“Finley.” She sits up, removing her hand from my arm and glaring at me. “Next time you need anything, promise you’ll let me help, or I will tell everyone about your childhood obsession with that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle body pillow.”
I groan and cover my face, laughing behind my hands. “Fine. I promise. But honestly, it’s been better. Archer’s been a big help, actually.”
Her brows lift. “Archer. The guy from the other morning.” She leans back in her seat, tapping a finger on her chin. “What is happening with that?”
Thinking about Archer jolts something in my chest. “We’re together, I guess.” My face heats. It sounds so . . . immature. We haven’t had that whole exclusivity conversation, not really. In the past week, we’ve spent more time naked than conversing. But it feels serious, and it can’t be one-sided.
Mindy’s brows lift. “Together, huh? That happened quick.”
“I guess so. But everything is different with Archer. It’s hard to describe.” How could I explain to anyone the connection, the caring, and how it is between us?
“Can’t imagine it.” She shakes her head.
“Maybe if you took some time off, a vacation, or learned to relax a little, then you could find a hunk too.”
She snorts. “Like you did?”
“You’re right. He basically fell into my lap. Shoved there by Oliver Nichols of all people.”
Our conversation is cut short when Jacob’s doctor emerges from behind a set of double doors in the corner. I immediately stand up and move toward her, Mindy hot on my heels.
“He’s okay. Surgery went well. Luckily, it was a transverse fracture, and there was no damage to the supporting ligaments. He also has a moderate brain injury, and we had to drain some fluid around his brain. We’ll continue to monitor the swelling.”
Mindy squeezes my hand.
The doctor continues. “He’s sleeping now, but once the meds wear off, you can see him, although he may still be out of it. He has some bruising and scratches on his face and a lot of monitoring devices, so he looks worse for the wear, but it’s not as bad as it seems. With enough rest and a little bit of time, he should make a full recovery.”
“Thank you so much, Doctor,” I say.
She gives a short nod. “Someone will be out to get you as soon as he’s ready.”
As soon as she disappears behind the doors, Mindy and I collapse against each other, hugging in relief.
The doctor warned us that Jacob would look bad, but I can’t stop the gasp that escapes when we walk into his recovery room.
His face is swollen, bruised, and scraped. He has lacerations up and down his arms. His leg is up in a sling and in a cast to the hip.
It’s like every nightmare, every worry and anxiety I’ve had since Aria died has been laid out in front of me in physical form.
“Jesus,” Mindy says. “At least he’s sleeping.”
A nurse is in the room, checking his IV. “We’ll monitor him closely for a couple of hours while the anesthesia wears off,” he says. “Then he’ll be taken to an inpatient room, where you can spend more time with him.”
“Thank you,” Mindy tells him before he leaves the room to give us a few minutes.
My eyes are locked on Jake’s still form. His chest moves up and down with his slow breathing. Has this been his death wish all along? He has lived recklessly ever since Aria died. Is this close enough? Will this be enough to shake him from the stupor? Or is he going to have to keep going until he joins her on the other side?
My chest aches at the thoughts, my eyes watering, but I don’t cry. I can’t cry, not yet. I have to stay strong.
Mindy rests a careful hand over his. “Oh, Jake.” Her voice is just above a whisper. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here.” She looks over at me. “I’m so sorry, Fin. I didn’t know things were so bad.”
I shake my head. “There’s nothing you could have done.”
She steps toward me, putting an arm around my shoulders. “You okay?”
My back teeth clench. I swallow past a lump in my throat. I’m not okay. But I have to be.
“I’m fine.” We stand together next to his bed, the steady beat of the monitors the only sound.