Free Every Little Piece by Kate Ashton Page A

now here.” She pushed my chest, her eyes turning crazy. “And for the record, we didn’t do anything. I was just trying to be a friend.”
    Heat crept up the back of my neck. Now everyone knew. And she was right. I was so paranoid about Haley finding out, and so off with the news of our parents, that I was taking it out on her. I took a deep breath, gaining control of my emotions. “I’m sorry. You don’t deserve to take the heat of my anger,” I whispered. “What happened between our parents is separate from us.”
    Carly cried harder. “Don’t do this, Seth. Not now. Our parents, us, that’s not important right now.” She bit her lip as if not wanting to share the information.
    Dread pooled in the pit of my stomach, and I wanted to lose the scrambled eggs and bacon I just ate. “What?” I asked. When she didn’t say anything, I asked again. “What?” My voice shook. Carter stood next to me, along with his parents.
    Carly broke down. “There was an accident last night. It was raining. The car hydroplaned.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m sorry, Seth.”
    I struggled to breathe. “Haley?”
    She nodded. “They’re not letting anyone in or releasing any information. That’s why I’ve been calling you. I’m so sorry. I hope they’re okay.” Then she turned and ran away.
    She hoped they were okay? Brin and Kama must’ve been with her. I grabbed Carter’s shoulder. “Let’s go, man.”
    Carter’s parents promised to call mine, and they’d be over soon. I raced to the van with Carter following.
    “Whoa, what happened to your mom’s van?” Carter asked after we slammed the door closed, and I gunned the engine.
    “I front ended a car when leaving the party.” For some reason, I couldn’t admit that I couldn’t remember.
    I could crush the steering wheel I was squeezing it so hard. I whipped around corners and flew along the straight-aways. The rest of last night’s rain streamed down the windshield.
    I had to get to the hospital.
    I couldn’t believe I made this all about me. I ignored Carly’s calls. I assumed she was flirting. I was such a jerk. Why had they been out on the road? Haley should’ve stayed at the party, laughing, and having a good time.
    I’d never gone back to the party. I meant to, just to show them all that I wasn’t drunk, but my heart had been teetering on the edge, and I couldn’t face Haley. Not after I’d lied to her all night and then laid blame on her for not being committed. I should’ve gone back. I should’ve been there.
    I rounded a corner and cut off another car. The driver laid on the horn. Almost there. I threw out all sorts of promises to a God I didn’t believe in. Just make her okay . We pulled into the hospital, parked the van, and ran.
     

Drip, drip, drip. Still raining.
    I tried to move but the weight of the world pressed on my body. I panicked and struggled to move. My mind was blank, a clear slate with not even a scribble on it. I couldn’t recall even a fragment of a memory. How had I ended up here? Where was I?
    “She’s awake!” a voice called.
    People rushed around me, creating a slight draft. Fingers pressed into the crook of my arm. Beeps beeped and machines hummed quietly in the background. Hushed whispers. I faded them out. A hot tear trembled against my eyelashes. I was in a hospital, and I was the one hurt. What had happened?
    Drip, drip, drip. The rain. Graduation. The night flashed back. Everything from our crazy wager to the hot tub to the party. SETH! The word screamed out, pulsing in my head and crashing against my chest as I repeated his name. I groaned and tried to speak.
    “Seth!”
    A hand smoothed my hair. “No worries, dear. You’re lucky to be alive.”
    Her voice continued to calm me, but her sweet words crashed against me and fell away. They didn’t make it past the words screaming through my head. I opened my eyes for the first time and grabbed her hand. Her skin was warm. My fingers felt ice cold.