There’s silence on the other end of the line. “King, you there?”
I can hear someone laughing. Oh shit. I’m on speaker. I forgot that all my cousins are still in New York. “Well, if it isn’t the mighty Jackson Bennett saying he’s sorry. I always thought you didn’t have that word in your vocabulary,” I hear Angel, my middle cousin, saying with wonder in his tone.
“Oh, shut up, Lucifer. I don’t have time for you and your evil ways.”
He chuckles. “Come up with new insults, and I might reconsider.”
“Jax, do you need us there?” Big O asks over his brother’s remark.
“I’ll be fine. I just need to wait and see what happens.”
“You know, you need a new assistant now that Tiffany is out of your life,” King voices out loud.
“I know. But can we talk about it when I’m sober and out of this ER waiting room?”
“Sure, but it’s something we must consider ASAP. You know you need help with the orders and inventory.”
I run my hand over my face. Of course, he’s right. My dyslexia can be tricky, and there were incorrect orders before I got help. “For now, let’s not focus on the shop; instead, make me forget what happened tonight.”
After minutes of small talk and them trying to cheer me up, I say bye to my cousins. I wonder where I can get a fresh cup of coffee around here. I know it’ll most likely taste like poison, but I need a pick-me-up right fucking now. My head is sobering up, and I could sleep for days. Walking around the corner, I hear Eli and Rose talking next to the vending and coffee machines.
“I’m worried about her, Eli. She can’t work now that she hurt her arm, and let’s not forget what her boss might think of tonight’s events.”
“I can give her money if there’s any need. You know that, right?”
“Are you sure? I would hate to see her family suffering if she can’t support them.” Rose sounds hesitant.
“I’m sure, gorgeous. She’s said no before, but we can come up with something now that she’ll be off work for some time. I can only assume that after what happened tonight, she won’t be welcomed back to Warm’n’Cool.”
She sobs quietly. “I know, but her family needs her. She needs to be able to work soon.”
Eli takes her into his arms, and I’m astonished after hearing all that. Does Soph have a family? Like kids? A husband? I didn’t notice a ring. I fucking flirted with her all night and last summer too. Even if I’m irritated with Soph, I don’t wish her any loss of earnings.
I can hate her while wanting to help her simultaneously. Right?
When did my life get so fucking complicated?
Someone pokes me in my ribs, waking me up. I crack my eyes open and see one of my best friends. “Fuck, Ollie, what did you do that for, asshole?”
“You didn’t wake up even when I tried to shake you. I had no other option than either poking or slapping you. You should be glad that I chose the first option,” he assures me, his face full of innocence.
“Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that. What’s happening?” I look around and don’t see our friends. “Where’s everyone?”
“Eli just left with Rose and Haisley. Soph woke up around an hour ago, and they saw her first. She asked for you before she fell asleep again. The nurses have your name if you want to say hi or something.”
He must be insane. “Say hi or something? Are you fucking kidding me? She crashed my bike tonight,” I shout and get up. I need to get out of this fucking hospital now that she’s up and still alive. That’s all I need to know.
I start walking towards the exit when I hear him speak. “I wouldn’t walk out of that door if I were you. I know you’re mad at her, but don’t you want to know why she did it?”
Shit. Ollie truly knows me. He knows that I’m curious to find out what happened tonight. Turning around, I give him a look that says everything. Ollie raises his hands in a don’t-shoot-the-messenger gesture.
“What room is she in?” I growl through clenched teeth.
“Room 709.”
“Thanks. Sorry if I was a dick to you. I’m just a bit hungover and regretting my life decisions.”
“I know, man, I know. You’re having a rough time, and we’ll get through it together. Just make sure that you aren’t too mean to Soph. She’s getting over the shock of the accident like you are.” He turns to walk out and looks over his shoulder. “Don’t forget to check your phone. It was vibrating earlier.”
