Nate(91)

No.

It couldn’t be like with him.

My voice broke, and I blinked, needing to see and clear my vision. “I love her, Aspen.”

She squeezed my hand hard. “I know you do.”





51





Quincey





They were removing my tube when I heard holy hell being raised in the hallway.

“I will be going in there. Now move.”

The door was opening—a hand appeared, stopping it. A nurse shoved her way between that voice and my room. “You can’t— Sir! You need to wait.”

Two hands went under her arms, and she was lifted clear from the doorway. A second later, one of those hands came to the door, and it was shoved open.

Nate walked inside, a glower set firm on his face.

He stopped just inside, seeing me, and seeing what they’re in the middle of doing. He closed his eyes.

Alarm rose as I saw him waver on his feet, but then a smaller hand grabbed his arm from behind. Recognizing his sister as Aspen came around him, holding him up, I relaxed.

He’d be okay. He had family with him.

Then I gagged as they pulled the tube out.

Ooh.

My throat was burning.

Holy crap.

I coughed, feeling it spasming down to my lungs.

I wouldn’t recommend getting intubated, ever.

“You okay?” Nate came over, taking my hand. His other hand went to my shoulder. He began rubbing it in a slow, comforting motion. “Is she okay? Why was she intubated?”

The doctor glanced at me.

I nodded, saving my throat for better things, like breathing.

Nate’s hand kept going, and I leaned into him. It felt nice.

It felt loving, and that sent a whole different burning through me, but I pushed past that. It wasn’t the time or place.

“Miss Royas was hit by a car. The paramedics worried about a head injury, so she was intubated, but her CT came back fine. She will need to stay for a few days to follow protocol, make sure everything is fine.”

“Is it?” He was scanning over me, deep bags under his eyes. “Is she okay?”

He also looked like he’d aged five years.

He cared.

That realization warmed me, but I was Nova’s other constant.

Of course he would care.

“She should be fine. She took a hard hit, but no ribs were fractured. She has a broken wrist and a badly sprained ankle, but those seem to be the extent.”

A whoosh of air left Nate, and he sank down into the chair beside my bed, still holding my hand, and his other hand resting on my shoulder. “She’ll have to stay for a few days for that?”

“It’s the protocol following a suspected head injury. Her CT was fine, but we want to make sure it stays that way.”

Nate nodded, heaving another sigh before finding my gaze. “Hi.”

I tried to smile, but that hurt, too. “Hi.”

“You were hit by a car?”

I took a breath. My lungs hurt, but they were working. It felt better to have that tube out. “Yes. I forgot where I was on the sidewalk. I guess I needed a car to remind me.” It was a weak joke, but this was where we were.

It was hitting me that I wouldn’t be dancing tomorrow. Or, glancing at my casted wrist, for a long while.

“I’ll check in with you later on. We’ll get your file updated as well.” The doctor gave me a smile before leaving the room.

Aspen moved to stand where he vacated, and she glanced at a bag of my items that a nurse left on the bed stand. “Do you need me to make any calls for you?” Her eyes flicked to her brother, who was still holding my good hand so tightly.

I nodded. “Yeah. Is Nova…?” I turned to Nate.

“She’s fine. Aspen called Emily on the way here. She’s going to stay and watch her as long as we need her.”

“And I’ll head back to relieve her later as well.”

“You need to sleep. You had a long flight.”

She glanced at her brother. “Kinda got some adrenaline now. I won’t be sleeping for a bit.”

“Still.” He was frowning. “You could crash. Emily said she’d stay the night so let her, unless I come back.” But he threw me a look.

“Yeah.” His sister interpreted that look. “I’m thinking you’re not going to be leaving from here. Emily and I will work it out. You guys don’t need to worry.”

“My mom.”

Both focused on me.

I added, a small cough coming first, “Stephanie can watch Nova, or I think she could. She watched her for Valerie.” Also, “They don’t know about me.”

God.

So many didn’t know.

“The production.” I looked at Nate, unshed tears swimming in my eyes. I couldn’t hold them back any longer.

“I know,” he said softly. “I’m sorry.”

“Oh.” Her mouth turned down. “I’m sorry.”

I nodded, drawing strength from Nate and his sister.

I turned to Nate. “I have to call them.”

“You want me to stay?”

“I will,” Aspen spoke up quickly. “Sorry. Before you do that, I’ll make the calls to your family if you want to give me their names? I’ll get their numbers, and we can make a plan for Nova. You just get better. Spend time with my brother and reassure him you’re not going anywhere.” Her words came out rushed. She was trying to make me feel better, but I saw the sadness in her gaze.