“Given her pre-existing condition, her body is in survival mode. It’s not uncommon for patients like her to remain unconscious longer. But I want to be clear, this is delicate. Her vitals are stable, but we’re concerned about infection risk. She’s in isolation for that reason. We’ll update you if anything changes.”
Olivia nods, even though I can tell none of this is sinking in. She’s staring at the wall behind him now. Her grip tightens on her own fingers, knuckles white.
“Hey,” I say softly, leaning in. “You okay?” She nods too fast. Her jaw locks.
I turn back to the doctor. “Can you write that all down? Everything you just said.”
He glances between us, then gives a small nod. “Of course.”
Once he leaves, Olivia sags into the plastic waiting chair like the air’s been ripped from her lungs. I crouch in front of her.
“You did good,” I say. “You were strong.”
Her eyes glass over again. “They aren’t even awake.”
“They’re fighting. Like you. That’s what matters right now.”
She takes a shaky breath and rests her forehead against my shoulder. I stay there, letting her lean. Letting her fall apart if she needs to. Because I’m not going anywhere.
I give her some time, then tell her to go see her dad at least. Telling her we can stay for as long as she wants.
“Are you not coming?” she asks, as I help her to stand, and make our way to the room.
“I have to make a phone call.” Giving her a kiss as we get to her dad’s room, I walk back outside of the hospital and pull my phone out. “Hey.”
“How can I help you today brother? Not had sex in a while, you've forgotten how to do it?” Miles jokes, and I tell him to fuck off. “Joking, what’s up?”
“Can you see if you can find out who crashed into Olivia’s parents’ car, the fucker ran off and before you say it, no Cain cannot know about it. If he finds out, I’ll take full blame.” We all know Cain’s rules. Nothing is personal, you do the job he and dad pick. We don’t do anything unless they both agree to it.
“I’ll get back to you.” Miles ends the call, and I look back at the hospital, wondering how long Olivia will want to be here.
Walking back into the waiting room, I wait for my girl to come back out, so I can spend the whole day with her, and catch up for lost time.
Walking in the corridor to Olivia’s dorm, I see how all the other students are looking at us, and by the time we exit this room tonight, the whole campus will know we’re together. Do I care? Fuck no, if I could tell everyone myself I would.
“I hate that they’re staring,” Olivia starts digging through her bag for the keys, and once she gets them out I take them off her and pull her closer to me.
“And I don’t give a shit that they’re staring at us.” I push her against the door, and kiss her so hard, I want her to lose her breath. “And now they will all talk about how much I’m going to fuck you behind the door.” I smile as I open the door not pulling away from her, and the moment we are both inside I slam the door shut and lock it.
I keep her pinned against me for another long, drugging kiss, tongue stroking deep, teeth grazing her lower lip just enough to make her whimper into my mouth. I’m never going to get bored of kissing her.
Her hands are clutching my shirt like it’s the only thing keeping her upright. I can feel how fast her heart is hammering against my chest.
When I finally pull back an inch away from her, her lips are swollen, eyes dazed and glassy.
“Hayden…” Her voice is small, shaky.
I cup her jaw, thumb sweeping across her cheekbone. “You still want this?”
She nods immediately. “Yes. Please.”
Thatplease, soft, needy, snaps something low in my gut.
I slide both hands down to her hips, lift her clean off the floor. Her legs wrap around me on instinct, a tiny, surprised sound escapes her when her back leaves the door, and I carry her straight to the bed. I don’t rush. I want her to feel every second of being held, wanted, taken care of.
This is something she deserve, she needs to know sex is fucking amazing, not the horror she had at prom.
I set her down on the edge of the mattress, standing between her knees so she has to tilt her head to look up at me.
