“Ryan said Austin knows about his leg now, but I shouldn’t talk about it, right?” I asked, wanting to do and say the right things so I didn’t make things worse.
“I wouldn’t unless he does. He’s still adjusting to the shock.”
“Okay.” That made perfect sense to me. I’d be crying my eyes out if I woke up and found out my leg had been amputated. Sure, I’d eventually accept it and carry on with my life, but it’d take a long time.
The door behind Bryce opened, and a young male nurse stepped out. “He’s hungry, so I’ll be back in a few minutes with some food.”
“Is that a good sign?” I asked.
The nurse looked at Bryce but didn’t answer.
“You can speak freely in front of Miss Novak,” Bryce said, giving the nurse permission.
“It is. Food will help keep his strength up.”
“I’ll make sure he eats,” Bryce assured him.
The nurse nodded. “I’ll be back.”
Bryce looked at me and asked, “Ready?”
As ready as I’ll ever be, I thought as I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded.
“Hey big brother, look who I found.” Bryce sounded completely different as he walked in ahead of me.
“You sound too fucking happy,” Austin’s grumble turned into a smile when I stepped beside his brother. “Nina,” he whispered.
“Austin.” I closed the gap and stood next to the left side of his bed, forcing myself to look anywhere except the empty space where his leg should be.
He sat up in his angled bed, and extra blankets covered his legs despite the warmth in the room.
Leg.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said, reaching for my hand.
I willingly took it and squeezed as tears formed in my eyes.
“Hey, it’s okay.”
It was all too much. The damn broke and tears gushed from my eyes as words tumbled from my lips.
“I’m so sorry. If I’d just told them, then you’d be okay. They threatened to kill you.”
“Shhh,” Austin rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb.
“I’m so,” sniffle, “sorry. You’re laying here without your leg and I’m sobbing like a baby. I should be asking you if you’re okay, but obviously you’re not.”
“Cherry, baby, listen to me. None of this is your fault.”
I hiccuped as I tried to stem my flow of tears.
Austin deserved better than my breakdown. He deserved the courage he believed I possessed.
“You did everything right. You stalled long enough for Shepherd Security and SSI to save us.”
“I did?” Shock replaced a good portion of my guilt.
“You did.”
