my gut. This is so unfair. So damn unfair. They’ve been through this before, suffered the agony of watching their child battle a grueling disease. I can’t begin to imagine how they are feeling if I am feeling so sickened by this.

I feel Bridget’s hand rub gently across my back and turn to hug my friend. “Thank you for calling me,” I whisper. I know they wouldn’t have. They wouldn’t’ve wanted me to worry. “How is she?”

“She’s asleep now but asked me to promise to wake her when you arrived. You want to see her?”

“Absolutely.” I hold out a hand to Kade. “Will you come in with me?”

He doesn’t hesitate to place his hand in mine. “You couldn’t keep me away.”

Bridget can hardly contain her smile as she leads us to Amy’s room. I shoot her a look, telling her with the silent universal language