Not resting like he should.
He is sitting in a chair by the window, back slightly hunched, sling cradling his left arm. A hospital gown hangs loosely over sweatpants someone must have brought him.
He is staring out over the parking lot like he left part of himself out there.
My heart stops. Literally stops.
He is alive. Alive.
A sound escapes me, a broken sob, and Ethan turns.
“You had to go and be a hero, huh?” Dex says with a forced smile, walking over and giving him a half hug that avoids his injured side.
Ethan smiles back, but it is fragile. Thin. A mask that does not reach his eyes.
“Asher?” he asks immediately.
“No news yet,” Dex says.“His parents will be here in a few hours. He is alive, though. I got that much out of a nurse.” His grin turns wicked, like he threatened to charm or blackmail the information out of her.
Ethan shakes his head faintly, then looks at me.
Just looks.
Those beautiful green eyes. I could have lost them. I could have lost him.
And it pins me in place. I cannot move. I am stuck between the doorway and my own heartbeat.
“Summer.” His voice is soft. Gravelly.
“You scared me,” I whisper.
He studies me. Really studies me. Like he is trying to read something in my face.
“Why?” he asks quietly.
“I…” I shake my head. Dex is still here. I cannot crumble.“I do not know.”
But I do. God, I do. I want to run to him. Touch him. Make sure he is real.
But I do not.
“Get well soon,” I manage, my voice cracking.
Then, before I can stop myself, I turn and walk out.
I walk straight out of the hospital.
Into my car.
Up the gravel road to the ranch.
Into my room.
I collapse on the bed and finally let myself shatter.
I could have lost him.
???
