Page 65 of Winning His Wager

Darcey even wrapped her hand around Martin’s arm and kind of yanked him around. Hard to do, he was a big strong guy, and everything. “What’s wrong with Dylan?”

“Kaece took her and Fletcher to the ER,” the twin guy said. “We’re here to give everyone rides to the hospital if they are needed. We have Martin’s truck and Fletcher’s.”

“I have room for three,” Ben said, pulling Dusty close and everything.

“What in hell happened?” Dylan’s father almost yelled.

“It just came on suddenly. She was fine, dancing around with Reese, joking, teasing Fletcher,” Martin said in an almost choked voice. “We were outside, came back in a few hours later, and she just collapsed right into my arms.”

He held his arms out like he was remembering or something. Abby’s stomach twisted at his expression. Dylan’s father kind of took charge as his twin brother came in with his bitchy old wife.

They all seemed to really care about Dylan. Abby and Will weren’t like that and they had grown up together every day.

Then again, maybe that was it. Abby didn’t like Will one bit at all.

She’d have to call him, tell him he’d have to come get her late. He’d bitch, but what was she supposed to do?

Then the Talleys and the Tylers were all gone, all of them rushing to the hospital for Dylan and it was just her and Lucy.

“Well, that sucks.”

“Yes, it does. I hope Dylan is okay. She’s been through a lot lately.” Lucy’s worry was in her eyes.

But Abby? She really didn’t care about Dylan at all.

What did that say about the kind of person she was?

45

Two hours.One for surgery, another for anesthesia and recovery. That was all.

They were some of the longest two hours of his adult life. Her family showed up about half an hour in. Her father was demanding answers, her mother was freaking.

Devaney was trying to keep them both calm. Dorie was keeping a close eye on Dahlia. Darcey was in charge of them all.

It was controlled chaos.

His brother Ben was there, one hand on Fletcher’s shoulder.

Fletcher was aware of all of those things, but he wasn’t fully, either. He was just waiting.

Dixie had been given permission to stay nearby, so Dylan wasn’t fully alone up there with people she didn’t know cutting her open. She wasn’t. And Dixie would make sure she was taken care of. They all would.

It didn’t help one bit.

Someone said his name. He didn’t react.

Then someone was right in front of him. He looked into eyes the same stunning green as Dylan’s.

Dixie. She was back. She was watching him. Talking. She put her hands on his shoulders. He just looked at her. “Dylan?”

“She’s going to be fine, Fletcher. This isn’t like it was before, with your mom. It isn’t,” Dixie told him bluntly. She had a habit of that sometimes, being blunt. “Dylan is young, healthy, and this was just one of those things. The surgery went well. She’s in recovery now. No major signs of abscess or infection. You got her here in plenty of time, pal. Now…I want you to breathe and repeat after me: Dylan is going to be okay. Say it.”

“Dylan is going to be okay.”

“Good boy. Now, she has told me I am responsible for keeping you in the meantime. Until she can keep you herself. I’m going to do that. She is going to be okay. I promise.”

Fletcher acted without thinking—he pulled Dylan’s big sister closer and just hugged her.