Most of All You: A Love Story(30)

“Would you like a pillow, sir? You could at least lean your head back against it.”

I opened my eyes, jolted from the memory of earlier that night by a kindly-looking nurse.

I smiled. “Yes, that would be great.”

“Okay. Visiting hours are over, you know, but I don’t think any of us will kick you out.” She winked. “I’ll be right back.”

I smiled gratefully at her, and when she’d gone, I brought my phone from my pocket and sent Dom a quick text telling him I’d be home the next day, not to worry, and I’d explain when I got there. I turned my phone off, not waiting for a response. I assumed he was sleeping anyway.

The sound of the television at the nurse’s station droned softly in the background, drifting down the hall to where I sat. My ears perked up when I heard the name Wyatt Geller in the deep, monotonous voice of a newscaster, but then my heart dropped when I heard the words still no news following his name. I sagged back in the chair. Christ. I stuffed my hands in my pockets and stretched my legs out in front of me, leaning back against the hard wall.

Behind me a broken girl lay sleeping, and somewhere out there, a little boy was experiencing what was unimaginable to most. But not to me.

*

I woke with a start, the sound of voices and shuffling feet growing louder. I sat up, rubbing my eyes, getting my bearings. It was morning, and the next nursing shift was just arriving. I stood up, stretching my sore muscles. A nurse was just heading into Crystal’s room, and I followed along behind her, peeking in. Crystal was still sleeping, her hands in the exact same position they’d been in the night before. She hadn’t moved a muscle. I stepped back out, going to the men’s room, where I attempted to clean myself up a bit.

When I got back to Crystal’s room, the nurse was gone. I took a seat in the chair by Crystal’s bed and glanced at the magazines in a rack on the wall but knew I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on reading.

The morning light grew brighter in the room, and for a while I simply stared at the increasing glow slanting through the blinds.

Light. Hope.

When I glanced at Crystal, her eyes were blinking open, causing me to draw in a quick breath. I stood, going immediately to her side. She stared up at me, her gaze confused and hazy. I managed a small smile, though looking down into her bruised and swollen face made my heart ache. “Morning,” I whispered.

She shook her head slightly as if attempting to wake from a dream she thought she was still in. It was obvious she was a little drugged, bleary. “Where—?”

“You’re in the hospital. Do you remember …?”

By the widening of her eyes, I could tell that it was coming back to her. I saw her expression shift through confusion, dawning memory, and finally, fear. She searched my face, blinking rapidly. “You’re going to be okay. There are no permanent injuries.” The fear in her gaze diminished minutely.

I grabbed the water pitcher from the bedside table and poured her a glass, turning and holding it up in question. She took a shuddery breath and nodded. I brought the straw to her lips, and she took several sips before turning away.

I withdrew the cup and set it on the bedside table. She was staring at me when I turned around, her eyes still wary, but softer now. “You’re back,” she whispered, her voice breathy and rough at the same time.

I let out an exhale on a small, thankful laugh. “I am.”

She searched my face. “I’m still not the right girl.”

“I still don’t agree.”

Her eyes softened even more, the swollen corners tilting slightly as if she might be smiling. My heart turned over in my chest.

“How …?”

“Kayla called me.”

She looked confused, though not angry, and I was about to explain, when the door opened suddenly and I looked behind me, seeing the same doctor from last night. I couldn’t recall his name now. “Good morning,” he said, smiling at me and then at Crystal. “I’m glad to see you’re awake.” A nurse trailed in after him, smiling and nodding at both of us.

The doctor came to stand at the end of Crystal’s bed and pushed a button to raise her head a little more. “I’m going to examine you and see how you’re doing this morning, and Alison is going to check your dressings.” Crystal glanced at me, and I cleared my throat.

“I’ll just wait outside,” I said, giving Crystal a small smile before I left, closing the door to her room quietly behind me. Hearing the clacking of heels on the linoleum floor, I looked up and saw Kayla hurrying toward me.

“Is she awake?”

“Yeah, she woke up a little bit ago. The doctor’s examining her now.”

Kayla nodded, opening the door a crack and peeking in. “Okay if I come in?” I didn’t hear a response, but she must have gotten an indication that it was fine to enter because she turned to me and said, “I’ll be back out when they’re done.”

I nodded, taking a seat in the same chair I’d slept in the night before. Turning on my phone, I saw that Dominic had texted me back just an hour ago, telling me to call him as soon as I could. But instead of calling Dom, I stood and wandered down the hall and called George instead. He answered and I heard the sounds of machinery. He was already at the quarry.

“Gabriel?”

“Hey, George.”