Still Jaded (Jaded #2)(73)

Corrigan might die.

She didn't want to say those words to me.

When we went through the emergency doors, conversations halted. A waiting lounge of chairs was full of Corrigan's fraternity brothers. I recognized both Leah's and Grace's sorority sisters. All of them watched me as I crossed the room and headed straight to the front desk. Sheila went with me to explain my relationship with Corrigan. The nurse sent someone to retrieve a doctor and then gave Sheila directions to another waiting lounge.

When we got there, Corrigan's parents held their arms out for me. Katrice caught me first and hugged my head to her bosom. She swayed back and forth, her coat swished with the movements.

"Oh honey. Don't cry. He's going to be just fine," she soothed, wiping away my tears. It seemed like everyone was doing that now. Then she smiled, or tried to smile. Katrice's rosy cheeks were pale. The worry in her eyes was so strong it made her look gaunt. Then Corrigan's father pulled her against his side. "It's okay. He's going to be okay. Corrigan will pull through."

She turned into him and sobbed. The sounds wracked through me. They shouldn't have been crying. They shouldn't have been facing the threat of losing a son again.

Stephen sat in the corner with Luca. I was shocked for a moment. I'd forgotten the two had been best friends before. Stephen looked up at me and nodded. Luca didn't look. He sat there. Both of them just sat there. No magazines to look at. No talking. The television wasn't even on.

Then I felt him behind me. I turned and my eyes widened. Bryce had a crate of coffees in his hand. He froze in the doorway when he saw me and opened his mouth. Nothing came out.

"Hey." I reached for him, but caught myself. Retracting my hand, I felt…stupid and out of place. Things were off. We were a puzzle, but there were parts missing. We were trying to find how the pieces went together again, but they didn't fit. Something between Bryce and me didn't fit anymore.

Corrigan.

"Hey," he said back and slowly handed the coffees to Corrigan's dad.

A doctor came to the door and cleared his throat. "I was told that Miss Jeneve arrived. It's good timing because we just got out of surgery. Mr. and Mrs. Raimler, as I told you before, your son had some massive internal bleeding. We were able to locate the bleeding and stop it. It should heal up fine. There's bruising all over his body, but the most shocking will be on his face and neck. That will clear up in a week or two. We didn't find any fractures or internal lacerations, which is a good thing. All in all, your son is very lucky. He's in good health. The car he was driving protected him. He should be waking up from surgery in a few hours. If you have any questions, you have my card. Feel free to call. The nurse will come in a moment so you can check on him, but he is sleeping right now."

"Thank you, Dr. Lowery." Corrigan's father shook his head. Katrice hugged him. After a few seconds and a few more hugs from Katrice, he nodded again to us and left. It was surreal. We didn't know anything, the doctor came, it was all okay, and then he was gone just as quickly.

"Oh thank god." Katrice slumped onto a chair. "Oh thank God. Oh thank God."

Her husband sat next to her. Stephen took the other side. Each of them held her hands as she kept repeating the same words. It took me a moment before I realized that she had started to pray with her head bent down. The rest of the Raimlers prayed with her.

Bryce and I looked at each other. We were out of place. He jerked his head to the side, and I followed behind as we went into the hallway. When we were away and out of earshot, I breathed out in relief. "Oh my god. I didn't—" Slumping against the wall; I almost fell, but caught myself. I'd been so scared, then mad, then scared, and then I saw Bryce. "I don't know what I'm feeling anymore."

"Relief." Bryce's voice was strained. "You were so pale when you came in. Never mind. I'd imagine that you're still in shock. You'll be feeling it later, I'm sure."

"Yeah, maybe." Looking around, I noticed some of the nurses gazing at Bryce. That's when I realized he was dressed in his soccer casuals. "Everyone's going to be talking about you being here."

"Why wouldn't I? Corrigan's my best friend," Bryce said roughly.

"I know. I—just… Luca's here with you?"

"He wanted to be here for Stephen. Those two keep in contact."

"That's good. It's like you and Corrigan, but—"

"No girl."

No girl to mess everything up.

He might as well have said the words because I heard them nonetheless. Flinching, I turned away and hugged myself.

"Sheldon," Bryce started to say something but stopped.

When I looked back, he wasn't looking at me. His gaze was riveted on something down the hallway. Guadalupe was striding our way, determined, and looking pissed off. Her hair was plastered in place, flowing down to her waist. She was dressed in black athletic clothes, skimpy enough to draw attention but not slutty enough to gain disapproval.

"I may be a bitch, but she takes the cake," I noted underneath my breath.

"Sheldon." Bryce glared at me, but something changed in his expression. He looked like he wanted to apologize for something. It didn't matter. She was by his side in the next instant and latched onto his arm. She looked at me, but spoke to him, "Honey, I was so worried. Is your friend okay?"