Page 83 of Wrecked

I’m exhausted and I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast, but I don’t want to leave his side again. Now that I know Beth is going to be fine and is in good hands, I can concentrate on Sam.

Sometime later, Lia walks into the room. She lays her hand on my shoulder. “So, you and Red, huh?” she asks quietly.

“Not many people know. Just Shane and Beth. And Sam’s family.”

Lia shrugs. “It’s cool. I won’t tell anyone.”

When Sam groans, we all turn our attention to him. His face contorts with pain, and he starts to struggle.

Michelle and Rachel rush over to the bed.

I shoot to my feet and lean over him. “I’m here, baby,” I say, gently laying my hands on his shoulders to hold him still. “I’m here.”

His eyes flutter open for the first time, and he stares at me with an unfocused gaze. He’s clearly in pain. Tears are running down his cheeks.

“Sam?” I ask. “Baby? How do you feel?”

His face screws up in agony as he glances around frantically.

“Sammy, please talk to me.” When he doesn’t respond, I start to get really nervous. “Sam, do you know who I am? Please, baby! What’s my name?”

He frowns as he stares up at me. “Danny?” His voice is little more than a croak.

Relief rushes through me. “Yeah, baby. I’m here. Try to relax.”

He winces in pain. “Where am I?”

“You’re in the hospital.”

He makes a face. “God, my head hurts!”

I grasp his hand and link our fingers. “You hit your head. Do you remember anything about the accident?”

He frowns. “Accident? What accident?”

Lia comes around to the opposite side of the bed. “Someone tried to run Beth down while we were crossing the street outside of Clancy’s. You managed to push her to safety, but in the process, you got hit instead.”

He tries to move his head. “It hurts!”

“Try to lie still, please,” I beg him. “Just rest. Everything’s going to be okay.”

“Where’s Beth?” he asks, suddenly panicked. “Where is she?”

“She’s here in the hospital, but she’s okay. I promise you.”

“In the hospital? I need to see her. I need to know she’s okay.” He squeezes my hand hard. “Danny, I need to see her. Where is she?”

I glance across the bed at Lia, who nods. “I’ll go get her.”

As Lia rushes off, I try to comfort Sam. “Shh, baby.” I gently stroke his forehead. My throat knots up and tears prick my eyes.

He’s restless and agitated. “Danny, my head hurts,” he cries. “And my leg.” He flinches when he tries to move his leg. “Why does my leg hurt?”

“It’s broken, Sam. I’m so sorry.” I try to hold him still, but he’s fighting me. “Baby, please, lie still. You’re going to hurt yourself.”

I lean down and kiss the bit of Sam’s forehead that isn’t covered in bandages. “Shh,” I murmur against his skin. “It’s going to be okay.”

His shoulders shake as tears roll down his pale cheeks. “What happened? I don’t remember.”