Nate
JENKINS

I caught the small tennis ball that I threw up in the air for the two hundredth time. I was laying on my bed, trying to figure out what the hell happened that night at the bar.

What was she doing there? What was she doing here-- in New York City? I couldn't say I blamed her for throwing that drink in my face. After what happened all those years ago...I'm pretty sure I deserved it.

When Ayden asked me what that was all about, I tried to tell him. I was so surprise and dumbfoundead, that I couldn't be clear with him. When I told him it was karma, he thought I meant that I was getting what I deserved. In a way, I was. But that's not what I was trying to tell him.

I was trying to tell him that her name was Karma. Karma Fitzgerald to be exact. She was born and raised in the city like Lanie and I were. She went to the same high school as us. And--she and I dated senior year.

I always tell anybody who asks that I've never had a serious relationship. It was true. Mostly. I haven't. At least, I didn't think I did. When I was with Karma in high school, I didn't see anyone else. Just Karma.

We went on dates, we went to the movies, and we even went to prom together. There were a few times where I even snuck into her room to see her.

At the time, she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Now...now she was the most gorgeous woman I had ever seen. Time has definitely benefited her. I didn't have to try to sift through my memories to pinpoint where I fucked up. I remembered that wretched night vividly.

It was also the night Lanie lost one of her best friends. She and Karma had been close since elementary school. Including Harper, the three of them had been inseparable. Until I fucked it up.

That caused a big rift between Lanie and me for a while. What I did was stupid and she wouldn't let me forget it for a while. I didn't blame her. That's where our whole 'not allowed to date friends' rule came from.

I knew it was a long shot, but I pulled out my phone and dialed the last number I had for her.

"We're sorry, but you have reached a number that has been disconnected, or is no longer in service..."

"Goddammit, Karma." I threw my phone on my bed and ran my hands over my face. Why was I even angry? I knew her number wouldn't be working. It's been over ten years since I've seen her.

Maybe I wanted to apologize. I should apologize. Knowing her, she didn't want to hear it. She was a stubborn one. It was one of the reasons why she fit so well into our group. But how could I even attempt to apologize if I didn't know where she lived or how to reach her? I doubt she was going to show up at Down the Rabbit Hole again.

Of course she knew where I lived, but she had no reason to show up here. Not unless she wanted to see Lanie. I frowned at that thought. Speaking of my sister, she should have been back by now.

I grabbed my phone to call her and that's when I heard the front door open and slam shut.

"Nate!"

A knot formed in my stomach when I heard Harper's panicked voice. I got up as quick as my injured leg would let me and hurried into the living room. She was arguing about something with Jackson before they both looked at me.

"What's going on, guys?" I asked with concern. Whatever it was, it probably wasn't good. 

Harper opened and closed her mouth multiple times. She started to cry and it became completely impossible for her to form words. Jackson pulled her into a tight hug before he looked at me with a dreadful expression.

"Lanie's been in an accident."

I stared at him for several minutes. "What?"

"You should drink some coffee."

I glanced at the cup Jackson was offering me before I glowered at him. "I don't need any fucking coffee."

Jackson lowered the cup. Even though his expression was serious, his eyes showed something different. He was just as scared as I was. "Take a breath, Nate. The doctor's are doing everything they can. I know you're batshit crazy. But you need to hear me. Drink. The. Coffee." 

The stubborn side of me reared it's ugly head. I wanted to yell. I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw a fucking chair out of the goddamn window. Why was this happening? Why was my sister in a car accident? Now her life, and the life of my nephew, was hanging in the balance. What. The. FUCK. 

Jackson waited patiently while I was mentally freaking out. One minute went by. Then another. And another. I finally reached out and took the cup from him. 

"Thanks." The word came out a little hoarse. As if I really had screamed until I threw my voice out. 

"Have you reached Ayden yet?" 

I took a sip of the coffee. The hot caffinated liquid slid down my throat. The warming sensation actually seemed to help a little. "Not yet. I left him some messages. He should be landing any minute." I shrugged a shoulder. "I'm assuming he's going to turn his phone on right away." 

Jackson turned and leaned back agaisnt the wall next to me. "You said Jaime is there right? That way, in case he doesn't hear from you, she can catch him at the gate?" 

