"That does sound like a nightmare," Monroe agreed, squeezing my hand.
Nodding, I started to drift off again when I remembered Monroe could give me the answer about Jude. Peeking open my eyes, I grabbed his hand to get his attention.
"Jude?" I asked, fear in my voice.
"Funny you should ask." He grinned. A few seconds later, the door opened, and in walked my shaggy-haired, goofy-looking teenager. At the sight of me awake in the bed, he ran toward me and started to hug me but stopped himself when he took in my injuries.
"You better get over here and give me a hug, weirdo," I ordered.
Not hesitating this time, he pulled me into a tight embrace. It hurt at the movement, but it was worth it. Once I settled into his arms, everything felt right in my life again. After a few minutes, I pulled back, wiping the tears from both of our faces.
"I'm so sorry, kid. I didn't think about having a contingency plan in place. I told you I'd keep you safe, and then this happens, and you're yanked all over the place again. I..."
"Stop, it's not your fault. You saved me, Loren. I felt so scared and then when I had to leave you I worried you'd be alone. I hated it, but Mitzi told me it would be better for you, so I agreed. I regretted it each day I didn't hear any news, but I kept hoping. I had to."
"Hopefully, that won't happen again. I'm sorry I didn't think about it sooner, Loren. When I couldn't get a hold of you, I started to get worried. Then I heard about the explosion on the news, but when I called the hospitals, they wouldn't release any information to me," Monroe admitted.
"It's okay, you guys. It doesn't matter anymore. You're here now. Thank you. Even you, Surly."
"I'm just here because I didn't have anything better to do, and I was tired of hearing that one whine about how he missed you. Don't let it go to your head, kitten."
"Yeah, okay," I snarked back, making everyone, including Wells, break out into laughter.
"So when you say it won't happen again, what does that mean?" Jude asked Monroe, picking up on something I'd missed.
"Well, I submitted paperwork today to fast track your case, and I added me as your emergency placement until Loren is out of the hospital."
"Really?" Tears came to my eyes at his thoughtfulness. Monroe was too good.
"Really."
"Thank you," I mouthed, no longer able to get the words out as the emotion leaked out of me in full force.
"Well, it's getting too touchy-feely in here. I'm going for a walk. Text me when you're ready to go, Monroe," Wells said but hesitated at the door, looking back. "Glad you're not dead, kitten. I expect to see you in Windy City as soon as you can, though. No wussing out on me."
Rolling my eyes at Wells as he left, I sighed in relief at finally getting ahold of someone I cared about.
"So, what's up with that?" I asked Monroe. He shook his head, giving me a look I hoped meant he'd explain more later. "Well, what happened after the explosion? I don't remember much," I admitted to Jude.
"It's kind of a blur for me too. I remember you saying something and then the noise, you pushing yourself in front of me and covering me as we fell. After that, it's all a haze. We came to the ER, and I stayed as long as possible until they forced me to leave. Since then, I've been waiting to hear something. My phone was destroyed, so I've had no way to get ahold of anyone. I haven't even heard from Immy."
The mention of Immy had me remembering Nicco and how they'd been dragged out of the restaurant. Clearing my head, I pushed it aside for now. I'd have to find a way to reach them when we were out of here, but for now, the two people in the room were who mattered. Holding both their hands, I relaxed into their hold and comfort. This time when I fell into oblivion, it was with two anchors securing me to them.