Page 35 of Unraveled

“Hi,” I croaked out, my lips and throat both dry.

My mother’s voice cut through. “She’s awake. How do you feel? Are you in any pain? It took closer to three hours, which went by quite slowly, especially in a waiting room full of people…”

I tuned her out. Maybe the aftereffects of the anesthesia gave me the ability, but I think it was just a straight-up survival instinct. At this point, I couldn’t bear to hear the details of how my surgery had affected her.

Luckily, the pretty blond nurse intervened. “Hi, honey. What’s your name?”

“Layla Olson.”

“Do you remember where you are?”

“Hospital.”

“Good. You’re in the recovery area, but we’ll take you up to your room in the next half hour. Dr. Gupta indicated he’d be by after to chat with you,” the nurse told me.

“Okay. Thanks.”

I endured the next twenty minutes of my mother before getting into my own room. Once there, I told everyone I wanted to get some rest. Thankfully, Dr. Gupta had come in to tell me the surgery had gone as planned, which gave me the justification to get rid of them.

My mother spoke first. “All right. We’ll be at the hotel. We’ll be back in the morning. Don’t worry, honey. I know you can get through this. There are plenty of beautiful women who have had implants. Very good ones.”

My eyes couldn’t roll any harder over her worry about my aesthetic well-being. “Bye, Mom.” As soon as I had the all clear, I’d escape the hospital and move to the sanctuary of my apartment where I could establish my own visiting hours.

My mother came closer to hug me, but I waved her off. My entire chest felt as though I had a forty-pound weight sitting upon it. “I can’t hug.”

“I forgot. Okay, dear. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

My father blew me a kiss. “See you tomorrow, kiddo.”

I sighed with relief the minute they were both out of the room, leaving me alone with Russell and Kellan.

“I’ll be by tomorrow, too,” Russ offered.

“You don’t have to.” I’d offered he could stay at my place while my parents opted for a hotel room, but I felt bad he’d spend his entire weekend down here.

He shook his head. “I was just telling Kellan how cute your blond nurse is, so I’m definitely coming back. I mean, thank goodness you’re in the hospital. Could improve my dating game. You don’t mind if I use your apartment as my bachelor pad, do you?”

“Oh, it hurts to laugh.” Russ as a player. As if that would ever happen. “Glad I’m here to help. But be sure to change the sheets.”

He chuckled. “See, this is why I love you so much. See you tomorrow.”

I watched him walk out of the room, leaving me alone with Kellan.

He moved toward the bed. “Any contraband you want me to sneak in for you?”

“I’m probably on clear liquids the rest of tonight, but thanks.” According to the nurse who’d earlier attended me, I’d be allowed broth and some Sprite if my stomach cooperated.

He shoved his hands in his pockets, clearly at a loss as to what to say or do next. Matters were officially getting messy.

“I’m about to pass out,” I said. “Okay if I text you tomorrow?” The nurse had been nice enough to plug in my phone. I only needed to ask her to bring it to me if I wanted to call or text anyone.

“Definitely. I’m heading to the jobsite, but it’s only a few miles from here.”

By now, he had to be watching the clock, hoping to get back to work. I wouldn’t hold it against him. Clearly, he hadn’t expected to spend half a day stuck in a waiting room. “Thanks.”

“You okay?”

“I’m not sure yet.” The drugs were numbing me, not only against the pain, but also to how I was feeling emotionally. Hell, I wasn’t even embarrassed about the pee bag hanging off the side of the bed. Must have been some good stuff they were pumping into me.