AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My cheeks pink. “I didn’t mean—“
“Relax, Hads, you needed it. How do you feel?”
“Okay, I guess. I’ll feel better when he wakes up.” I ignore the pit in my stomach.
“I got coffee.” Conner flicks his head to the table.
“Thanks.” I reach for it and take a sip. It’s only tepid, but it’s better than nothing. “Did you get any sleep?”
He shrugs. “A little. I just kept thinking about finding him...” Conner inhales a sharp breath, and a violent shudder rips through me.
“He’s going to be okay,” I say.
“Yeah. But I’m still going to kick his ass when he’s healthy.” He chuckles softly, and some of the tension in the room melts away. “James and Ace want to come by soon. Are you going to be okay if I go home and get a shower? I need to wash eau de hospital off me.”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
Conner stands. “I’ll be back later, okay?”
I nod. “Thank you. For last night.”
“Anytime.” He smiles. “If he wakes up while I’m gone, I give you permission to smack him upside the head.” Conner winks before ducking out of the room.
After using the small bathroom to pee and finger-brush my teeth with some cold water, I take up position in the chair next to Cole’s bed.
He still looks peaceful, the gentle rise and fall of his chest a reassuring reminder that he’s okay, even if he’s still out cold.
I take his hand in mine, smoothing my thumb over his skin. “I wish I knew how to fix you,” I murmur, swallowing the lump in my throat.
His hand twitches and I sit bolt upright. “Cole?” I gasp.
His fingers flex again as his eyes begin to flutter open.
“Oh my God,” I breathe, relief like I’ve never known slamming into me.
“H-Hadley?” he croaks, barely lucid.
“I’m here, I’m right here.” Happy tears burn the backs of my eyes.
“W-what happened?”
The nurse had warned us that when he woke he might be disoriented. But the thought he might not remember, that he might have to relive all the pain again, guts me.
“You’re in the hospital.” I lean forward and gently brush the hair from his eyes. “I’m so happy you’re okay.”
“I feel... fuck...” His voice is rough.
“Shh, I’ll get the nurse. Wait here.” I go to get up, but his fingers tighten around mine. Glancing down, our eyes lock, and I know.
I know from the agony in his gaze that he remembers.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Cole
Everything feels… weird as my body emerges from what feels like the deepest sleep of my life, and that’s saying something because I hardly ever sleep properly, unless I’m off my face on liquor and drugs.
My body is heavy, like my limbs are melded into a mattress that also doesn't feel like my own.
