“I need to see her.”
Before I could react, Lily tried to sit up on her own, and fuck, watching her arms barely have the strength to push herself up and her legs trembling beneath the blanket like a baby giraffe learning how to walk for the first time was an absolute punch to the gut.
“Hey, hey, hey, easy, slow down.” I tried to calm her.
It was a message to both of us, really, since I needed the reminder to lock my emotions down tight and not let her see how shaken I truly felt on the inside.
“No, Jaxon, I need to see Ari.” I hated hearing the distress in her voice, but I also understood the desperation to lay her eyes on her friend.
“I know. What I’m trying to say is, slow down for just a second. Boden is going to go get us a wheelchair, and I promise, we will take you to see her.”
“On it,” Boden called out over the sound of his chair scraping against the floor tiles.
“I’m sorry, I just—” The defeat in her tone was palpable.
“It’s all good. I felt the same way when I woke up. Everyone, the doctors, nurses, even my parents, they all kept telling me you were resting and were going to be okay. But I had to see it for myself. Nothing short of seeing you with my own eyes was ever going to calm me down. So trust me, I get it.”
“All righty, your Uber driver extraordinaire has arrived.” Boden appeared at the foot of the bed with a grin before his eyes squinted like he’d been blinded. “Ah, hell no, Fisher, I didn’t sign up to see your hairy ass today.”
“Shit,” I groaned and reached back for the ties to tie up my gown. “I had to undo it while lying down; it was too restrictive and my ass isn’t hairy you jerk.”
“Okay, sure, but that still doesn’t explain why you’re naked under the gown.”
“Everything I had on went into a bag to stop any further contamination.”
“How many nurses have you flashed?”
“None, just my parents.”
“Oh, snap.” His deep, hearty laughter filled the room. “Seriously, that’s some funny shit.”
“Glad I can provide the entertainment. Now, if you wouldn’t mind.” I waved my hand, gesturing for him to bring the chair closer to Lily while I climbed off the bed.
“Jaxon.” My name crossed her lips with alarm.
“Whoa.” Boden grabbed me by the upper arm to help steady my balance. “Easy there, brother.”
“Just getting my sea legs back is all.”
“Change of plans, you sit first and hold Lily on your lap?”
“Nah, I’m good. I promise.”
My body ached a little, but I had no intention of letting it show. The faster I worked through the discomfort deep in my muscles and pushed forward, the sooner I could help Lily with her rehabilitation, which we were warned could take another month or two before she could go home.
I pushed the wheelchair down the hallway, taking slow, measured steps, while Boden had my six. The guy was loyal to a fault, and while I disliked accepting help, I knew there was no judgment.
We were family.
“This is as far as I go,” Boden said as we approached Arizona’s room.
“You’re not coming in?” I asked.
“I dropped off food for them on my way in. The four of you need this time alone.”
“Thank you for everything.” I didn’t have to say anything else; he knew from my expression how grateful I was for everything he’d done.
“Always.” He nodded before lowering to his haunches in front of Lily. “Lakelyn sends her love, and if there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’re family.”