I nodded. "Yeah." Ryan and Danielle were down in the cafeteria getting some food for everyone. This really was all the family we had. 

Jackson let out an amused snort. "She's pretty extraordinary, you know?" 

"Harper? Yeah, she is." 

"No, Lanie." When I looked at him with a confused expression, he explained it to me. "I've known her for awhile. She was the first person to find out about Harper and me. Instead of giving Harper shit, she said she would cover for us." Jackson cleared his throat. His voice came out a little rougher when he continued. "When I fucked up and hurt Harper, Lanie showed up at my hotel room. She ripped me a new one and made me see the truth. I loved Harper. Madly. I was just too scared too admit it to myself." 

Jackson glanced over where Harper was sitting in the waiting room. I could tell by the look on his face that he would gladly lay down his life for the woman he loved. "I owe Lanie everything. Like I said, she's extraordinary." 

Yes, she was. Lanie was one in a million. Even though I've taken my big brother role seriously-- even the bickering part-- I felt so fucking lucky to call her my sister. 

"Jackson, I never thanked you for looking after her when Ayden and I were...away." I held out my hand to him. "Thank you." 

He gave me a nod as he shook my hand. "Anytime, mate. Let's just hope that situation never happens again. I prefer you happy and healthy." 

Harper walked over and Jackson immediately pulled her into his arms. She rested her head on his chest and I could see her eyes. They were red-rimmed from crying. I wanted to reach out and give her a hug myself. But I knew I would lose it if I did. Harper was just as special to me as Lanie. She was my sister and I felt her pain on top of my own. I couldn't lose it right now. 

"Want to go outside for a little air?" Jackson asked her softly. When she shook her head, he added, "I promise Nate will update us if there's news." Harper stepped back and met his stare. "Five minutes, Princess. Let's go." 

"He's right," I interjected. "Go get some air, Harp. I'll keep you posted." 

After they left and exited the hospital, I started pacing back and forth in the waiting room. It's been hours and no news. How is that even possible? 

My cell phone rang and my stomach dropped when I saw Ayden's name on the caller-ID. I answered right away. "Ayden?" 

"Hey, I just landed. I had like thirty missed calls from you and I can't get ahold of Lanie. Is everything okay?" 

 My eyes squeezed shut. He didn't hear the messages. "Ayden, something's..." I cleared my throat. "Lanie was in an accident." 

"An accident?" 

"Yes. She-- she was in a car accident." There was dead silence on the other end of the line. "Ayden?" 

"Is she..."

"She's alive. She was rushed to the hospital. Jaime is waiting for you at your gate to bring you hear." 

"I see Jaime. Hold on," he said. I faintly heard him speak to Jaime. There was a bunch of muffled noises before I heard the sound of a car door and the start of her ignition. "Tell me exactly what the doctor's have told you. All the medical terminology you can remember." 

I tried to remember everything they told me and it wasn't easy. "When they first got here, they said there was a laceration to the abdomen and some internal bleeding. They did a C-section to get the baby out. I told them he was to young, too little. God, what if he dies?" My voice started getting hysterical as I relieved what happened when I got here. 

Ayden was always a cool one under pressure. He kept his voice level. "She was twenty-six weeks. The baby has a good chance of survival. Tell me more." 

"They- uh, they said she was hemoragging a lot. There were some internal injuries from the accident. They said they took the baby to the Neonatal ICU and she's still in surgery."

"Christ! Ayden hissed into the phone. So much for level headed.  "When did this happen?" 

"She was getting lunch and got into a cab to come home. A car ran a red light and hit her cab." 

"She's going to be fine. Both she and the baby are going to be fine," he said with stong conviction. As if his words alone would pull the both of them through. I sure as hell hoped so. 

"I got to see him for a few minutes," I said softly. The chocked sob from the other end of the line told me he knew what I meant. "He's amazing, Ayden. He really is." 

"I'll be there in ten minutes."

The line went dead and I ran my hands over my face. Could this day get any worse?

"Mr. Jenkins?" 

I looked up and the surgeon was walking towards me. "Yes?" 

"We need to speak to you privately. Please come with us." 

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck.