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I try to laugh but can’t even force it. “I got you a T-shirt with a ballerina on it. Thought it’d look cute on you.”
She sticks out her bottom lip. “That’s sad. Do you think it’s ruined?”
Mason chuckles. “There’s nothing left but the tires and frame.”
I remember the file folders of research I had moved in there too. It’s going to take me weeks to compile all that again, but right now, I can’t worry about it. The only thing I’m concerned about is Maddie because she’s the most important. The Mercedes, the paperwork, the shirt—all of it can be replaced. Maddie can’t.
Mason stands and stretches as Sophie yawns.
“You all should go. I’m pretty tired,” Maddie says.
“Are you sure?” Sophie asks. “We’ll stay here with you for a little while longer.”
“No, I’m good. I’ve had a long day,” she insists. “Plus hospitals suck. I know those chairs can’t be cozy.”
Sophie shrugs. “Okay, if you’re sure that’s what you want.”
“I am. Go. I’ll be fine as long as they keep pumping me with the good stuff.” She closes her eyes tight, and I know it’s her head. I had a concussion a few times, and it was terrible. I was unable to focus, and felt disoriented and exhausted all at the same time.
Sophie leans over and hugs Maddie. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
The doctor walks in with a folder and looks around the room before going to Maddie. “I wanted to go over your CT scan results with you. Is it okay if they’re in the room?”
“Yes, they’re family,” she says, and the doctor nods.
“There are no signs of swelling or bleeding, which is kind of a miracle considering how hard you were hit. So we’ll just keep an eye on your vitals, and if everything looks fine throughout the night, you’ll be released tomorrow.” He pats Maddie’s hand with a small smile. “Sounds like you took a pretty hard fall, so enjoy the meds while you can.”
“I feel like I got beat up.” She musters a laugh.
“Do you have any questions for me?” He glances at Maddie, then at the rest of us.
We all shake our heads.
“I’m good, I think,” Maddie speaks up. “Just tired.”
“You might feel like that for a few days,” he warns. “It’s normal. If you need anything or start feeling worse, let us know, okay?”
“I will,” Maddie says.
Sophie and Mason say their goodbyes after the doctor leaves, and then it’s just Maddie and me.
“Are you going too?” she asks.
“Absolutely not.” I pull the chair closer so I can sit next to the bed and still hold her hand. “I’m staying here with you until you’re released. It’s the least I can do so the guilt doesn’t eat me alive.”
“Guilt?” She looks confused.
I kiss her knuckles. She slides her hand across my cheek and smiles.
Bowing my head, I say, “You wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me.”
“I already told you this wasn’t your fault, Liam.” The fact that she’s consoling me has me feeling bad because I’m supposed to be the strong one for her.
“Well, I feel responsible as fuck. Someone’s after me, and you got hurt in the crossfire. I’m going to find out who did this and make them pay,” I promise.
She furrows her brows and shakes her head. “No. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
The room grows quiet before she turns her head and flips through the channels, then stops on Dirty Dancing. “Remember this movie?”
“How could I forget it?” Our eyes meet again.
“You ever had sex in a hospital room?”
I glare at her. “You literally have a concussion and were knocked unconscious a few hours ago.”
She shrugs and lifts her eyebrows. “Well, my lower region feels just fine.”
“You are so bad.” I smirk and wonder if she’s playing with me or not. “We could get caught.”
Laughter escapes her. “That hasn’t stopped you before. But I guess you’re right, but also so tempting.”
Arching a brow, I smirk at her playful banter, thankful she’s able to somewhat be herself. “I might need to call the doctor back in here and make him double-check that you don’t have brain damage or something,” I tease.
She takes my hand again and interlocks our fingers. “I love you. Have I told you that today?”
“You have, but I never get sick of hearing it. Love you too, baby.”
We continue watching Dirty Dancing, and Maddie whispers every line, which causes me to smile. Concussion and still has it all memorized. I lay my head on the bed, and she runs her fingers through my hair, calming me when I should be calming her. I could’ve lost Maddie today, and the thought alone nearly destroys me.
It’s been two weeks since Maddie was released from the hospital. She recovered fine and the cut on her head is barely visible now. Two days afterward, she was able to go back to school but was told to take it easy for a week, which meant limited dancing. I’ve apologized so many times that she’s started slapping my chest to stop me from feeling guilty.
