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Archer: I’m working on the new school not far from there. I’m headed your way now, Ry. I’ll be there soon.
Sterling: Just told the boss man I was headed out. I’m on my way.
Deacon: Closing the office now. Hang in there, Ry.
Me: Please be safe.
Orrin: Love you, brother.
A string of texts from the others telling me the same blow up my phone. I slide it back into my pocket and close my eyes. Tears threaten to fall, but I hold them at bay. Not because I’m too embarrassed to show my emotions, but because Jordyn needs me to be strong for her.
I need to be her rock. I can’t break down.
Feeling a hand on my arm, I peel open my eyes to find Gianna watching me intently. She nods toward the door and there stands Archer. I climb to my feet, and we meet each other halfway. He pulls me into a hug, and I choke back a sob.
“We’ve got you, brother. Both of you,” he says, his own voice showing his emotion.
I wrench out of the hug, wiping at my eyes. “Did you have any trouble getting back here?”
“Nah, it’s busy out there. She told me where to find you and waved me off.”
“Thanks for being here.”
“Jordyn’s family. Do we know anything?”
I repeat what the doctor told us, and he’s quiet while he listens, his eyes filling with sorrow.
“Damn,” he mutters.
“I’m going to go grab some drinks. You two want something?” Calvin asks.
“Nah, I’m good.”
“Me too,” Archer says.
“I’m going to stay. Is that okay?” Gianna asks me.
“You’re her best friend, her chosen family. You have just as much right to be here as I do.”
Tears glisten in her eyes. Calvin kisses the top of her head, whispers something, and walks out of the room.
Now we wait.
Closing my eyes, I rest my head back against the wall. I am trying to be patient, but I need to lay eyes on her.
What feels like several hours later, but it’s only been an hour and sixteen minutes since the doctor talked to us, a nurse steps into the waiting area. “Jordyn is in a room. Only two at a time.”
I stand and look over at Gianna, offering her my hand. She stands as well. “We’ll go first.”
“She’s on the third floor.” The nurse goes on to rattle off the room number and explains that there’s a much larger waiting room.
I can only imagine what she’s thinking. Gianna, Calvin, Archer, Deacon, Orrin, Rushton, Merrick, and I are squeezed into this tiny room.
“What can we do, Ry?” Orrin asks.
“Just hang out. I know that’s a lot to ask, but until I see her—yeah, if you don’t mind.”
“That goes without saying, brother. The rest are on their way.”
“Palmer and Kennedy are staying back with all the kids,” Rushton says, looking down at his phone. “Everyone else will be here.”
There’s that fucking lump again. “Thank you.” I manage to push the words past my lips. I start toward the door but realize I never tried to call her father. “Deacon?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you try to get a hold of her father? Marvin Astor.”
“I have a contact at his firm.” He nods. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you.” I turn toward Gianna. “Ready?”
She nods. Calvin kisses her on the cheek and tells her he’s going with my brothers to the waiting room and will be there if she needs him.
The walk to the elevator and the ride up to the third floor seems to take years, when I know, in reality, it’s a matter of minutes. The nurse shows us to the room and walks away.
Gianna reaches over, grabs my hand, and we walk in together.
The moment I see her, my heart cracks. I feel it, the shattering in my chest. Jordyn’s face is covered in cuts and bruises. Her arms are bandaged, and her leg is wrapped from her surgery. The slow beep of the monitors tells me her heart is beating strong and steady. Dropping Gianna’s hand, I move to one side of the bed while she takes the other. Pulling the chair as close as I can get it, I drop down into it and carefully slide my hand beneath Jordyn’s. I place my lips on her knuckles.
“Hey, sweets,” I say, my voice trembling. “I’m here. Gianna too. There’s a waiting room full of people who love you who are waiting to see you open those big brown eyes for us.” I kiss her knuckles again. “I love you.”
“Hey, J,” Gianna speaks up. “You gave us all a scare, but you’re going to be okay.”
We both grow quiet as the door opens and a man in scrubs walks in. “I’m Dr. Maynard. I’m the orthopedic surgeon that repaired Jordyn’s leg. Six weeks in the cast, and then we’ll reassess from there. No weight bearing for six weeks.”
