Page 63 of Ruthless Blade

I nodded and sank into the chair next to her. My leg bounced, hands gripping my knees. The clock on the wall was ticking away extremely slowly, as if every second that passed was like another hour.

Dylan sat down on my other side. “You okay?”

What do you think? I didn’t respond, there were too many emotions and thoughts going through my mind. If I talked, I’d probably snap.

The automatic doors slid open again, and Lexi’s mom rushed in.

Her face was pale, her eyes were wide and frantic. She went straight to the front desk, her voice shaking as she spoke to the nurse. "My daughter, Alexis Hamilton, was brought in about an hour ago.”

The nurse said something I couldn't hear, and Lexi’s mom nodded. She backed away from the counter, turning towards us. Her gaze met mine and tears filled her eyes, “Kayden,” a sob escaped her lips. I stood up and gave her a hug, because despite how Lexi felt towards her mom, we’d always been somewhat close. She was there for me when my parents weren’t, and I’ll never forget that, despite how I felt about how she treated her.

A few minutes later, a doctor came out. He was a middle aged man in scrubs, and his eyebrows rested naturally, and his forehead was clear of wrinkles. To me that meant he was calm, and that there was no need to worry. At least, that’s what I hope. She’s fine. She has to be. She’s a fighter.

Lexi’s mom turned towards him, and I went to stand next to her.

Dylan grabbed my arm. "Kayden..."

"I need to hear this."

I’m supposed to protect her, and once again I didn’t. I failed her time and time again.

I walked over, staying a few feet back, but close enough to listen.

The doctor spoke in a low voice, but I caught most of it. She had a concussion, bruised ribs, cuts and bruises all over. They were running more tests to make sure there was no internal bleeding. She was stable, but they wanted to keep her overnight for observation.

Lexi's mom covered her mouth with her hand, eyes filling with tears. "Can I see her?"

I wondered if she was remembering the last time she was called and told to rush to the hospital for her kid.

"Yes, you can follow me.”

She nodded, wiping her eyes, and then turned and saw me standing there.

"She's going to be okay." Her voice cracked on the last word, her lips trembling. “I’ve been awful to her. What the hell is wrong with me?”

"She's strong; she’ll be okay.” I said the words, but I wasn’t confident. She’s already been through too much.

She nodded, wiping her eyes again. Then she looked at the doctor. "Can he come back with me?"

The doctor hesitated. "Family only right now.”

"He is family," she said firmly. “He’s her stepbrother.”

The word hit me like a punch to the gut.

Stepbrother.

That's what I told Lexi we had to be. It's what I'd insisted on, even though every part of me wanted something else.

Needed something else.

The doctor looked at me, then back at Lexi's mom. "I'm sorry, just you for now.”

She started to argue, but I shook my head. "It's okay."

She looked at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine. Then she reached out and squeezed my arm. "Thank you for being here."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.