One of Them Girls by Cala Riley (the gingerbread man read aloud txt) 📕

behind me, but I can’t acknowledge anyone.

“Come here.”

Before I know it, I’m in Jack’s arms as I sob into his chest. I stand there, letting the raw emotions pour from my body until I’m weak.

“Let’s get you home,” Jack murmurs.

I let him lead me out of the hospital, away from the memories.

Away from Xavier.

Xavier

My phone rings as I slide into my car.

“Hey, give me a sec to connect the Bluetooth.”

“Sure.”

I start my car and wait for the Bluetooth to connect. “Alright. What’s up?” I ask as I slide my phone into the holder on the dash, making sure the camera can see me.

“Just checking in,” Tinsley says, making me sigh.

“I’m fine,” I say as I pull out of the parking lot.

“Yeah, but your single.” She pouts.

“Isn’t the first time, won’t be the last,” I tease as I drive. “Now tell me something good.”

Tinsley fills me in on what’s new with her and her family.

“Sage bought home a puppy the other day and let’s just say that Reed isn’t too thrilled.”

“Oh? Why not?” I smirk as I pull up to the stoplight.

Tinsley giggles, making me smile. “The dog may or may not have an obsession with eating all of Reed’s left shoes. Doesn’t matter if it’s a dress shoe or one of his chucks, it’s always a left one.”

“So he only has right shoes?” I laugh.

“Yep. It doesn’t even matter if he puts them up. Somehow the little sucker gets them. Sage thinks it’s hilarious.”

The light turns green and I go. “Because it is.”

Right as I pull into the intersection, I see a flash out of the corner of my eye. I turn my head and see it right before it happens. First, I feel the impact, then another, mixed with the screeching of metal and Tinsley’s screams.

“Oh, fuck! Reed, get the plane!” a male voice says over the speaker right as everything goes black.

I groan, trying to turn over, but find something stopping me.

“Hey, it’s okay. Don’t move too much.”

My eyes flutter open. “What?” I attempt to say, but my throat is dry.

“Hold on. The nurse said I could give you some water if you woke up.”

My eyes take in the room, coming to land on the face for the voice. After she brings the straw to my mouth and I’m able to wet my throat, I speak again.

“What are you doing here, Tins? What happened?”

Her eyes are sad. “We were on the phone when you got into a car accident. We got on the first plane here.”

“We?”

She laughs. “Finley, Sage, and Reed.”

I go to laugh, but wince at the pain.

Fuck, my head hurts.

“How bad am I hurt?”

“You fractured your arm. I’m afraid you’ll set off metal detectors for the rest of your life. Other than that, just some scrapes and bruises.”

“No wonder I feel like I got hit by a truck.”

Her eyes widen at my phrase, but I chuckle then wince again.

“Don’t joke like that. I thought we were going to lose you.”

“Nah, you can’t get rid of my man that easily,” an unfamiliar voice says from the door.

I smile when I see Jack, holding the biggest teddy bear in his arms, comes waltzing in the door.

“Here you go, boo. The lady downstairs in the gift shop assured me this is the best gift to show you want the person you care about to get better.”

“Don’t make me laugh, asshole. It hurts.”

He smiles widely at me. “Oh come on. You complaining about a fractured arm? You pussy.”

I know he’s joking, using his humor to hide his concern. I can see it on his face. He was worried.

“I know, right? Looks like no video games for me for a while.”

He laughs. “That’s okay. I’ll just play with Ace.”

My heart twinges in pain.

Cassi.

“Who’s Ace?” Tinsley asks.

Jack’s face sobers. “Cassi.”

“Oh.” Tinsley turns to me. “She was here, you know.”

My heart stutters. “What?”

“Yeah. She was here, but when she got to the room, she took off.”

My heart aches for her. I bet she hasn’t even been to a hospital since Ryan. My body aches to reach out to her.

Ignoring Tinsley, I turn to Jack. “Is she okay? You should be with her right now.”

He gives me a sad look. “She’s okay. She was a little shook seeing you like this, but I took her home. Rebecca stayed with her. She said she’d keep me updated.”

“I’m fine. I need you to go watch over her. She needs someone.”

He walks over to the bed. “She has someone. She has Rebecca. Rebecca said she was planning to head home for the break on Friday, anyway. I’ll go check on her until then, but then she’ll be with her parents.”

“Go take her dinner. Please, man. I know you’re concerned, but Tinsley is here with me. She needs you more.”

He sighs. “You really love her, don’t you?”

Swallowing hard, I nod, not caring about the pain.

“Fuck. Fine. I’ll go check on her, but when you’re discharged, I’m taking your ass home. No question.”

“Deal.”

I watch as he heads back out, bringing my attention back to Tinsley.

“Is she going to be okay? I didn’t understand why she left, but you make it sound like it’s a big deal.”

I sigh. “It’s not my story to tell, Tin. Hospitals hold bad memories for her. I’m surprised she was even able to walk in. It’s killing me I can’t be with her right now. If she’d even want me with her.”

She gives me a sad smile. “I think she wants you more than you realize. I think she’s battling her own demons right now, though. Give her time. She’ll come back around.”

“I’ll give her all the time she needs.” Changing the subject, I clear my throat. “So what does it take to get some more water?”

She shakes her head, laughing. “Why are men such babies when they get sick or hurt? Finley acts like he’s dying when he gets a cold.”

“Hey, I got hit by a truck.”

She sighs. “Yeah. Yeah. That was so five minutes ago.”

I shake my head. “To