“Hunter, I’m so sorry. I feel terrible.”
“Don’t do that. It’s not your fault. None of it is your fault. You’re my friend, and I’d do it again all over if I had to choose. I’ll always answer your call. If you need me, I’ll be there.”
“You’re a good friend.” We’ve had our moments, but Hunter is always real with me.
“So are you.”
I shake my head. “I’m not but thank you for thinking it anyway.”
“How’s Killian?”
I stare at my blood-stained shoes and suck in a breath. “No change.”
“He’s going to pull through this. He’s got you waiting for him.”
I swallow hard and nod. “I’m so lost. My world revolves around him. What if…” I can’t bring myself to say what if he never wakes up.
“Don’t think like that. If anyone can come back from an accident like that its him. He’s going to fight his way back to you. You guys belong together. I may not agree with all his choices but he’s crazy about you, Liri. Even a blind man could see that.”
“I hope so. Can I get you anything?”
“Nah. My sister is working, and my parents are on their way. You
should get cleaned up so that the first thing Killian sees when he wakes up is your beautiful face.”
“You’re sweet. Get some rest. I’ll come check on you later.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be home before you know it. Focus on taking care of you and being there when Killian wakes up.”
If he wakes up…
Please let him come back to me.
**
“This is the song that was playing that first night we met when you took me to that first race with you.” I place an earbud in Killian’s ear as White Zombie plays from my phone. His nurse said it could help. I’ll play him every song ever made if it gets him to open his eyes. I just need him to wake up.
“I was so mad at you. And then you kissed me, and I think I knew then that I never wanted to kiss anyone else ever. You were so cocky and broody. But you were so bad in your leather jacket. A rebel without a cause. I fell so fast and stupid for you and your smile.” I stroke his jaw wishing I could see him smile again. I think I’d give anything to see him smile. “I need you. Please don’t leave me. I can’t do this without you. I don’t want to live in a world where you don’t exist.”
Bending down I press my lips to his forehead.
I thought I had lost him. The first seventy-two hours were critical because of the swelling and bleeding on his brain. He’s lucky. We’re lucky he’s still here. He’s suffering cuts and deep contusions, but his injuries could have been way worse than they are. The woman he hit only suffered a mild concussion. Ben’s car is completely totaled but it is replaceable. Killian isn’t.
Scooting my chair up to the side of his bed, I take my seat and his hand, brushing my fingers over his busted knuckles.
“Don’t tell me I’m not allowed in there. She’s my child and who do you think is footing the bill. Move out of my way.”
Ugh. My mother’s voice carries down the corridor. I ignore her as she forces her way into Killian’s hospital room. I keep rubbing his hand and playing him his favorite music as my mother’s eyes bore into my back like hot laser beams.
She can stare at me all she likes I have nothing to say to her.
“Sweetheart.” Her hand lands on my shoulder giving me a firm squeeze. “You need rest. You’re not sleeping. You’re losing weight. This isn’t healthy. Killian would want you to take care of yourself.”
What would she know about it?
I push her hand away and twist sideways to meet her eyes. “What would you know about what Killian would want?” I scoff and shake my head as tears threaten to fall. “He’d want me here when he wakes up. That’s what he’d want.” I wipe at my eyes and turn back toward my boyfriend.
“I know you think I don’t get it, but I do. You think I didn’t sit by your father’s bedside after his accident and do the same things you’re doing now. I promised anything in the world if he’d just open his eyes for me. Do you know it pains me to see you putting yourself through that exact heartache?”