Donovan chuckles a little. “Ah, yes, I was worried you’d turn me down. I’ve been keeping tabs on you, if you will, for a while now. When I saw that we’d be competing tonight, I knew it was my chance to catch up.”
“Keeping tabs?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes, to say that I regret how we left things would be an understatement.”
I shove my hands into my coat pockets. “Best to leave the past in the past. It’s been years, and we’ve both moved on. It was for the best.”
Donovan doesn’t say anything, just side-eyes me. He always had such pretty eyes. I’d mulled over them for hours in high school. Now all I want to see are those blue eyes I’ve come to adore staring back at me.
“Are you seeing anyone?” he asks after a moment of silence.
“Yes.”
“Is it serious?”
“It’s…” my words cut off when my phone rings in my pocket. “I apologize. I have to get this.”
Aunt Del’s name flashes across the screen, and I debate taking the call. I’m out with Donovan, and I know he’s been looking forward to catching up with me, but then I decide that I’d better answer.
She’d called to wish me luck at the tournament earlier and now probably just wants to follow up on how we did. The fact that since meeting me, she’s kept in touch has changed something inside of me. She’s offered me more parental love and affection in the past month than my parents have my entire life.
I hold on to it.
Clutch it with rigid fingers.
I’m not letting it go.
I swipe at her name. “Hi, Aunt Del.”
“Whit,” she says, her voice soft, concerned. “How was your tournament. Did you do well?”
“Yeah, we did.”
“Well done, sweet pea.” She pauses and says, “I just wanted to let you know that Caleb is in the hospital.”
My entire body freezes, and I stop walking. I can’t hear her words over the rush in my ears.
“Why?” I breathe out.
“There was an accident….”
“Is he okay?” I cut her off. I can’t breathe. Fuck. I lean against a nearby wall feeling lightheaded. Donovan is in my line of sight, his eyes concerned.
I allow him to touch me, to keep me grounded as Aunt Del says, “It’s nothing too serious. A concussion, a broken hand, a lot of scrapes and bruises. I just wanted to let you know….”
“I’m coming,” I say. “Send me the address.”
“Oh no, Whit, I didn’t mean for you to drop everything and head out here. Caleb mentioned how important this night was for you. That you’re meeting up with some old friends. I just wanted to let you know….”
“I’m coming,” I say and then add, “Address now, please.”
Then I hang up, my hands shaking so brutally I almost drop my phone.
“You okay?” Donovan asks, his hands rubbing my arms. It feels wrong, him touching me, so I shrug him off.
“I need to go. My…Caleb. He’s in the hospital.”
Donovan’s mouth opens and then closes. “Okay, let’s get you back then.”