Page 64 of Ride

“Oh my God! I need to get down there.” I handed Kayne over to Winter, and she tugged on my arm.

“Wait! Let them get to him first, Amena. We should go to the hospital.”

“He needs me.”

“Mommy!” Kayne cried, ran to get in my arms. I took him back to Winter, whispering in his ear.

Bile burned the back of my throat, at the thought of my life without Laikin Trenton. “Shush... everything is okay.”

I felt bad not knowing what to tell my son to make him feel better.

“Amena, we have a car to take you to the hospital!” Malik shouted through the crowd.

I walked behind Winter down the bleachers, flanked by security.

“Tell me the truth Malik. Is he all right?”

Malik pushed past the photographer who was trying to get comments. There were flashes of light, and fans screaming my name.

“No comment! Back up.” Security pushed people away.

Malik flicked his finger at the valet to open the car doors.

“I will have your car delivered to the hospital,” Malik said, horror dawning on his features.

“Honey, I’m going to ride with them.” Sarai rolled up beside me.

Winter climbed in first. I got in behind her and passed Kayne over to sit on the opposite side of the three-seater SUV with the tinted windows.

“I got you a police escort,” Malik stated, slapping the hood of the car and stepping back directing the crowd.

Sarai typed away on her phone, dialing a number.

I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples. “Please tell me he’s going to be all right.” My leg wouldn’t stop bouncing.

“Laikin is strong. I promise.” Sarai patted my thigh.

“Sarai’s right, you have to keep praying,” Winter said as she started to massage my shoulders.

“Send a statement that we are not commenting on personal health details at this time,” Sarai shared over the phone, an edge of fear in her voice. Finally, the car made it to the emergency room. I started to help Kayne out of the car seat, and Winter motioned me away.

“Go, I got him,” Winter encouraged, carrying him out of the car behind me.

“Thanks, Winter.”

I followed security through the hospital entrance doors. A few people sat together, waiting to be called. Sarai stepped over to the reception desk. I scanned a few of the people’s faces. There was exhaustion in their eyes.

“Here to see VIP client, Laikin Trenton,” Sarai said.

The moment the words were spoken, everything stopped and became real.

“We have him in a private room. 340 upstairs,” the nurse administrator explained.

“Thank you.”

My steps felt slow. A knot of tension started to form in my stomach and climbed upward, threatening to choke me. Mentally drained, the closer we got to the elevator the more I worried that life would change forever. Sarai talked with security. Winter kept Kayne preoccupied as I focused on praying for Laikin.

“Remember we’re here no matter what, stay calm for Kayne,” Winter whispered in my ear. The elevator doors dinged open, and we walked to his door, then gently knocked to enter.