Free The Truth About Air & Water (Truth in Lies #2) by Katherine Owen Page B

doctors and nurses streaming in and out of the swinging doors to the ER where Linc is. My mind tries to tabulate the exact number, but I can’t.
    I can’t even breathe.
    I try to remember what I said to him last. What was it? But I can’t remember.

    “They’re taking him to emergency surgery. They’ve brought in a neurologist. Tom Carter. He’s good.” My dad looks beyond stressed.
    I concentrate on breathing in and out so I don’t freak out right along with him.
    “I thought Dr. Carter only did brain surgery,” I say slowly, holding the cup of coffee in my hand and vaguely feeling the heat from the Styrofoam even as it begins to feel cold in my hands. How is that possible? Cold and hot at the same time. Like me? It’s been sixty-five minutes since I last saw Linc, and I think I can measure it in days.
    “He does. The CAT Scan showed some bleeding. They need to relieve the pressure.”
    My dad is a man of few words but the ones he’s chosen to use seem to cut into me as swiftly as a scalpel would. I actually flinch as the familiar resounding edge of fear moves in and takes me over completely. The unbelievable pain comes on much more slowly. My dad holds my stunned gaze and starts to nod as if I’ve just figured out the scenario for all of us.
    “It’s really serious, Tally, but Tom Carter is the best.”
    “He could die.” I’ve said this as if I’m reading from my first book in Kindergarten.
    See Spot run.
    See Spot run fast.
    Does Spot die?
    Does he get hit by a baseball and die? Or die in a burning car? Like Holly?
    Cara will be five in a few years. I should be ready for this, for Kindergarten, with Cara. I should teach her to read now. I can’t seem to get her to talk, but maybe I can teach her to read.
    But if Linc dies, then so do I.
    Then, where will Cara be?
    These are the questions we have that we never give a voice to.
    These are the thoughts we think but that we never actually say.
     

     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SEVEN
    No Air -TALLY
     
    Marla’s here. She puts her arm around me. Her warmth seeps into me somehow after a few minutes. I look at her helplessly.
    “It’s going to be okay.”
    Her words cause my lips to curve. I can still smile. That’s good news. That’s all the good news I have to go on right now.
    I look at her even more intently. “I’m going to hold you to that.” She nods. “Sorry about the have-to-keep-it-a-secret-we’re-getting-married-tomorrow shtick. I really wanted to tell you. Today ? We were trying to take in consideration my parents, my mom really; and protect Linc’s dad from blowing a gasket, I suppose. So much for the secret. Or the surprise.” I’ve said this like I’m reading off of a piece of paper at a eulogy. It feels like one.
    I’m numb. I grow colder by the minute.
    “Remember, I’m the expert when it comes to wedding plans. An elopement is really the only way to go. You’ll just have to put it off for a few more weeks or keep to the schedule for late October? November?” She frowns, which makes me kind of smile because the logistics have just become a nightmare, and we both know it. She sighs. “You guys love each other. That’s all that matters. All you need is love.”
    “What are you doing? Quoting the Beatles’ song lyrics now?”
    “Anything that will work for a distraction, baby.”
    “Thanks for being here. Don’t call me baby.”
    “Nowhere I’d rather be, baby . Charlie’s coming up after he does rounds. We’re all here for you and Linc. You know that. Always.”
    “Always,” I say in rote but I can’t really breathe and I try to hide that fact from Marla. A distinct part of me worries I’ll never be able to breathe properly again. I give voice to the overriding fear. “But what if something happens to him, Marla? What then?”
    “It won’t.”
    “How do you know ?”
    “I just know ,” Marla says squeezing my ice cold hands. “I just know , Tally.”

    Davis Presley arrives and