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“She’s been staying with my mom.”
I nod slowly and side-eye him. “Does she know what happened?”
He nods with a frown. “She’s been asking to come see you, but I didn’t want her to see you like this just yet.”
That’s understandable. “Are you okay?”
Easton chuckles and shakes his head, amusement shining in his eyes. “You’re the one who got into an accident and you’re asking if I’m okay?”
I shrug. “I know how something like this would be making you feel, so I’m just checking.”
“It’s been tough,” he says. “But I’ve also been doing very well with therapy and I’m trying not to let that fear take over again.”
What does that mean?
I honestly don’t have the brain capacity to worry about that right now.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Easton asks with a frown on his face. “You just left without saying goodbye?”
“I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it if you tried asking me to stay, but I also couldn’t be around you without hurting. I just wanted the pain to go away.” It’s the most honest I’ve been with him about things and it’s all I’m going to give him right now. The last thing I want to do is talk about why I left in the first place.
He nods in understanding and lets his head fall. A soft knock on the door frame catches our attention and I smile at my best friend standing a few feet away. “Sav.”
She sucks in a breath, then hurries over to me and wraps her arms around my back before pulling away with tears shining in her eyes. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
I chuckle. “I’ll try.”
Easton clears his throat beside us and stands up. “I’ll give you guys a few minutes. I should probably call Bethany and let her know you’re awake.” He glances at me briefly, studying me to make sure I’m really okay, then walks slowly out of the room without another word.
Savanna sighs and smirks. “I thought he’d never leave. He’s been next to you the entire time, holding your hand and everything. He wouldn’t leave until you woke up, so maybe he’ll finally go home and get that shower he’s in desperate need of.”
“Is he really okay?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know, honestly. He’s been telling me he is, but I can’t tell if I should believe him or not. I’m sure there’s a million things running through his mind, though.”
I nod and close my eyes for a second before opening them back up. “How bad was the accident?”
I’m trying to remember what happened, but everything is still blank. The doctor didn’t tell me if that was normal, but hopefully I’ll get bits and pieces of memory back as time goes on.
Savanna shakes her head. “It was bad, Autumn. I was terrified as soon as I saw your car on the news, then I got a call from the hospital that you were in surgery and I’ve been here ever since.”
Another knock sounds on the door, interrupting our conversation, and a nurse makes her way inside. “I’ve got your pain meds,” she says softly. “Are you having any other pain?” While I shake my head and she fiddles with the blood pressure cuff, I swallow down the pain pills she drops into my hand.
It’s silent for a few minutes while she gets my stats, then she’s gathering her things and giving me a nod before leaving the room.
Easton comes back into the room and gives Savanna a look that makes her rise from the chair and she gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m going to head home, but I’ll come back in a little while to talk some more. I love you and I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Me too,” I whisper, then watch as she disappears around the corner while Easton sits in the chair next to me. “Shouldn’t you be going home?”
He sighs. “I’m not sure I can do that just yet.”
“Is everything okay?”
“There’s something I should tell you.” Something about the waver in his voice puts me on high alert and I raise a brow in response. He clears his throat and says, “I just hate that your accident is the reason I’m telling you.”
“Well, what is it?” He’s scaring me, but I’m not about to admit that right now.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time with my therapist, talking about my feelings and how to be more forthcoming with them,” he says as he places his palm over mine. “And I feel like there’s something you should know after all that’s happened.”
