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One by one everyone drifts out, and the nurse talks to the doctors for a few moments, shooting me annoyed looks.
I don’t care. Not even when she comes back to me and says softly, “He’ll be all right now, girl. You need to rest, too.”
“I want to stay.” I plead with my eyes for her to understand. I can’t leave him alone again, not yet, not now.
“All right.” She sighs and shrugs. “I’ll be in the nurses’ room at the end of the corridor if you need anything.”
She draws the curtains closed and leaves. The door closes, and it’s just me and him again. I walk to the bed and take my usual seat, pull out my drawing pad and pencil, and dash a hand over my face, because my cheeks are wet.
“I’m here,” I say. “It’s me, Dakota, and I’ll be right here until you open your eyes and see me.”
“How is everyone?” I ask, cradling Mom’s cell between my cheek and shoulder as I open the door and step outside. Still haven’t had time to buy a new one. I can’t leave Zane alone.
It’s late afternoon, and the sky is full of colors. I breathe in the fresh air and close my eyes.
“Fine,” Dad mutters. “As well as they can be. When will you be coming, Koty? Aunt Carolina keeps as
king for you, and your mom… she’d like you by her side.”
“I know. You think I don’t know? But I can’t. Not yet.”
“Why? You said a friend of yours was hurt?”
“Yeah.” I swallow hard, a lump in my throat.
“Oh, honey…” He’s silent for a moment, and that’s good, because I need the time to pull myself together.
“He’s getting better.”
“Is he your boyfriend?”
I shake my head, although he can’t see it. Don’t know what Zane and I are. Doesn’t matter. “Got to go now, Dad.”
“Okay, Koty. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do.”
I disconnect the call and draw in breath after breath. Zane is mostly asleep, but the few times he’s been awake, he doesn’t seem to see me. It’s scaring me. The doctors aren’t sure what’s wrong.
“Dakota!” The male voice sounds urgent, and I turn on my heel to see Rafe running toward me.
Shit. “What’s going on? Did something happen?” My heart booms.
“No. He’s okay. He’s just…” Rafe bends over panting. “He asked about you.”
“He did?” Hope flares, burning bright. “Is he fully awake now? I’m going to—”
“Dakota, wait.” He tucks his blond hair behind an ear as he straightens. “He’s a bit confused.”
“What do you mean?”
“He thinks…” Rafe frowns. “He thinks you’re dying.”
“What?” I gape at him.
“Are you sick?”
“Sick?”
