“Try.”
Jack glanced at Matt before saying, “I have a feeling your hero will make sure you don’t.”
My eyes were glued to Matt’s as Jack said, “Don’t forget, you have another brother and he’s wearing down the tile outside your room.”
“In a minute.”
I desperately needed to talk to Matt. To confirm he was okay. Dad was vague when he explained the extent of Matt's injuries, and Mom wasn't any more forthcoming. So naturally I thought they were hiding the truth.
“We’ll give you two some privacy,” Mom said before kissing my forehead. “We’ll be right outside.”
I nodded my appreciation.
“Need a push?” Dad asked Matt, who answered by standing, grabbing his IV stand, and striding to my bedside.
His left arm was wrapped in a soft cast from his hand to his elbow.
His eyes were more red than white.
His voice sounded as awful as mine when he choked out, “Madi.”
One word. But it was filled with so much emotion that I burst into tears.
I’d been so determined to deny how I felt that I’d refused his help.
Now we were both in the hospital, scarred—physically and mentally—for life.
I gritted out my longest sentence since waking up. “I’m so sorry.”
“Not your fault.” Matt reached for my hand, but stopped when he saw the bandages that extended to my palms.
“Should hav—”
His right index finger pressed my lips. “Not to blame.”
I added another conversation I needed to have after I’d healed enough to talk.
There was one thing I needed to say that couldn’t wait. Blinking away my tears, I said, “Thank you.”
“Red.”
He stared deep into my eyes, which were no doubt as red as his. Matt opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. Closed it again.
Doubt crossed his eyes as I waited for him to speak.
Then he shrugged, as if to say, fuck it.
“Do you know you were the first?” He coughed before continuing. “The first and only.”
First and only?
“First what?”
“First woman I ever slept beside.”
That didn’t make sense; he’d had a string of lovers before me.And probably after.
Jealousy I had no right feeling reared it's ugly head.
