Page 144 of Crash Course

“Come on, Shay,” I whisper. “Through the fucking fire.”

49

Shay

My skin and my lungs burn.

I’m on something hard and bumpy. If this is a bed, it’s the worst mattress in the world.

“Bree,” I manage, but my lungs are weak. All I can think about is my friend, the one I’m responsible for, who was beside me tonight. Bree, whose brave voice trembled when she realized I couldn’t stop the car.

When the answer comes, it’s not Bree speaking.

“She’s okay.”

And so am I because Jameson Ashford is holding me. It’s his voice in my ear.

I must have hit my head. It hurts, but more than that, he’s saying the most beautiful, un-Jameson things. The pain is overwhelming but I’m straining to make out the words.

Then, he’s gone and I’m being put on a stretcher.

No, I try to say, but my throat won’t work.

There are more words but they’re not the ones I want. I don’t recognize the voices now, issuing calm commands like “breathe” and “don’t move.”

“Jameson.” I croak it.

His hand finds mine and relief has my muscles sagging again.

Paramedics are carrying me but he’s right there every step.

He’s supposed to be driving.

Confusion fills my mind. There was a big race. One that mattered.

They tell me they’re putting me in the ambulance. My fingers tighten on Jameson’s. “Come with me.”

I’m straining to hear his answer right up until everything goes black.

50

Shay

“You can’t cover her losses.”

“Watch me.”

“You’re making a faction! That’s against the rules.”

In the darkness, voices bounce around me. Megan, Zane, Raj. I’m sore everywhere, but the pain feels less important than the familiar tones, the calm that takes root deep inside knowing I’m surrounded by friends.

I might be disoriented but for once, I’m not alone.

“Ever heard of house rules?”

“We’re not in a house.”

The fourth voice has my eyes blinking open. The hospital suite is huge, bigger than any room I’ve seen, with seating for my friends. They’re opposite the bed, playing some kind of card game.