Fleeting Moments

8 | Brandon

"I'm gonna go check on Layne," Morgan announces, grabbing her purse.

"I'll go with you," I quickly follow. It's hard to sit there and see my best friend like that. He's the only brother I've ever had. Yes, Michael is a good friend, but Sean? I've known Sean my entire life. We used to take baths together, for crying out loud. I told him about my first crush, my first kiss, the first time I failed a test, when I realized my crush on his mom was a little too intense, literally everything.

Morgan rode here with Layne so I follow her lead. I'm assuming Layne would have went to her car for some privacy; there's not many private places to just sit in the hospital. I can't imagine what's going through her mind right now, I can barely process everything myself. Add the stress of possibly losing the man you're having a baby with?

I couldn't say "raising the baby alone," because that would never be on Layne's plate. Even if her parents and Sean's somehow turned their backs, I'd do everything I could for Layne and my niece, Sean would haunt me if it were any other way. And even if that wasn't a fact, I wouldn't betray my brother like that and let his family suffer in his absence. I'd be the best uncle to my niece and brother to my sister.

I'm still getting to really know Morgan, but I could already tell she wouldn't do that to Layne either. I'd known of Morgan for years, but outside of hanging out with Sean and Layne, we'd never talked. I never had anything against her, but I wasn't really looking for anything serious. Layne and Sean changed that for me, seeing the way they look at each other. They would do anything for each other, and I mean anything.

As much as Sean shares with me, he has never shared any detail about Layne that would hurt her if she found out. Did I know when he lost his virginity to her? Absolutely. And he told me how he felt about it from his perspective, but he never tried to tell me about her like another guy would. He never tried to share her nudes, actually I don't if they even sent those to be quite honest; and I would never ask. Sean treats her like a Saint, a Goddess. He'd never disrespect her, and he wouldn't let anyone else either.

At the gym one time when Layne came with us, a guy congratulated Sean on scoring, "the finest piece of ass in the gym," and we'll just say the guy left with a black eye he didn't have before and we haven't seen him since.

"Oh, shit," Morgan gasps, pulling away from my thoughts and oblivious following. "Layne!"

I look at the end of the stairs, seeing a woman laying there, wearing the same red hoodie and grey sweat pants Layne was wearing. Which must mean, Layne is lying unconscious at the bottom of these cement steps. Morgan and I don't hesitate to rush down the stairs. I quickly scoop her up, careful with her mid-region. I take off for the emergency entrance we just left, and Morgan flags down the first nurse she sees. I can't help but notice the little bit of blood on the side of Layne's head, silently hoping it was just a scrape. Blood wasn't pouring from it, which I hoped was a good sign. Layne's eyes flutter open as I lay her on the bed the nurses brought to me, and she's clearly confused.

It's going to be a long night.

The doctors finish checking up on Layne around 10:30 and left us leave to go back to Sean. Layne has a small bandage on her temple but she's fine besides that. Her and the baby, from my knowledge. They said she had a panic attack and must have fallen down the stairs when she passed out. She has no internal bleeding or major problems, but they told her she needs to take it easy and try to stay calm. Especially for the sake of the baby. Morgan luckily went to the bathroom when they came to talk to her. I texted everyone waiting with Sean to let them know what happened and kept them updated for the sanity of everyone. Two hurt in one day, what the hell?

When we make it back to Sean's room, he hasn't moved a centimeter. I can't help but let out a frustrated sigh, and Morgan takes my hand in hers, squeezing it reassuringly. Her hand in mine feels nice. Layne smiles tightly as everyone checks on her.