I believed I understood what or rather who Michael is, but maybe I don’t.
Actually, if this is what being the head of the Ellsworth empire does to Eli, then I know for a fact I didn’t and still don’t fucking understand what it means.
The only one left standing.
That’s the loneliest sentence I’ve ever heard.
What would I do if I literally had no one to rely on?
“You have me.” I speak without processing the thought, but when I have, I realize that maybe I can be useful somehow. “I can’t do any of the shit you’re doing, angel.”
I refuse to stop thinking of him as my angel. It’s what he is to me, no matter what. It’s what he’s always going to be.
“But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. So yeah, you have me.” I close the space between us and take his free hand, cupping his cheek with my other hand. “You can keep making your calls, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to just leave you alone. Hell, I don’t want to be alone either, especially right now.”
Facing this alone isn’t an option, but I didn’t even think about calling Dad until Eli told me to.
Letting Eli face this alone isn’t something I’m capable of doing.
For better or worse, we’re in this together.
This is the worse.
I kiss him slowly, maybe using it to help us slow down, maybe to reassure myself that even when he’s like this, he’s still my angel.
It doesn’t matter because the end result is that I get to stop feeling like I might actually die for the first time since Austin told us about the accident.
Or maybe not an accident.
With that niggling thought, I pull back, and before I can even start to debate whether I should ask about the million calls or leave it be, the door opens.
My heart leaps to my throat, but I deflate when I recognize Dad’s hulking figure behind his movie star girlfriend.
They’re both worried, frantic, and asking the same questions I have about Mom and Michael’s conditions, but since we don’t know, they deflate too.
It’s not until thirty more agonizing minutes pass that a doctor finally comes in. He’s a short balding man but has kind eyes, and he has a plastic bag in his hand, though I can’t see what’s in it.
“I’m Dr. Kully, I’ve been overseeing the treatment of Mrs. Storm, Mr. Troy West, Mr. Roberto Silverado, and Mr. Ellsworth.”
“How are they?” I ask, not hiding my desperation.
“Mr. West is currently in surgery, they’re repairing a bad break in his arm and he has a severe concussion. Mr. Silverado only has a mild concussion and is with Mrs. Storm. She’s awake and asking about her husband and children. She has a broken arm and a very mild concussion. She’ll make a full recovery. Nurse Reed is outside waiting to take you to them both.” He nods back as if we’re all just going to go, but...
“What about Michael?” Dad asks.
“Mr. West brought in some paperwork stating that the details of any medical procedures and the condition of Mr. Ellsworth can only be shared with his son, and he’s the only one authorized to make medical decisions for him if he’s unable to himself. Even if you say it’s all right to share them,” he says, looking at Eli then at me. “I can’t.”
The sudden silence is way too loud, but with how he’s been acting, it doesn’t surprise me when Eli’s the one to break it.
“Right.” He turns to look up at me, squeezes my hand, and I see a hint of my angel when he smiles reassuringly. “You go see yourmom. I’m sure she wants to see you too. I’ll come find you when I can.”
Despite his stony façade, he can’t hide how hard this is for him, not from me.
“Angel,” I start, but snap my mouth shut when he closes his eyes tightly and shakes his head once.
“Go. Tell Lyla I’ll take care of Dad.”
“Of course you will,” I whisper. Then, not giving one single fuck who sees, I kiss him again. Hard and short, but it’s the only thing I can do.
