Page 89 of Bastard Bartender

“Nicolás …” I whisper because everything in here seems so quiet. There’s beeping from machines and a rattling of the vibrating bed, and yet it’s stiflingly silent. “It’s me, Evette. Can you hear me?”

His chest is rising and falling with controlled breaths. I place a hand on his chest to feel his beating heart. When it thumps against my palm it’s the most amazing thing I have ever felt in my life.

I take his hand in mine. He’s cold, as I thought so I pull the sheet up to his neck and then take his hand again to try to warm it up by clasping it in mine.

“I can’t believe you’re so hurt. Just last night, you were using these strong arms to pin me up against the wall and pound me against it.” I look around with a blush, realizing I should have checked to make sure a doctor wasn’t in the room with me. I turn back to Nic and smile. “Dro told me I should say dirty things to you. As much as I’m sure you’re enjoying it, I have to admit, it feels weird, so I’m gonna stick with the usual.”

I wipe a tear away from my face and continue, “I need you to wake up. It might have only been a few weeks, but since the day I met you, you’ve been the reason I smile every day. I’ll be sitting at my desk, and a quote you said will pop into my head, and I’ll laugh to myself. When I pass the mountains, I look up and wonder if you’ve hiked that particular trail. And if I see a muscle car, I picture you driving behind the wheel. Your passion for everything is addictive. I want more of that, Nic. I want more of you. I need you. Always.”

I lean down and place my lips to his and hold them there. It’s a sad kiss, and yet I feel the warmth of his lips against mine, and it feels right.

Not wanting to take up all of his friends’ time, I kiss him good-bye again and vow to return before heading back to the waiting room.

“He’s all yours,” I tell Dro and Mario.

Logan stays behind to sit with me. The waiting room is pretty stark with a television in the far corner. I curl my foot under my butt and rest my head on my hand.

“How are you holding up?” he asks after a few minutes.

“I’m okay. You?”

“Same. I don’t believe in predicting the negative before a result is given. If you put positive energy out into the world, you fill the void it needs to thrive.”

“In that case, I’m doing great because Nic is going to wake up any minute, and we’ll take him home.”

“That’s more like it.” His smile is kind.

“And when I do get him home, I’m going to explain that he can’t do this again.”

“Good luck with that.”

I sigh. “I know you guys love the extreme, but my heart is in my throat every time he does something like this.”

He shrugs with his brows raised in half-agreement. “Mario and I enjoy the camping and fast cars. We’ll go anywhere with a view and good drinks. Dro likes the wild side of life, mostly so he can post about it and show women to make him more attractive. Don’t tell him I said that.” He laughs lightly and then scowls. “But Nic …” He pauses and then shakes his head. “He’s different. It’s almost like he’s looking at death and screaming at it in challenge. He wants that near-death experience.”

“He got one today. Hopefully, he scared himself out of doing it again,” I scoff.

“Maybe …”

“You don’t sound convinced.”

“What I think doesn’t matter. Plus, I’ve never seen Nic as close to a woman as he is with you, so there might be some magic in your words. You can tame the beast.”

“I just pray he wakes up.”

He pats my knee. “Me too, Evette. Me too.”