“Yep,” I agree and feel my adrenalin draining. “You should have let me after her.”
His face pops up, humor filling his eyes. “When did you become Manny Pacquiao?”
“Who?”
“Never mind.” He shakes his head but can’t hide his amusement.
“Seriously, Nate, I was so mad she didn’t have a chance.” I hop from foot to foot, punching the air. “Look at my stealth moves.”
He opens his mouth to speak, but a loud beeping cuts through the room. We both rush to the bed and see Bryce’s chest jerking. Deja vu hits me with memories from the last time this happened. A nurse comes in and shifts me to the side. Dave is right behind her.
“Did anything happen?” She hits a few buttons on the monitor.
“Yes, my sister was being a goofy idiot,” Nate answers and gives me a pointed look. As soon as the words leave his mouth, my parents and Sheila come back in.
The nurse looks at me with a smile. “I’d recommend continuing that. He seemed to like it.”
“You think he heard us?” I squeal.
“Sure do. Think he enjoyed what he heard, too. His heart rate increased, but he’s not in distress.”
“Is he waking up?”
“We can hope. This is a good sign. Keep up the good work.” She pats me on the shoulder and leaves.
“What exactly were you doing?” Shelia asks.
“I was showing Nate my boxing moves.” I step back and demonstrate again, getting a laugh from everyone.
“You certainly seem better than when we left,” Mom points out.
“I am.”
I try to tamper down the desperate emotions from earlier and concentrate on the hope that Bryce is coming out of this coma.
Chapter 35
I glance at my watch for the hundredth time and wonder what’s taking Quinn so long. She drove into town thirty minutes ago. If she’s not here in five minutes, I’m leaving without her. She knows today is important.
“Sheila, I’m only going to be gone for a little while. If anything at all happens, you call me. We won’t be far.”
“We’ll be fine. It’s time you get out of this hospital.”
“Do you need me to get you anything?”
“Another board game?” Dave throws in. “I’m sick of the one we have.”
“You’re only sick of it because I beat you every time we play,” I point out. “But I’ll take pity and pick up something else.”
“Knock, knock!” Quinn comes through the door carrying an enormous bunch of balloons.
“What the hell?”
“Shut it! They’re my contribution to the room.” She sets them on the window sill and comes directly to me.
After we hug, she greets Sheila and Dave then goes to Bryce. “Buddy, naptime is over. Time to come play with the big kids. Promise not to make fun of you too much.” She leans in and whispers something in his ear then kisses his cheek gently.
“Anyone going to shave this beast?” She points to his scruffy beard.