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“Yeah, I mean, I…shit, I just thought you might be like Batman or something.”
Ethan laughs now, but it’s not patronizing or mocking or anything. “Actually, I always kinda thought of myself as more of a Bruce Wayne,” he says with a smirk. My jaw drops as I remember the conversation Delaney and I had ages ago in that coffee shop when we shared a breakfast that could almost have been our first date. “But seriously, Alex,” he continues, apparently unfazed by my stupid comments. “Is there anything you need? Anything at all?”
I glance at my dad who raises his brow and gives me a weird smartass smirk, before I turn back to Ethan. “No, I’m good. Thanks though.”
He nods, looking quickly at the monitors behind me before turning back to me. “Take as long as need,” he continues. “Whatever you need, don’t hesitate to ask and when you’re ready to come back to work…” he trails off, giving me a quick smile before continuing. “Come find me, let’s talk. I have some ideas for your future at Badger Creek I want to run by you.”
“Okay,” I say, confused. From the corner of my eye, I see my dad’s reaction, the smile that tugs at his mouth that almost, almost looks like a smile of pride. “Thank you,” I add, turning back to my boss.
Ethan nods once, holding his hand out to me again. This time I take it, not missing the firm grip as he shakes my hand quickly and says, “Thank you, Alex. Words can’t express how grateful I am that you and Delaney survived this. Anything you need. Anything at all, just let me know.”
He slips a hand into his pocket, pulling out a business card which he holds up to me before putting it on the table beside the bed. I nod in his direction as I say again, “Thank you.”
He puts his hands in the pockets of his pants, pausing briefly to offer me a warm smile. “We are so glad you’re alive. So grateful you both survived.”
And before I can say anything more, he turns, nods once in my dad’s direction before walking out of the room.
I half expect my dad to start in on his standard lecture about my job and future and how a guy like Ethan Morrison could offer me so many amazing opportunities. But he doesn’t, instead, walking back over and taking a seat on the side of my bed.
“So, you wanna tell me more about this girl of yours?” he asks.
I look up, still unable to process this alternate reality I feel like I’ve stepped into. And as I open my mouth to tell him all about Delaney and how fucking amazing she is and how she saved my life back in that cabin, a part of me can’t help but wonder where she is right now.
And when I’m finally going to be able to see her.
28
DELANEY
Ifeel like someone has ripped my heart from my body and walked away with it. No one understands that being away from Alex is like losing a part of me. We’ve spent every second of our lives for the last three weeks, or maybe longer, together. Never leaving each other’s side, never being apart, and just because we’ve been rescued doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with him still. He was and still is my comfort, my peace, my hope and the love of my life. Everything changed when we found ourselves trapped out there and being thrust back into normalcy is taking a toll on me.
I hated watching the helicopter leave with Alex, but I knew he needed to get medical treatment and there was only room for one of us and the rescuers. I was left at the cabin, waiting with one of the rescue team as another helicopter came for us. It was terrifying and it still is, not knowing where Alex is and if he’s okay.
I can’t stop crying as I’m hit with millions of questions from the rescuers and nurses and doctors. They think I’m in pain, that something is wrong with me, something physical, but it’s none of that. How do I tell them I’m dying inside because I don’t know what’s happening with Alex?
“Where is Alex?” I plead with one of the medics that was in the helicopter with me, walking alongside the gurney as he hands me off to another nurse. “Wait!” I now scream, reaching out for him, but he slips away, never answering my question.
I turn to the nurse, my heart hammering away, the tears spilling down my cheeks, asking her the same question.
“Who is Alex?” she responds, and I feel nothing but anger bubble up inside of me. How dare she ask a question like that? She works here. She knows there were two of us brought in. How many other rescues can they have had brought in with two people who were trapped in the wilderness?
“He was with me in the cabin. We were together until the rescue. He was sick,” I wail, my words coming out a garbled mess. “Just tell me if he’s okay.”
She stares at me for a few seconds, glancing down at her clipboard, she lets out a sigh. “I have no idea what has happened to your friend. He’s not on this floor.” She continues to go about her business like she didn’t hear the fear in my voice, like she doesn’t understand why I need to know.
Without saying anything more, she begins checking my vitals, something that was done in the helicopter and again by a nurse when the damn thing landed on the roof of the hospital. I haven’t had a moment to tell them there’s nothing wrong with me other than needing to see Alex.
I want to scream out that I’m fine. I’ve survived on my own in the wilderness for fuck’s sake, clearly I’m fine. I know Alex isn’t though and no one will tell me what’s going on.
When the nurse reaches for my arm, about to slip the blood pressure cuff on, I shove her hand away. Glaring at her, angry and confused and not caring in the least that I’m being an asshole, I shout at her, “Go find out if my boyfriend is okay!”
“He’s okay,” a voice says, pushing the curtain aside and entering the small holding area of the emergency room I’m currently in. I don’t recognize it, and I certainly don’t recognize the man who is now standing here.
A second later, Zoey steps out from behind him and the moment I see her face, I burst into tears, hard, deep guttural sobs falling from my mouth causing the nurse to move away from me. Without giving it a second thought, Zoey rushes to me, crying equally as hard.
“I thought you were dead!” she wails, clinging to me, her tear-soaked cheek pressing hard against my shoulder. I can’t speak, the words are trapped between strangled sobs and gulps of air.
Zoey pulls back, looking at me for a second, before she throws her arms around me once again. I don’t ever want to let go of her either. I don’t know what I would have done if this had been Zoey who was missing. She’s been my rock, my ride or die, my best friend and the thought of losing her has me crying even harder. I feel like I’ve cried an ocean of tears. Tears for Alex, tears when we were rescued and now tears at the sight of Zoey.
