Dawson blew out a long breath. “You know, if you need to talk or vent, I’m here.”
“I don’t.” The words came out sharp, and guilt pricked me immediately. It wasn’t his fault I highsided. It wasn’t his fault I’d walked away from the girl I loved like I’d never love anyone again.
I hoped Kaia didn’t know about the accident. I’d hate it if she worried. I didn’t deserve that.
“Sorry,” I added. “I just need time to process this. Is Ale around?”
“In the hallway. Want me to call him?”
I nodded. “Please.”
Dawson braced his hands on his knees and rose. As he left, I exhaled, wincing at the pain in my chest.
It wasn’t only the crash. It hadn’t stopped hurting since I told Kaia we couldn’t be together. They could drug me and stitch me up, but that other hurt wouldn’t go away. Might as well get used to it.
“Mi niño.” Ale strolled in and paused by my bed. “How are you?”
“Alive. What time is it?”
Ale dropped into Dawson’s chair. “Two p.m. Your surgery’s scheduled for later today.”
“Yeah, I remember. Is anyone else here?” I both hoped and dreaded Kaia was. Walking away once nearly killed me; doing it again would finish me.
“Just Dawson and me,” Ale said. “Your mother texted yesterday, asking for an update.”
I snorted. “Texted?”
She could’ve come. Talked to the doctors. Waited until I woke up like Ale and Dawson did—without even being family.I already knew what she’d say to justify not showing up: hospitals made her nervous. She never wanted this life for me.
Bullshit. She just didn’t care.
Ale nodded with his chin. Despite the ironed shirt and styled hair, I didn’t miss the dark shadows under his eyes. He was worried, and I was grateful he hadn’t started asking the uncomfortable questions yet.
“Listen,” Ale said. “I know we should focus on the surgery for now, but I want you to stay with me afterward.”
“Okay.” I wouldn’t go back to Russell’s anyway, so I was basically homeless.
“It’ll be okay,” Ale said, standing.
It wouldn’t be, but I swallowed the words before they escaped.
***
Five days later I was at Ale’s, swallowing painkillers and feeling useless.
My left arm hung in a sling. I could do most things with my right, but I couldn’t drive, let alone ride. If I wanted to leave the apartment I had to ask Ale, and he was buried in agency work and meetings. I was his friend—and a client—but not his only one.
A key turned in the lock, and I stood. He’d come home early, which kept me from spiraling during the day. Nights were a different story—full of thoughts about Kaia and the future I no longer had.
I shuffled to the foyer. The front door opened, and someone I hadn’t expected walked in.
“What the fuck.” I froze, staring at Javi as he dropped his backpack and scanned me.
He hugged me, careful not to touch the injured side. “You fucking scared me, tío.”
I was thrilled to see him. I also hated that he’d caught me at my lowest.
“Sorry about that,” I said, gesturing to the living room with my good arm. “Come in.”
