* * *
The following morning, I’m taken in a wheelchair to the ICU to visit my boyfriend. Only two to three visitors are allowed in at one time. Garrick’s parents are with him now, and I figure they want privacy, so I wait with the nurse and Mom in the private waiting room until Dawn and Hugh leave Garrick’s room.
They join us in the waiting area a few minutes later. “Sweetheart, it’s good to see you awake.” Hugh leans down and hugs me.
“I’m so sorry,” I cry, hating how tears instantly swim in my eyes. It’s like my tear ducts got injured in the accident as well. “This is all my fault.” Choking sobs cleave from my mouth as pain tears across my chest, adding to my heartbreak.
When I’m conscious, I exist with a constant constricting pain in my chest. My heart is a shredded mass of tissue, broken beyond repair.
“I’m glad we are on the same page about something,” a snooty unfortunately familiar female says as the door flies open behind me, admitting another visitor.
“That’s uncalled for and untrue, Ivy,” Hugh says, straightening up as Mom places her hand on my arm and stands stoically by my side.
“It was a tragic accident,” Dawn agrees, softly squeezing my hand.
“Garrick would want us rallying around Stevie, not blaming her for this,” Hugh adds, and I wonder if he knows about the BMW. I doubt he does. I know Garrick’s dad is a good man, but surely even he would struggle to accept I’m blameless if he knew the truth.
“Everything turned to shit for my son the moment he met that gold-digging slut,” Ivy hisses, her words infused with the usual poison she reserves for me.
Mom spins around with fire in her eyes. “Would you like to say that to my face?”
“Garrick loves Stevie, and your hurtful accusation is the last thing anyone needs right now.” Dawn levels Ivy with a cool glare.
“You agreed not to come until twelve,” Hugh says, sliding his arm around Dawn’s waist.
“You knew Stevie was coming to see Garrick, and you planned this on purpose,” Dawn adds in a clipped tone. “You should be ashamed of yourself, Ivy. Look at the poor girl. Stevie is as devastated as we are. Bickering about blame is pointless when our son is in there fighting for his life.” Her voice cracks, and she bursts out crying.
Hugh is barely holding it together, and silent tears crawl down my face and drip over my chin.
Mom squeezes my hand, and when I look up at her, she is crying too.
“Don’t lecture me about how I feel,” Ivy snaps. She’s the only one in the room with dry eyes. “Garrick is my only flesh and blood. He’s my everything, and all that little bitch has done is try to take him away from me.” Ivy shoves Dawn out of the way and thrusts her cosmetically altered face all up in mine. “You better hope and pray my son recovers because I will make your life a misery if he doesn’t.”
ChapterThirty-Six
Stevie
“Don’t mind her, Stevie.” Dawn crouches down in front of me, gently wiping the tears from my face. Ivy departed after making her threat and it’s good riddance. “She’s a miserable bitch who takes her unhappiness out on everyone around her.”
“She’s upset and not able to express it,” Hugh says.
I can see where Garrick gets this side of his personality from now. I don’t think Hugh Allen has said a bad word about anyone at any time in his life. He always tries to see the best in everyone. It’s probably how that poisonous bitch managed to get him to marry her.
Dawn straightens up, leveling her husband with a stern look. “You need to stop making excuses for that woman, and I’m done biting my tongue. She’s a horrible, selfish, uncaring bitch, and I hate that we’re saddled with her.”
Internally, I’m fist pumping the air and high-fiving Garrick’s stepmom.
“I don’t want her upsetting Stevie,” Mom says.
“We’ll work out a roster of visiting times,” Hugh confirms. “We’re both listed as family spokespersons, so I’ll talk to the nursing staff, and I’ll talk to my ex-wife.” He pats my shoulder. “I’ll ensure she stays away from Stevie.”
“Make sure she doesn’t try to have her banned,” Dawn adds.
“I will ensure the nursing staff knows Stevie is on the priority list and no one is to remove her visitation rights without consultation with me. If she tries anything, I’ll deal with it.”
“Thank you, Hugh,” Mom says.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, “I don’t mean to cause extra trouble.”
