This right here was why I’d kept a full class schedule even though I made enough now through commissions and social media. I loved my students so much. All my life, I’d been ostracized by this town, teased and rejected and ignored, and it felt good to finally feel like I belonged. To finally feel like I had a community outside of Koa.
With the help of the parents, we managed to get fifteen three- and four-year-olds finished, cleaned, and packed up relatively quickly. I made sure everything was off and that the last person was out before locking up and running out of there. I had sent out a mass text alert that classes were canceled and updated the website. All the housekeeping was done. Now it was time to see Cara.
I never thought I’d be happy to have to rush to the hospital, but I was. My fingers constantly drummed on the steering wheel as I drove, the anticipation and nerves making it impossible for me to stay still.
I had no idea what to expect when I got there. She was responsive, so that had to be a positive sign, but the doctors had warned me there might be some cognitive damage. I had to remind myself that everything might not be sunshine and roses. That Cara would likely still have a long road ahead of her. Regardless, I would be there for her every step of the way, like she had always been for me.
Thankfully, it was fairly easy to find a parking spot. It had been hit or miss depending on how busy it was, but I got one somewhere in the middle of the lot and then fucking sprinted, something I could safely say I’d never done voluntarily, into the hospital.
Cara was finally awake.
Everyone in the cardiac department knew me by now, so I was buzzed through quickly and beelined to her room.
I froze at the doorway. Cara was propped up, a tray across the bed with a cup of water. Her eyes were closed, but she opened them when she heard me.
“Riot.” Her smile was weak but genuine, and me being the completely composed and logical person I was, burst into fucking tears.
“Oh, honey. It’s okay. I’m fine.”
Shit. I wiped my eyes, looking away. I needed to get my shit together. Cara was the one who’d just woken up from a coma. She shouldn’t be comforting me.
“Sorry.” I laughed wetly. “God, I was so fucking scared.”
“Come here, Riot. I need a hug.”
I walked forward but hesitated again when I was at the side of her bed. She looked so frail. The strongest person I knew and she seemed so damn breakable.
“I-I don’t want to hurt you.”
She shook her head. “You won’t. Come here, Riot.” Her voice was still rough from disuse, but her tone brooked no argument.
Shaking my head with a small smile on my face, I sat on the edge of the mattress, careful not to touch anything. She held her arm out for me, and fuck—for the second time in a few minutes, I broke.
“Cara—”
“Shhh, it’s okay. I’m okay. The doctors said I should make a full recovery. I’ll need to rehab for a while, but I’m not going anywhere.”
I hadn’t allowed myself to think about it, but once she said the words, it sunk in how fucking terrified I’d been to lose her. Maybe it was selfish, but I needed her. We all did.
A single tear ran down Cara’s cheek, and I gently wiped it with my thumb, careful not to touch the tubes in her nose.
“Enough of this,” she said gently. “Catch me up on everything.”
My lips twisted. “Maybe you should rest?”
“I’ve been resting for days. I need the gossip. I’ll nap after.”
I kept things brief because despite her words, I could see how tired Cara was. I started with the shop, assuring her I was keeping everything running and relaying how everyone had been asking about her.
“And Koa and the kids? I miss them.”
“They miss you too. Koa and the older ones will come visit as soon as they can. And once you’re out of here and feeling up to it, I’ll bring the little ones. Hawk misses you a lot. He keeps asking about you.”
“Aww, my baby. I miss him too.”
I debated telling her everything that was going on with us, the developments in my and Koa’s relationship and everything with Wynter, but the exhaustion was becoming evident. I kissed Cara’s cheek. “Get some rest. I’ll share the rest of the tea when you wake up.”
“Promise?”
