Page 111 of Pretty Little Scars

This isn’t good. He’s not moving, but they’re talking to him, so I take that as a good sign that he’s conscious.

My phone pings, and when I look down, I see Zack’s name. He went back to LA this morning.

Z:Don’t freak out. He’ll be okay.

Yeah, my best friend knows me.

Me:It doesn’t look good right now. Also, Harper’s having the baby as I type this. C-section. That’s all I know.

The three dots bounce.

Z:Shit. Okay, they’re both okay. I shouldn’t have come back to LA so soon.

Me:I’ll keep you posted. If your mom needs anything, just call me.

“They’re getting him up,” Darby says quietly, and I turn my attention back to the TV.

Xander’s on his feet, but he’s not skating under his own power, and one foot is raised, as if his leg is hurt. He waves at the crowd, who are all on their feet applauding, andfuckI wish I knew how bad it is.

My sister is being cut open right now, and my brother is hurt, and there isn’t anything I can do to help either of them.

Darby’s hand rubs up and down my spine, but it doesn’t take away the frustration that moves through me.

A nurse comes through the doors, and she’s smiling, so that makes some of the tension leave my shoulders.

“Dr. Blackwell didn’t want to leave Harper, so he asked me to come update you. Both mama and baby are perfectly healthy. We’re getting Harper settled, and as soon as they’re all back in the room, they can start having visitors. Let’s start with just two at a time for tonight, okay?”

“Thank you,” Dad says.

“It’s my pleasure. They want to tell you all of the fun things themselves, but as you know, it’s a girl. And she’s just beautiful.”

She smiles at all of us again and then leaves.

I can feel Darby’s eyes on me, and when I glance down at her, I see the worry there.

“I’m fine, sweetheart.”

Her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t argue. She might be the only person here who sees through the calm exterior to the torment going in inside me.

In the short time we’ve been together, she’s come to know me better than anyone.

CHAPTER THIRTY

DARBY

He’s notfine.

Tucker may look like his calm, laid-back self, but I can feel the tension in the lines of his body, and I can see the worry in the tightness of his face. He’s the oldest brother. He’s worried about Harper and Xander, and I totally get that. I don’t want him to feel like he can’t show his emotions to me, and yet I understand needing to be stoic for everyone else.

I kiss the back of his hand and then step into his side, wrap my arm around his waist, and feel his arm come around me, holding me to him.

I know without a doubt that he won’t leave this hospital until he’s seen Harper and the baby, so we wait with the others until Blake finally comes out with a tired smile.

“Isabelle Ava Blackwell is finally here,” he says, and Ava clasps her hand over her mouth in surprise, making a tiny squeak as her eyes fill with tears. “She’s tiny, at just under six pounds and seventeen inches long, but she has one hell of a set of lungs on her and completely owns me.”

“Aww,” I murmur and feel tears stream down my cheeks. “You’re the sweetest, Blake Blackwell.”

He winks at me and then looks at Tucker. “She’s asking for you first.”