Blake, Ritter, Everett, Doyle, and Griffin cast curious glances in my direction before following. I don’t know what Jasper said to the guys, but I can’t worry about that now.
Theo has a hushed conversation with Adam and Isabelle while Jasper and Dane approach me.
“We’ll see you at home later.” Jasper pats me on the back.
“Thanks for being here.” I pound Dane’s fist, and they both nod their respects to Zac’s parents.
When I turn back to them, Isabelle pulls me in for a hug. “He’s going to be okay, honey.”
My throat clogs, and I work to clear it. “I know.”
“Will you be okay while we go see him?”
I nod.
She kisses me on the cheek, and Adam squeezes the back of my neck before leading her over to the waiting nurse.
I flop into the nearest chair with a heavy sigh and drop my head into my hands. Everything from the past twelve hours catches up with me, and my shoulders shake with my silent sobs.
Zac’s going to be okay.
And when he finally wakes up, I’m not holding anything back.
He’s the light that drew me from the shadows, helping me face my fears and giving me the courage to be me. No more masks, no more hiding.
I love him.
No. I’min lovewith him.
Chapter 34
Zac
Aslow, methodical beeping pulls me from the darkness, my mouth tasting like sandpaper as I fight to peel my eyes open. A dull throbbing in my skull causes me to groan, and I blink heavily.
“Zac, honey?”
Mum’s voice sounds like it’s coming from under-water. A soft hand brushes my hair off my face.
Another hand, this one larger, heavier, squeezes mine.
I blink again, trying to clear my blurred vision as a strange room slowly comes into focus. It takes a second for me to register I’m in hospital.
“Oh, Zac.”
The relief in Mum’s voice causes my chest to tighten, then I see her face. Her red-rimmed eyes, the tired smile.
Dad appears over her shoulder, frown lines marring his usually jovial expression.
“How are you feeling, mate?”
I try to swallow, but my mouth is drier than the Sahara Desert. “W-water,” I croak out.
A moment later, a straw prods my lips, and I take a deep pull.
“W-what happened?” My throat’s raw, and I grimace.
“You were in a car accident,” Mum explains, voice gentle.
