I’ve been working so hard to build my confidence these past few months. I wanted to open myself up to give Ry what I know he needs. And not just for him. I’ve been eager to push out of my comfort zone. Now, it just seems impossible. Why would hewantto show my body to anyone?
“Are you ready?” The nurse’s voice sounds distant. It must be the meds.
“Yes.”
Jude clutches my hand as the nurse begins the process of removing my bandages. The pain is immediate, like a searing hot poker to my arm.
“Fuck,” I cry out.
“I’m here, Aspen. Just focus on my voice. Tell me what you’ve been cooking lately. You’re so cloak and dagger about your new…”
“Jesus Christ. It fucking hurts.” I can’t hold back the tears that spill from my eyes.
“You’re doing so well, Aspen,” the nurse offers me the empty compliment.
My body is shaking as she removes the last of the bandages, and I can’t help but scream.
It’s then that I hear a bang on the wall outside my room.
Chapter 26
RYDER
She’s screaming in there, and she won’t let me comfort her. I punch the wall outside her room in frustration, my knuckles throbbing as I pull back. Flex stands next to me.
“I should be in there. She’s suffering through this pain because of me, Flex. I can’t fucking stand it.”
“You have to respect her wishes right now, brother. You’ve both been through something really traumatic. Trust me, I get it.”
“Why doesn’t she want me in there? She ran into a burning building to save my life. The least I can do is hold her hand through this.”
“She doesn’t want you to see the burns.”
“I don’t give a fuck about her burns. She’s the fucking love of my life. A few scars won’t scare me away.”
“She’s got to wrap her head around it before she can let you in.”
I hear her cry out again, and my body is vibrating with adrenaline. I know Flex is right. I need to respect whatever she needs right now, but it breaks my heart that I can’t be by her side.
“Come on. Let’s get a coffee. It’s not good for you to be sitting out here listening to this.”
“If she can deal with the pain, then so can I. I want to be here in case she changes her mind.”
“Do you want me to go and grab some of your stuff?”
I pull my keys out of my pocket and toss them to him. “Yeah. Thanks, Flex.”
“I’m going to stop by Aspen’s building to get the camera footage with that asshole who burned down Dulip.”
“I appreciate your help.” Without another word, he turns on his heel and strides down the hallway.
I can’t stand the sound of Aspen in pain. I just want to make it all go away for her, but instead, I’m out here completely useless. I take a seat, dropping my head in my hands, trying to block out her cries.
It’s not until a familiar voice stands at my side that I realize the screams have stopped.
“I brought you coffee from the Attendings’ lounge. It’s way better than the shit you get out of the machine.” Pierce is a welcome face in the agony of our current predicament.
“Thanks, man. I fucking hate this.”
