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But if there is a God…
Please, please let Grayson be okay.
As we sit in the dim hospital hallway, the events of the night flood back to me in flashes. The screech of tires, the sound of shattering glass, the feeling of being tossed around like a ragdoll in the collision. Harrison’s sneers and pure, unadulterated hatred. The feel of the gun in my hand as I pull the trigger. The sound of the bullet hitting flesh. The horrid stench of blood. It all feels like a nightmare I can’t wake up from.
As the minutes tick by in silence, I let myself lean into Colton’s strength, letting go of some of the tension that has been coiled tight within me since I woke up, kidnapped and bound by Harrison.
In the midst of all the questions and confusion, his steady presence is like an anchor keeping me from drifting away in a sea of uncertainty. I squeeze his hand back, drawing strength from his touch.
My father would have a heart attack if he were to find me like this — holding hands with who is supposed to be the enemy…finding solace in Colton Bennett in the midst of chaos.
***
I must have dozed off, because the next thing I know, I’m being shaken awake. I sit up with a gasp, my eyes landing on the doctor who has been operating on Grayson.
Lurching forward, I come to my feet. “How is he? Is Grayson okay? Is he awake?”
The doctor rubs a hand over his face, before letting out a small sigh. “Mr. Hale’s injuries are…severe,” he starts, first focusing on Grayson’s uncle, before he meets my eyes.
When he grimaces, my heart thunders in my chest.
“We were able to stop the abdominal bleeding, but as for the head injury, it was extremely traumatic. He has severe brain swelling and there’s damage that we have done our very best to repair.” The doctor swallows, his gaze shifting to something that looks akin to remorse. “I think you should prepare yourself in the case that he may never recover from this.”
“What are you saying?” Grayson’s aunt gasps weakly.
“Mr. Hale may never wake up—”
I don’t hear the rest of his sentence. Blood rushes between my ears with a loud roar. The world spins and cold sweat covers every inch of my clammy body.
Grayson might never wake up.
His brain injury is so severe…that he may end up in a coma.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Grayson Hale — my first love, the man who showed me that the world is capable of kindness. The man who walked into my life, with his big heart and beautiful smile. He was both mysteriously complicated and beautifully broken. That Grayson…may never wake up again.
To never hear his voice.
To never see his smile.
To never feel his warmth.
My stomach revolts and nausea builds. Acidic bile fills my mouth and I fight the urge to gag. Tears slide down my cheeks and my throat closes up. The disgusting feeling of sickness surges through me, clawing under my flesh like a poisoned disease.
I hear someone calling my name with urgency.
Colton maybe…
I feel his arms around me.
Thud.
Thud.
