He arched a brow.
I bit my lip. “Like an eighteen-wheeler ran over me.”
Beckett started to rise. “Let me get a nurse.”
I tugged him back down, but the action cost me, and my hand dropped back to my side. “Don’t go.” I couldn’t help the panic in my tone. I felt as if I might never see him again if he walked out that door.
“I’m not going anywhere.” He pressed a button on the side of my bed and then brushed the hair out of my face. “I’ve been with you this whole time. Only left to shower in the doctors’ locker room.”
My fingers found Beckett’s linking us together. “How long has it been?”
“Almost a week. You’ve been in and out of it but never fully lucid. You had a really bad infection. It was touch and go for a little while.”
My grip on Beckett’s hand tightened. “I’ll be okay, though?”
“You will be. But you need to take it easy. You’ll be in the hospital for a while longer, and then once you’re home, you’ll need lots of rest.”
“My job—”
“Laiken knows what happened. She said to take as long as you need to recover. Your job will be waiting.”
At least there was that.
Beckett’s other hand gently stroked the side of my face. “Addie?”
I looked up at him. So many emotions passed through those beautiful blue eyes, I couldn’t grab hold to identify even a single one. “What?”
“I love you. Started falling for you the moment I glued your hand. Lost a little more of myself to you every day. I don’t want to live this life without you.” His voice broke on the last sentence, and a tear tracked down his cheek. “I never want to feel what I’ve felt these last ten days ever again. I can’t take it.”
I released his hand and gripped his shirt, pulling him closer. “You don’t have to. I don’t want to lose you, either. That was the only thing I could think about when Allen had me. That I wished I’d told you a million times just how much I love you.”
“I knew. Even if I didn’t have the words, I felt it. You see me, Addie. In a way no one else ever has. It’s the greatest gift anyone’s ever given me.”
“I feel the same. You see my scars but never think I’m weak.”
Beckett brushed his lips against mine. “You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known. The most beautiful, in every way imaginable.”
“Beckett—” Everly’s words cut off as she took us in. “Oh, God, you’re awake.” Then she promptly burst into tears.
Hayes hurried in behind his fiancée. “What happened?” His gaze flew to me. “You’re awake.”
My lips twitched. “Apparently.”
Ev rushed to the side of my bed. “How do you feel? Does anything hurt? You need a nurse.” She sent a glare in Beckett’s direction. “You should’ve gotten her a nurse. I know you’re a doctor, but you can’t give her the medicine she needs.”
I grabbed my cousin’s arm. “Ev, I’m okay.”
Her eyes filled with tears again. “You’re okay.”
I nodded and glanced to Beckett and Hayes. “Thank you. For getting me out.”
“You don’t have to thank us,” Beckett growled.
“He’s right,” Hayes said. “Even if he’s being a little grouchy about it.”
My hand fisted in the sheets. “Allen…” I swallowed and started again. “He killed my mom.”
Hayes’ eyes turned hard as he moved closer to the bed. “How do you know?”