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The doctor nods and turns his attention back to the chart and Josephine. “You saved your brother’s life, bringing him here.” He says, and both of us sob in relief. He’s okay. “He has a BAC of over .350, which is dangerously high. If he had continued drinking, he could have died. His body was reaching comatose levels, which is why he wasn’t breathing well when he arrived.” With every word out of the doctor’s mouth, my nausea intensifies. “We pumped his stomach, and we’re giving him fluids through an IV. I’d like to keep him for observation and so that we can run tests on his liver when the intoxication wears off – make sure he didn’t do any lasting damage.”
The two of us nod, understanding everything he’s explaining. Jo asks the question on both of our minds. “When can we see him?”
He smiles. “You can see him now, but only family and one at a time, since it’s after visiting hours.” He turns his attention to me. “I’ll make a note in his chart that since you’re his fiancé, you’re allowed in as well.”
I thank him quietly, appreciative of Jo’s lie. Turning towards her, I tell her to go first. I can only imagine the stress and fear she felt finding him the way she did. She needs this more than I do right now. She smiles gratefully and follows the doctor through the double doors.
Allowing myself to take a breath, I go back over to the guys and repeat everything the doctor just said. They’re instantly relieved he’s alright.
“Can you do me a favor when you guys get home?” I ask Caleb and Jason. They nod and look at me expectantly. “Go through his room. Remove any and all bottles of liquor. Check the closet, too. I know he had some in there a couple weeks ago.”
The two of them agree, before Caleb leans forward and stares at me, smirking. “So, if you had known it was a real proposal, would you still have walked away?”
I roll my eyes, chuckling softly. “In the words of Holden – mind your business, Sutter.”
JOSEPHINE COMES BACK OUT into the waiting room, wiping the tears away from her face, but smiling. Jason gets up and embraces her before she turns to me.
“He’s asking for you.” She murmurs. “Just, keep in mind he’s still really drunk.”
“Mad drunk, or clingy drunk?”
“A mix between loopy drunk and clingy drunk.”
I sigh happily, just glad he’s not angry. Jo, Jason, and Caleb say goodbye to Dawson and I, heading home to get some rest. Dawson tells me he’s going to wait to drive me home while I go see Holden. I thank him and quickly head through the double doors and down the hallway.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for Holden Rivers.” I ask the nurse. “His sister said he’s in room 11.”
She points down the hall and directs me where to go. I follow her instructions until I’m standing outside his door. I take a deep breath to compose myself, and then grab the handle and step inside.
As soon as I see him, I need to keep myself from crumbling to the floor. Between the hospital gown, the paleness of his skin, and the tubes in his nose for more oxygen – he looks terrible. I don’t even realize I’m crying until Holden looks at me and frowns.
“Come here.” He slurs, reaching for me with grabby hands. When I get over to him, he squeezes my hand and flops his head to the side. “I’m okie dokie.”
“But you almost weren’t.” I tell him, not masking the sadness from my voice. “You can’t do shit like that. You can’t. Not to your family, and not to me.”
He looks as if he’s struggling to stay awake, but he’s doing his best to talk to me. “I sowwy.”
“Please don’t let it happen again. I can’t handle it.” I sigh, knowing everything I say right now won’t be remembered tomorrow. He’s far too drunk. Anything I want to tell him will have to wait.
Standing up, I walk back over to the door when a low whine leaves his mouth. “Don’t leave.” He pleads.
I give him a small smile and shake my head. “I’m not. I’ll be right back.”
When I get back out to the waiting room, I find Dawson playing on his phone. Once he sees me, he clicks it off and stands up.
“That was fast.” He acknowledges. “Ready to go?”
“No, you go ahead. I think I’m going to stay here tonight.”
He grins broadly, and I can see that he was hoping that would be my answer. He gives me a hug and wishes me luck, telling me to call him if I need anything. I thank him and watch him leave before turning around and going back in with Holden.
I get back into the room to find he’s sound asleep. Quietly, I turn off the light and pull a chair up next to his bed. Giving myself a moment to look at him, it’s amazing to me how beautiful he still manages to look, even only being illuminated by the lights of the monitors. I lean forward and lightly kiss his forehead before sitting in the chair. Laying my arms and head on his bed – I let the sound of his breathing lull me to sleep.
Chapter 2
The feeling of someone running their fingers through my hair wakes me from my peaceful slumber. I almost forget where I am, until the sound of the heart monitor brings it all back to me. In a panic, I sit up quickly and look around. Holden recoils his hand with a sheepish look on his face.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.” He sounds a lot better than he did last night.
