Returning to Dee’s side, I sit down and take her cold, pale hand in mine, pressing a tender kiss to its back. The chill of her skin sends a shiver through me, prompting me to pull the blanket up under her chin.
“There you go, baby. I don’t want you catching a cold,” I murmur, stroking her cheek. “I love you so much, Dee. I can’t do this without you.” Leaning down, I press a lingering kiss to her forehead.
“Colt?” Hux’s voice startles me. I turn to see him standing in the doorway.
“They said they wouldn’t let anyone else in,” I say, my voice hoarse.
“The nurse thought you could use some company. We’re all here… the guys, Anna, Sia. We’re here for you, bro,” he assures me, closing the distance and pulling me into a firm hug. I don’t usually go for this kind of thing, but right now, I need it. I rest my head on his shoulder, letting the tears fall as he holds me tightly.
“Don’t worry. Your woman’s a fighter, Colt. She’s going to pull through this. She has to,” he says, his voice resolute.
I sniff, pulling back and wiping my nose with the back of my hand. “She better,” I reply, my voice thick with emotion. “She flatlined three times, Hux.Three. Fucking. Times. I thought she was gone. What if next time… she doesn’t come back to me?” The thought twists like a knife in my gut.
He pulls a seat up next to mine, and we sit down. “Mate, there’s not going to be a next time. The doc says she’s stable, and we just have to wait it out for her to come out of the coma. And she will. Like I said, our Little Bean is a fighter, and she’s healing, and when she’s better, shewillcome back to us… to you,” he promises, placing his arm around my shoulders. “In the meantime, I’m here for you. You’re my brother, and I love you, even though sometimes I can be a dick. I love Dee too. We all do, so we’re all here. Mum’s on her way from England, and so are Dee’s parents.”
I rest my head in my hands. “Great! It’s the first time Dee’s going to meet Mum, and she can’t even talk to her,” I remark, and Hux rubs my back.
Rutherford is going to kill me for letting this happen to his daughter!
“I don’t think Mum cares about that. All she cares about is you and how you’re coping. She doesn’t want either of us to fall off the wagon again,” Hux states.
I can understand where he’s coming from because I want a hit so bad right now.
Just one to ease some of this incredible pain.
Dee’s fighting for her life, and I wanna use. I am the epitome of a fucked up fiancé!
“I can see you’re struggling, bro, but you should see the support for Dee outside the hospital. Fans are leaving letters and candles, flowers, and teddy bears. You should come out and see. It’s like a shrine to Dee out there, man. The fans love her for bringing you and the band back together. The entire world is praying for her, Colt. That’s how I know she’s going to be fine.”
I rest my head on the edge of her gurney and hold her hand. “You hear that, baby? Everyone needs you to come back to us.”
“Thought you guys could do with coffee,” Johnny says.
I glance over at him, standing in the doorway with a tray holding three to-go coffee cups. He half-smiles as he walks in, handing a cup to Hux and then one to me. I shake my head, and Johnny and Hux both huff.
“The nurse said you were being stubborn. Just drink the fucking coffee, you damn martyr,” Johnny asserts, and I exhale before taking the cup from him. “How are you doing?” I look at him like he’s fucking stupid. “Sorry, I just wanna make sure you’re not thinking of doing anything you’ll regret later.”
“I’m okay, on edge. I just need Dee to wake up. I can’t stand the not knowing. The doctor said she’s had a serious operation and that she’s critical, but they’re not telling me everything. All I know is that she hit her head and her leg is broken. I can’t handle them telling me what’s wrong with her stomach. I know it isn’tgood, but I don’t know how to deal with it. She’s cold, man! She’s so fucking cold. That can’t be a good thing, right?” I ask, needing some reassurance.
“I’m not a doctor, but if she’s cold, ask for more blankets. How bad is her head injury?” Johnny asks.
“Bad enough for them to put her in a medically induced coma. They say the swelling in her brain is severe, and they’re trying to reduce it, but it’s a slow process. They explained a whole bunch of other medical stuff in jargon I don’t understand,” I reply and run my hand through my hair in frustration.
“Why don’t you take a break and get something to eat? You know Dee wouldn’t want you starving yourself,” Johnny says.
“I won’t leave her. Plus, I’m not hungry,” I say as I stroke her cheek.
“Colt, c’mon, bro, you need to eat something,” Hux says.
“Yeah, seriously, mate—”
“Just stop with all this concern shit,” I snap, cutting Johnny off. “The thought of food makes me want to throw up. You’re both just in the way. I need to be with Dee. She needs to know I’m here, waiting for her. So can you just… leave.”
“Colt, c’mon. Be reason—”
“Justfuck off!Both of you!” I roar.
They share a look, exhaling hard. Hux rises first, his jaw tight, then Johnny follows without a word.
