“I’m Alex. Alex Bell.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Alex Bell. I’m Gwendolyn. Things don’t always go by the letter of the law on night shift.” She winks. “I’ll be right out there if you need anything.”
I nod, trying to keep my emotions in check and move forward to sit down beside Tuesday’s bed. She looks so weak and frail. But I instantly hear her optimistic voice in my head. Looks can be deceiving. Because my girl is a fighter. Anyone else might’ve given up on that highway. But she’s still here.
Gingerly, I lift her soft hand, careful not to disrupt any of the intravenous lines or telemetry monitor wires attached to her. I just need to touch her. To somehow let her know I’m here.
“Sunny. I’m right here. I promise I won’t leave. I’m sorry-” I have to halt my words to choke down a sob before continuing. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get to you in time. God. I was so happy to see you. I didn’t notice anything but your bright smile.” Swiping my arm across my face, I try to wipe away the tears before they get her all wet. “I’m not sure if they’ll let me see you tomorrow. Nurse Gwendolyn snuck me in. But I’ll be in the waiting room. Don’t think because I’m not beside you, I’m not here.”
As much as I want her to know I’m with her, it hits me that if she can hear, I could upset her. She’s been through enough. Leaning my head down by her side, I hold her hand in mine and close my eyes.
“I love you. I can’t wait ’til you wake up, and I can tell you.”
Chapter 22
Alex
Morning comes, and change of shift brings increased commotion outside her doors. I’m not sure what time I fell asleep, so I put my head back down, rub the pad of my thumb over Tuesday’s knuckles, and close my eyes to the world around me.
A little while later, I lie unable to sleep. It’s as if I’m being watched. Lifting my head to look over my shoulder, I expect to find the day shift nurse beginning her rounds until my eyes land on him.
“Ricky,” I say, my mouth dry. He doesn’t respond. I can’t make out his expression. Is he trying to take in what’s happened with his poor little sister? I’m sure his parents have filled him in.
“How long?”
“What? Has she been out? Since it happened, I think.”
He nods toward our joined hands. “I meant that.”
It feels so natural to hold her. I’d forgotten I was doing it. “A while.”
“You’re my best friend, Alex. You couldn’t tell me? Two of the most important people in my life, and you were sneaking around behind my back.”
“It wasn’t like that. We wanted to see where things went before we brought anyone else into it. I knew you wouldn’t approve of me.”
“You’re darn right. As best I recall, you were with Ainsley not that long ago.”
“I know. I was with Ainsley because of the way I was starting to feel about your sister. I was trying to put any obstacle in the way. But I couldn’t fight it anymore.” I want to tell him I love her, but I’m sure as hell not sharing that with him before I can say it to Tuesday.
“What happens when you get bored and want to move on? It’ll devastate her.”
“That isn’t going to happen.” I stroke the top of her hand, hoping she can’t hear any of this. “We’re the real deal, man.”
We’re quickly interrupted as the day shift nurse comes in and advises she needs to do a few things and help clean Tuesday up a bit, but we can return later. I lift her hand to my mouth, kissing her gently before standing to head back to the waiting room.
“Nice shoes,” Ricky says.
Looking down at my blue booties, I chuckle.
“You should head home and get some rest,” Ricky says.
“No.”
“Alex. She’s safe here. I’ll call you if something changes. Unless you’re planning to use your body odor to wake her.”
Shit. He has a point.“I can’t leave her, man. You don’t understand.”
“Try me.”
