I looked at him, and my jaw imperceptibly tensed. “I’d tell you too fucking bad.”
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “Good answer.” He glanced away, watching the rain for a moment. “Look…I’m supposed to do this whole big brother ‘if you hurt her’ spiel, but you’re bigger than me, and youknowme…” He smirked. “So, I don’t think it’s going to have the desired effect.”
My lips subtly twitched as I released a breath, but my next words were sincere. “I-I won’t hurt her, Wes. Ever. You have my word.”
“I know.” He held my stare, then nodded. “Come on. Let’s get back in there.”
We both blew out breaths, giving one another a look before we walked back inside.
When we returned, the others were out of Haley’s room for the time being. We stepped inside, and her mom and Morgan were standing on either side of the stretcher. They looked at the two of us as if they were trying to assess the situation and possible damage, if any.
“We’re good,” Wes said.
Morgan smiled as he went to stand beside her.
Haley’s mom turned to look at me. “I heard what you did,” she choked out. Then, she pulled me down into a hug. “Thank you.”
I felt my eyes sting, and I cleared my throat with a nod as we drew back.
My eyes shifted to Haley as I moved to stand near the head of the bed. I ignored the tubes and beeping of the monitor, staring down at her as my finger brushed against her cheek while she slept. She had some scrapes and bruises, and the small gash on her brow line was covered. She was going to be sore and would have to take it easy for a bit.
But she wasalive.
Now, I just needed her to wake up for me.
Chapter 34
A warm handbrushed my cheek as I slowly stirred awake. And the more I came to, the more Iached.
Every muscle in my body felt like it had been set to a low tumble dry with a couple of bricks. And that was mild compared to how my chest felt.
A soft, broken groan escaped me as my brow pinched. I tried to shift, hoping for a sliver of relief, but my body refused, the pain quickly flooding back and settling deep in my chest.
“Take it easy, baby girl.” I heard his gentle voice, and my head slowly turned in its direction as my eyes fluttered open. I blinked Blake’s blurry face into focus, meeting his soft blue eyes and even softer smile. “There you are.”
“Hi…” I drawled in a whisper.
He carefully lifted my hand that was held by his and leaned forward, kissing my knuckles. “Hi, yourself.” His other hand lifted, gently tucking my hair behind my ear. “You’ve been coming in and out for the past hour. How are you feeling?”
“Sore.”
“Yeah. You’re gonna be for a while.” A slight cough slipped past my lips, and I grimaced from the pain; then he grimaced on my behalf. “Here…” He grabbed a styrofoam cup filled with ice water from the bedside table and guided the straw to my lips so I could take a small sip. “Your mom, Wes, and Morgan went to grab something for dinner. But they’ll be back in a bit.”
Wes knew Blake was there with me? I had questions, but I was still too out of it to let myself worry enough to ask them.
“Do you remember what happened?” he asked.
Flashes of the accident filled my head.
I remembered it happening, the almost weightless feeling as my Jeep hydroplaned.
I remembered the burst of fear followed by pain as it flipped.
I remembered seeinghimsuddenly appear, a part of me believing I’d just conjured him in my head and that he wasn’t really there.
After that, everything faded.
“For the most part,” I said quietly as I searched his eyes. “You showed up…”
