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"You're waking up." Momma's eyes are filled with their own anguish and sorrow, but she gives me a small smile filled with hope. "Evelyn, I love you so much. You can do this."
"AHH!" My tears start anew at the hell raging through my tiring limbs.
Gripping my cheeks, Mom forces our gazes to lock. "I love you. It's time to wake up now, little one. Live."
My vision starts to cross. I whimper for my mom again, begging her not to leave me. I whisper how much I love her as I grip her warm hand in mine and keel over onto my side. The last words I hear from my Momma shatter my heart while they fuse the shards back together at the same time.
"I will always be with you..."
Chapter 20
Josie
Come on, come on, come on!
If this were a movie, I would zap the shit out of this red light that's keeping me from my best friend. The hospital isright there!
"Ugh, finally," I grumble as I take the left turn into the parking lot. Since the guys left, Mia has been wonderful in keeping me updated...well, with what little information she had. She rarely heard anything until Detective Smith called her yesterday and told her Eve was in a hospital.
They dropped everything and left to get here. Thankfully, she sent me the address after making me agree to come today instead of last night.
Shoving my Jeep door wide, I tumble out of my car in haste to get inside. "Shit!" I go back for the flip-flop that fell off my foot. With it securely in place, I run through the sliding doors. "ICU waiting room?" My yell makes the lady behind the desk jump and narrow her eyes before she points down another hall.
After an eternity of cursing my shoes, I finally find the doors to the waiting room I've been looking for.
The scene I walk into makes my blood turn to ice, and my bones lock in place. Amiri and Nolan huddle by the wall, each with their heads bowed and shoulders shaking with emotion. In the center of the room are Ry and Korren, wrapped in each other's arms, their sobs piercing my soul.
Dan has a crying Mia wrapped in his arms with his head hidden in her shoulder. Chris and Sherry are much in the same position next to them. My long hair whips around at whatever the fuck this is. I refuse to draw any conclusions. Shucking off my sweater, I toss it onto a nearby chair and begin my walk through the room. Before I can approach any of the inconsolable people I have grown to love, the door on the opposite side of the room opens to reveal a haggard-looking man in a white coat.
His eyes go wide at the scene I am currently standing in the middle of, clearly uncertain how to even begin.
Gulping, I make my way over to him. "Hi, I'm Josie. I just got here. I'm their friend. Are you Eve's doctor?"
Snapping out of his stupor, he gives me a once-over before nodding. "Yes, I am Doctor Ellis." His eyes once again move to the horrifying scene behind me. Still, none of them have looked up to see that he's here.
"Um, what's going on? Is everything okay?" I side-eye the family behind me, my own heart pitter-pattering.
He coughs before straightening and collecting himself. "Ms. Miller flatlined about ten minutes ago. She is alive and stable for now, though." I can feel my eyes widen and my eyebrows raise in shock. "Two of the men were in there when it happened; I came to let them know that she is okay."
"Okay, thanks Doc. I can let them know," my voice is nothing but a whisper. He nods his thanks and makes his way back to tend to Eve. I turn around and take a deep breath, trying to settle my nerves at hearing that she almost died.
Son of a shit.
"Kay, what now?" Literally, nobody has moved from their spots since I walked in. "Guys?" I call out and receive zero response. I attempt to get everyone's attention just one more time to no avail. "Fuck."
I slowly move over to Korren and Ryan and reach to touch their shoulders. The squeak that slips out of me is awful when they both launch their asses to their feet. Taking a step back from their heaving chests and Korren's snarl, I toss my hands up in surrender.
"She's alive!" I rush out, not sure if they are even registering that it's me in front of them. "Eve's okay! They have her stable."
Kor steps forward, and I step back. "What?" He rumbles; his hulking tattooed form is downright intimidating, with all his energy focused on me. I don't know how Eve doesn't shrink under the heavy vibes he gives off.
Before I can respond, Ryan shoves him aside and grips my shoulder. "What did you say, Jo?" Desperation leaks from him, almost making me choke on my words.
"She's okay, Ry," I breathe, watching the tears fall from his eyes. I will never be able to understand what these guys have gone through in the past week, but it has taken a lot from this strong family.
“She's okay," he repeats my words in relief. In the next moment, he's rushing over to the huddled pair whose wide eyes are on me, having heard the news.
I can't help but look on as Ryan tackles Nolan in a viscous hug full of love, devastation, and reassurance. They both outwardly weep and grip each other like they are trying to burrow into the other's skin. They can't get close enough.
