“Nina, Austin is resilient and surrounded by people who love him. He’ll need time, but he’ll adjust,” John said.
Mary added, “And we’ll be here every step of the way to help.”
I nodded, too many and not enough words swirling through my mind.
“He’s asking for you,” John said.
“Me? Why?”
Mary chuckled. “Nina, my nephew is in love with you.”
He couldn’t be. I was just the nobody of a girl who’d caused him a world of trouble.
“But he lost his leg because of me.”
“None of this is your fault,” Ryan reminded me, but I still didn’t believe him.
“Bryce,” at my confused look, John explained, “he’s Austin’s brother, said Austin doesn’t know yet.”
How could he not know? He had a leg yesterday and today he doesn’t.
It occurred to me that the doctors probably had him on heavy painkillers.
“When you visit him, you can’t say anything.”
How was I supposed to avoid staring at his missing leg? Or not cry? What if I slipped up?
I don’t think I can.
“It’s okay to say no if you’re not ready,” Mary said.
But how could I say no after everything he’d done for me?
The steely eyed man I’d fallen in love with had given me back the early years my life. If it hadn’t been for him, I never would’ve known who my parents were. I never would’ve known their story. My story.
You have your parents’ courage, their strength. Austin’s words came back to me. I could do this; I could be strong for him like he’d been strong for me.
After making up my mind, I said, “No, I’ll go see him. I just need a minute.”
To compose myself. To stop crying. To find the energy to smile.
John looked down at his phone. “Dalton said he’s asleep, so you’ve got some time.”
I hated that my predominant feeling was relief.
As desperate as I was to see him, I wasn’t ready to face Austin and try to hide my heartbreak at what he’d given up.
“Why don’t you try to get some rest while you wait,” Mary said, squeezing my hand. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”
I drifted off, grateful to Mary for filling my vacant mom role.
Chapter 64
Austin
Something’s off.
As I slowly opened my eyes, I didn’t need my vision to clear to know the colorless room and beeping machine meant I was in the hospital.
