AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thanks,” I rasp, my voice too tight to say anything else.
When she walks out of the room, I shift my attention back to that bed and Jade.
But it’s not Jade I see.
Gabriel’s small body, too skinny and weak from how the disease ate at him, flashes in my mind.
I blink, pushing the memory back, only to find Nixon carefully watching me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” Nodding, I cross the room, taking the chair on the opposite side of the bed, gently putting my hand over Jade’s cool fingers. Placing my other palm on top of it to transfer some warmth into her icy skin, I concentrate on Jade willing the demons of my past to stay back, while at the same time knowing it’s impossible.
Leaning closer so my lips are pressed against the side of Jade’s head, I whisper softly: “Hey, doll. I’m here. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
JADE
The constantbeep, beep, beeppulls me out of my slumber. It’s a distant noise I can barely decipher, but soon, it grows louder, more insistent.
Letting out a soft groan, I try to shift, but a jolt of pain goes through my body, pinning me to the mattress. My eyes blink open, only to fall shut almost instantly as the bright overhead light blinds me.
Holy hell.
At this point, I’m not sure what hurts more, my body or my head.
Forcing myself to stay still and breathe, I wait until the pain subsides before trying again. Slowly, oh so slowly, I open my eyes. At first, it’s only a smidge, barely enough to see anything, but enough to let them adjust before I fully open them, taking in my surroundings.
White ceiling.
The bed.
A hospital bed.
Machines surround me as thatbeepingsound grows louder, more incessant.
Hospital.
I’m in a hospital.
As the realization dawns on me, so does the reason for my stay.
Mastectomy.
I look down at my chest as panic spreads through me, but the blanket is placed over my body, preventing me from seeing anything.
Not like there’s anything to see, but…
A soft moan snaps me out of my thoughts, enough to notice the person sitting in the chair next to my bed.
The shaggy dark blond hair and broad shoulders.
Nixon. I want to let out a sigh of relief. He’s here. Just like he pro—
“Jade?”
No, not Nixon.
Rubbing the back of his neck, he lifts his head, sleepy dark eyes taking me in.
