“Oh my God…” I whispered. “I should have known Logan hadn’t changed since high school. How long have I been here?” I asked, closing my eyes tightly again.
“This isn’t your fault. Shane told me he’s done this before, apparently. One of the detectives will be in to see you as soon as you can handle it.” She squeezed my hand firmly again, wishing this wasn’t happening. “Shane brought you in yesterday afternoon.”
“Yesterday. Oh my God,” I murmured, stunned. I’d lost a day but luckily not my life. “Where is Eddy? Dad?” I asked, very much wanting to see Shane, too, though I didn’t really want him to see me. There was a small mirror hanging near the hospital sink, and I could see that my hair was messy, my makeup had rubbed off, and some of the mascara had smeared down the side of my cheek.
“Eddy and Dad went to get a change of clothes. They’ve been here for a while. Shane is here, too, in the waiting room. We’re so glad you’re okay. This could have been so much worse,” she said, her voice warm and motherly.
“Couldn’t somebody have washed my face?” I mumbled.
Mom laughed lightly and kissed my cheek. “You look beautiful. Alive.”
“What a time for it to happen, though, during your anniversary preparation,” I said with sadness lacing my voice. I tried sitting up in my bed but felt woozy. My mother eased me back on to the bed.
“You need rest, so rest,” she encouraged me.
I couldn’t argue with her. I did need rest, especially if I was going to have to rehash everything with the detectives and plan a huge anniversary party. “Shane can come in… if he wants,” I said, trying not to sound too excited.
“Let me get him for you. He’s been worried sick,” my mother responded.
My heart wanted to see him, and I was tired enough to let my heart win. Mom gave me a little smile before leaving me. Now that she was gone, I was alone with my thoughts and the gentle throbbing of my head. In the quiet of her absence, I wondered if I was the same person who had entered this room. The relationship Shane and I shared had changed. I had experienced a trauma, and he had rescued me.
Shortly after she’d left, Shane walked in with a can of soda in his hand. “Hey,” he began as he sat next to me.
“Hello,” I smiled. We were both silent for a moment. “Thank you for helping me. I’m not sure where I would be right now if you hadn’t,” I said sheepishly.
“That’s what family is for, right?” Shane asked.
“Right,” I answered, smiling again.
“How are you feeling?”
“My head hurts a bit and I’m freezing, but other than that, it’s just shock. It’s crazy how quickly situations can change,” I hinted, looking into his eyes.
“And it’s even scarier how some people never do,” Shane mumbled.
“Not in your case. You’ve changed. You’re kinder now.”
“I never thought I’d hear you say that,” he replied, blushing a bit.
“Well, you did just save my life, so you deserve it,” I teased.
“They were able to stabilize you pretty quickly. I’m glad I got you here when I did.”
“Me and my allergies,” I grumbled sarcastically. “What am I not allergic to?”
He took my hand, which surprised me. “I am so glad you’re okay. You have no idea how worried I was.” His eyes were concerned, his voice soft and caring. I’d never seen him so gentle before.
“Thank you,” I replied, squeezing his hand back.
I let him go and scooted down in my bed so my head could rest on the soft pillow. “What is it about almost being assaulted that makes you so tired?” I joked.
I listened to the noises outside the room, the hustle and bustle of the hospital. No matter how messed up we were, life went on. Babies were being born upstairs. Bodies were being catalogued in the morgue downstairs. The only place I wanted to be right now was right here with Shane.
Eddy walked in, interrupting our little moment. He carried an arrangement of pink, red, purple, and yellow flowers, the kind that were dyed for presentation. “Hey, sis.” He hugged me, and I tried squeezing him back, but I was too weak.
My dad followed him in, wearing sunglasses, and he looked frazzled. “Hi, pumpkin.” He hurried to my side and touched my cheek as he bent to kiss my forehead. “Never been so scared in my life.” I smiled weakly at him, and he turned to Shane, who stood up to greet him. He shook Shane’s hand urgently. “Thank you so much again. I am not sure what I would have done if…” His voice trailed off, cracking unashamedly with emotion.
“Don’t worry, Dad,” I said. “I’m here. I’m fine. Everything is going to be okay.”
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
“Come to think of it, I am.”
“Your mom just ran out to get some pizza. Would you like a slice?”
“Yes. Definitely,” I answered, my stomach rumbling noisily. I hadn’t eaten since the day before, thanks to Logan’s antics.
“I’ll call her and make sure she gets a large one then.” He pulled out his phone and left the room, leaving me with Eddy and Shane.
“Remember that time Eddy split his knee open when we were skateboarding and we all went to the ER with him?” Shane asked.
“Ha ha. Very funny. Will you ever let me forget?” Eddy countered, his voice dripping with friendly sarcasm.
“Of course we can’t,” I teased.
Shane and Eddy continued talking. For a moment, I felt normal again. I never wanted this feeling to end. Everything felt right. Shane made me feel so safe. When I was in his presence, I knew no one could hurt me. I wanted my heart to belong to him so much. I wanted him to have it and to protect it.
SHANE
Seeing that she was okay was the most amazing feeling in the world—more so than the wind in my hair during a long motorcycle ride or the feeling of a cold beer gushing down my throat after a long, hot day. She looked so fragile, though. Normally strong and proud, her big eyes were shadowed by darkness underneath, and her skin was still so pale. She reminded me that life, too, could be fragile—something I did not truly realize until I’d almost lost her. Eddy looked relieved as well. He would often tease his sister, but he loved her very much. His face was soft and relaxed. He took a bite of his pizza and turned to me.
“How much do I owe you for saving her life?”
“Nothing. Not that I need the money anyway,” I countered with a smirk.
“Well, at least allow me to make you a nice dinner,” Jenn said.
I grinned. “I will never say no to that.”
“Hon, do you know where the bathroom is?” Paul asked.
“Yes,” Jenn said with a sigh. “I’ll take you there. We will be right back, kids.”
“I have to go, too,” Eddy said. He put his pizza slice on the box. The group chatted and chortled to each other as they left the room, bickering in that friendly, family way. I was left alone with Sasha again.
“I suppose I’ll be in debt to you now.” Sasha laughed, which sent a shiver down my spine. That sounded so hot coming from her.