Following Me(89)

“I know,” Devon said.

“He said he wanted to talk to you for just a minute…that is, if you’ll see him,” Hadley said.

“Um…sure.”

“Alright. Let me go get him,” Hadley said, standing. “I’m glad you’re doing better, Dev.”

“Thanks, Hadley.”

When Hadley reached the door, she turned around and faced Devon with a devilish smile on her face. “I wish I had been there when Brennan beat the shit out of Reid.”

Devon laughed and shook her head.

“I think I would have taken his balls if I knew what he had done to you,” Hadley said.

“I believe you wholeheartedly, Hadley.”

Hadley laughed and walked through the door.

A couple minutes later, Garrett shuffled into the room with a sheepish look on his face. “Hey, Devon,” he said tentatively.

Devon sighed and looked out the window.

“I don’t know if Hadley told you that I told her,” he said awkwardly.

“She did.”

“Oh, good,” Garrett muttered. “I wanted her to know the truth about what I did because it was wrong of me under any circumstances. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I shouldn’t have…cheated on her.”

Garrett cleared his throat when she didn’t say anything. He started again. “I messed up, Devon. I was your friend, and I messed that up. I know that I’m part of the reason you’re here. I’m not even going to ask for your forgiveness because if I were in your position, I think I’d have a hard time forgiving me.”

Devon sighed and turned to look at him. He looked just like Hadley had said, like he hadn’t slept all night. She wondered if he had been worried. Her heart softened some at the thought.

“So, while I don’t expect you to forgive me, it doesn’t mean I’m not going to try to be better. All I’m asking for is the chance to try to earn your trust again. I don’t think it’s fair to ask for more than that, but I’ve never been sorrier. I hate seeing you like this,” he said, gesturing to the bed.

“Okay,” she said softly. “It’s okay. We’ll, uh…get through it…get past it.”

Garrett beamed like she had just handed him the keys to a brand-new sports car. “It’s really good to hear that.”

“Can I ask just one question?”

“Of course,” he said hesitantly.

“Why would you answer my phone and tell Reid where I was?” She looked down at her hands to keep from crying again. She was tired of crying.

“I didn’t mean for him to know where you were. I’ve replayed that phone call a million times in my head. I was so pissed that he was calling you. You’re my friend, Dev. I didn’t want to see you upset. I just told him to stop calling you, that you were working at Jenn’s and that Hadley and I were taking care of you.”

“Oh,” she said. Hearing his explanation made it so easy to believe him. He looked too genuine to be lying. “I guess that’s how he knew I was in Chicago.”

“Yeah, only because I mentioned Hadley. I was stupid. I didn’t think he’d be so determined to find you,” Garrett said. “I hope I can make it up to you.”

The door swung open then, and Brennan walked in, bringing a big smile to her face.

“They only had cherry. I hope that’s alright,” Brennan said, holding Jell-O out in front of him.

“Cherry is my favorite.” She took the bowl when he handed it to her.

“I’m going to find Hadley,” Garrett said, nodding his head toward the door. “I hope you feel better, Devon. I really do.”

When their eyes met, unspoken words passed between them. She smiled slightly at him, and he returned the gesture.

“Thanks,” Devon said just before Garrett walked out.

Brennan lounged and kicked his feet back in the uncomfortable hospital chair as Devon ate her Jell-O. As everything was with Brennan, their time together in the hospital was effortless. He occupied her time while she waited for the doctor to discharge her. He told her stories about following his dad around the hospital when he was growing up. She told him about her parents’ music, how her mom and dad worked together to shape and flow the song, how they had tested them out on her when she was younger. That was before she had decided to take another turn with her life.

BEFORE SHE KNEW it, the doctor was there, checking her vitals and prescribing her more painkillers. Then, he sent her on her way. The medicine really worked, and she was laughing by the time they reached Brennan’s Jetta.

“Let’s get you back to bed. I think you could use another twenty hours of sleep.” He shook his head as he helped her into the car, and then he shut the door.

When he sat down in the driver’s seat, she rested her head on his shoulder.

“Sleep sounds nice,” she said. “Will you sleep with me?”

He laughed. “Is that an invitation?”

“Open invitation.”

“Oh man, I’m going to keep those painkillers around.”

“You don’t need them,” she said, sliding her hand down the front of his shorts.

He rested his hand over hers and moved it to his thigh. “I’ll take you up on that when you can think clearly again.”