Most were sympathetic to the unfortunate situation at hand; others were furious that the fight had ended abruptly.
Kayden had been advised by the medics to call an ambulance since nobody knew how bad my head trauma was. But someone from the crowd warned them that if they called an ambulance, everybody in the camp would go to jail. Kayden wasn’t willing to risk another second without getting me medical aid, and since his truck was among all the other cars parked at the outer rim of the camp, he decided to make a run for it and bring me to the nearest hospital himself.
As Brent recounted what happened, some of those memories hurtled back to me. Hearing bits and pieces of alarming conversation between Kayden and Brent and Julian arguing about the best way to handle me, then Kayden sprinting out of the cage with me as he begged me not to quietly slip away . . .
“I can’t believe he did that,” I say incredulously, sinking back into my pillow. To run as far as he did while carrying another whole person in your arms must have taken a lot out him, since he’d been lying nearly unconscious in the cage before that.
“You know he would have run a goddamned marathon for you if it meant that you were safe,” Brent explains.
“At least he made it to the hospital in time. The rest of us arrived shortly after to make sure you were okay.” Evans continues on Brent’s behalf. “When we asked where Kayden went, one of the nurses explained that after he brought you to the hospital . . .”—he swallows hard, wishing he didn’t have to say what I’d already feared—“he chose not to stick around.”
“So he’s gone?” I whisper, already knowing the answer.
“We don’t know where he is,” Julian says, sitting by the edge of my bed. He doesn’t usually show a lot of emotion, but this time I detect a sliver of sympathy when he looks at me.
“I need to find out,” I say adamantly. “He needs me.”
Julian shakes his head in disagreement. “He needs time.”
“Julian’s right,” Brent adds, discomfort causing his body to go rigid. “He’s not talking to anyone. I would know. I tried calling him all last night and this morning.”
I slump in disappointment. I know Brent to be telling the truth. He’s his brother; I’m sure he’s worried about Kayden too.
“I told you not to fuck with the underground, Sienna,”
Julian says, his forehead scrunching up in a frown. “Because the underground will fuck with you back. Exhibit A.”
“It was a freak accident. Nobody could’ve anticipated that the night would’ve turned out like this,” I reply quietly, fiddling with the corner of my sheets.
Despite everyone leaving that final fight more or less intact, I still feel unsettled. Anger balls in my stomach—anger I have no right to feel—when I think about Kayden making the decision to tap out without even discussing it with me first, chucking all our hard work out the window.
But I still love him. Still want to see him and make sure he’s okay. There are many things that Kayden and I still need to figure out, and I wish he was here so we could work through them together.
“Do you think what Kayden did was right?” I murmur to Julian. “Throwing that fight?”
“No, but I think in his own twisted way he thought it was the only way to help you,” he replies honestly, brows twitching together. “I did warn you, Sienna. Your anger is going to be your destruction. That boy will do anything for you, even if it means saving you from yourself.”
I don’t say anything. Perhaps it’s because I’m too stubborn to admit that I might have been responsible for sending Kayden down this path. Maybe if I did, then last night wouldn’t have had to happen. And Kayden and I would be more than fine.
The door to my room opens and my dad sticks his head through. Relief washes over his expression when he sees me.
“Hey, glad to see you’re awake,” he says, pushing the door open. Alyson immediately rushes to my side while Beth steps hesitantly into the room last.
“Oh, thank God.” Alyson exhales, cupping both my hands in hers. She looks like she’s been crying; her black eyeliner is smudged a little on the sides. “We were so worried about you.”
“We’ll give you guys some privacy,” Brent announces, shooting out of his seat. Julian nudges Evans along with a hand and I wave good-bye to them as they exit the room.
My dad moves to the other side, occupying Brent’s spot, and Beth awkwardly stands beside him, rubbing her hands together, like she isn’t sure what to do with them.
“How’re you feeling?” My dad asks worriedly.
“All right,” I manage to muster. “My head’s still throbbing but it’s nothing serious.”
“Is there anything we can do for you?” Alyson offers kindly, her hand drifting upward to smooth my hair.
“Yeah,” I say, propping myself up. “Weren’t you guys supposed to go on your honeymoon?”
“You’re more important to us than some vacation.” She smiles.