Reckless (Thoughtless, #3)(159)

Reaching down, Hailey rubbed his foot through the blanket. “We love you, bro.” Riley nodded in agreement.

While Kellan swallowed back both physical and emotional pain, my parents stepped up to the bed. My mom was cradling Gibson to her chest, but reached over and put her hand on Kellan’s leg. “We came as soon as we could too.” Her green eyes flashed to mine. “You’re family, Kellan.”

Kellan turned to me, and I could see the pain and joy in his eyes. This is what he’d always wanted. Family. A real family. I couldn’t contain it anymore, and big fat tears started rolling down my cheeks. Dad looked like he was suddenly worried about my health as he stared at me. Mom simply walked around and gave me a knowing hug. Having my family fully accept my husband was the greatest gift they could have ever given me, and him.

When I calmed down, Kellan relaxed back into his cushions. Even though he cringed in discomfort, he was smiling at me. “So adorable,” he muttered.

Ignoring him, I watched my mom as she kissed Gibson’s nose. “How is it you are all here together?”

Dad frowned as he gave Mom a pointed glance. “Your mother spotted Gavin in baggage claim . . . from clear across the room.”

Ignoring him, Mom cooed at her granddaughter. I stifled a laugh. Yeah, like Kellan, Gavin stood out in a crowd.

As it grew late into the evening, I thought about the concert going on, and all the fans who would be disheartened that Kellan and the D-Bags weren’t playing. But they couldn’t play without their lead singer, and he was in no shape to be on stage. I was a little surprised that Sienna hadn’t played up her distress over the accident by rescheduling the show. Everything about what she’d done today was surprising me.

I think my mom wanted to stay by Kellan’s side all night, baby Gibson in hand, but I could see how tired she was, and I made the D-Bags take her and Dad back to the hotel. She promised to come back first thing in the morning. I didn’t doubt she would.

Collecting her daughter from Mom, Anna asked me, “Are you coming with us back to the hotel?” I could tell from her tone of voice that she already knew my answer. I shook my head. No, I wasn’t leaving Kellan’s side. They’d have to drag me outside to get me to leave.

Justin and the D-Bags headed out with Anna and our parents. Gavin and his children went with them. The room felt a little bigger with everyone’s energy gone, but the level of love inside it didn’t lower at all. I gazed at Kellan for long minutes, just wanting time to stand still. Eyes heavy with drugs, pain, and sleep, Kellan stared right back at me. Then his face contorted into a strange expression. “Crap,” he whispered. “I have to pee.” He looked over to the bathroom and sighed, like it was so far away it may as well have been in another country.

Chuckling at him, I kissed his cheek. “I could help you?”

He pursed his lips. “Uh, no, I got it. I can do this.” He let out a low, steady exhale. “The nurse said I should get up and move around anyway.”

He leaned forward to stand and I placed my hands on his back in support. “She said tomorrow you should.”

Kellan bit his lip as he tried to suppress a groan. It didn’t work, and he let out a low rumble of pain. “It’s just a couple of hours shy of tomorrow,” he said through clenched teeth.

As he uncovered himself from the sheets, I hurried around to the other side of the bed, bringing the IV stand with me. Once he stood up, he gasped and clenched at the pole for support. I held it still so he wouldn’t fall over. Pale and looking a little ill, he glanced out the window. His mouth dropped open as he got a clear view of the sea of candlelight in the darkness. “Oh my God, Kiera. They’re still here.”

Patting his hand on the pole, I urged him forward. “Of course they are.”

Kellan seemed to forget about his pain until he took a step. Then he groaned and gingerly held his stomach. Feeling bad that I couldn’t do anything for him, I merely held the bathroom door open. His face was tight as he passed by me. “Thanks.”

Before I closed the door behind him, I couldn’t help but check out the toned sections of skin showing between the ties along the back of his gown. Only Kellan Kyle could make a hospital gown sexy. Kellan started to chuckle when he noticed me watching; he instantly grimaced. “Stop making me laugh and close the door.”

Letting out a hearty laugh, since he couldn’t, I did what he asked. While I waited for him and hoped he didn’t get light-headed and pass out, I meandered over to the window to watch the crowd of well-wishers. They were stretched along the sidewalk across from the hospital, almost as far as I could see; it really was an impressive sight.

A short knock followed by a polite voice disrupted my thoughts. “Mrs. Kyle, I’m sorry to bother you. It’s after hours, but your brother is here?”

I turned to see the night nurse poking her head through the partially open door. I kept my face purposely neutral. Brother? I didn’t have a brother. The nurse looked behind her, then back at me. “Normally, I’d make him wait until morning, but he says he flew across the country to see you?”

She looked at me skeptically, like she was sure the person behind her was not who he claimed to be. And she was right; he wasn’t who he said he was. I let the surprise I felt show on my face. “Denny? Denny’s here?”

The nurse seemed relieved and opened the door a bit wider. “I’ll let him come in, but just for a few minutes, okay?”