Lie to Me (Sexual Misconduct Volume III) by Bethany Bazile Read Free Book Online Page A

raced to the door.
    “ I’m fine… It’s your mother.”
    “ My mom?” I paused before pulling open the car door, a bit taken aback.
    “ We’re in the emergency room. Just get here, okay?”
    The line went dead as I sped out the driveway.
    I was confused and scared as hell. Why was Avery with my mom? And how the fuck did she end up in the emergency room? My foot was practically glued to the gas pedal, and my hands clenched the wheel so tight my knuckles were white.
    ~*~*~
    When I arrived at the hospital, I found Avery huddled up with Ian in the emergency room waiting area. She stood and took a few steps my way when she noticed me coming toward them. I stopped in front of her and almost reached out to hold her, but she quickly took a step back as though she’d read my intention.
    “ What the fuck happened to her?” I snapped. I was so on edge I didn’t even filter my anger when Avery was obviously wrecked about the situation.
    “ It’s my fault.” She looked so dismal, and I was immediately sorry for coming off so strong.
    “ It’s not your fault,” Ian said, stepping in behind her and putting his hands on her shoulders. She allowed him to, even leaned into his touch. I pretended to brush it off because, at that point, I needed to concentrate on my mother.
    “ Why do you think it’s your fault?”
    She stepped forward and looked up at me. “I went to talk to her about… everything that happened.” She began twisting her hands together, then looked away. “I got angry and yelled at her. Then she started clutching her chest and asked for an ambulance. I’m sorry, Xander. I just went over there to talk.”
    I reached out and took her hand , knowing it was the only contact she’d allow. She turned her head back toward me and looked at our joined hands. “Is there any word on how she is?”
    She shook her head, her grip on my hand tightening before she released and returned to her seat with Ian at her side. I made my way to the desk and asked about my mother, but they gave me vague answers and told me to wait for the doctor to come out. Back in the waiting area, I sat across from Avery and watched as Ian kept leaning over and whispering to her.
    W hat the fuck are they talking about?
    I didn ’t trust Ian not to use her vulnerability over this situation to take advantage of her. Time stretched, and with each passing moment, I became more anxious, wondering what was happening with my mother. If someone didn’t come out and talk to us soon, I was going to search the hospital until I saw with my own eyes she was okay.
    She ’d had a heart condition for a while. She’d been shocked when my dad was the one to have the heart attack that took him from us, because he’d been reasonably healthy. Maybe the stress of his political position had been too much. Or maybe he was overwrought about a son who never made an effort to come home. I knew I couldn’t handle losing my mother so soon after my dad, so I convinced myself she was fine. Even though fear had a seriously tight grip on my heart.
    Ian swept a hand into Avery ’s hair, pushing it behind her ear. What the fuck?
    “ Why the fuck do you keep touching her?” I was trying to hold it together, but it didn’t work. I came apart because I was tired of watching this sick show Ian was putting on for my sake.
    They both turned to me , Ian looking pleased to have pissed me off, and Avery all wide-eyed and shocked.
    “ Don’t,” Avery said sharply.
    “ Why are you letting him touch you? Since when did he become your consoler?” I furrowed my brows and held out my hands, palms up.
    “ This is not the time nor the place, so drop it,” she hissed through clenched teeth.
    Then when is the time? Now seemed as good a time as any. I needed a distraction, and putting my fist into Ian’s face might just work. Before I put my theory into action, a doctor stepped out and called our last name.
    “ Your mother suffered a heart attack. She stable, and we’re