Chapter 43
RYDER
Warm fingers encase mine. A soft hum fills my ears as something grips my legs, holding them and squeezing.
I try to open my eyes, but my eyelids are so heavy. I pry them open enough, but it’s dark. Nothing but the glow of. . .
Where am I?
I can’t move. My mind kicks my heart into action, and I’m suddenly alert. My head swirls as I try to push up with my free elbow. Wires swarm me, and my legs won’t budge.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
It grows louder as I try to sit up again, but I can’t. My chest caves in on top of my lungs.
“Hey.” Cole’s face appears above me. “Hey, it’s ok. You’re ok. It’s just me.” His warm hand slides against my cheek.
I pull in bits of air, staring into his eyes that I can barely make out through the blue glow of the room.
He leans forward and presses his lips to my forehead. “You’re ok. I’m right here. Shhh.”
He stays there, close, waiting for my body to stand down.
I try to swallow, but it feels like pouring sand down my throat.
He pulls away, holding my gaze until my breaths settle into a more normal rhythm. “You’re ok.” I’m not sure if he’s telling himself or me.
He takes my hand again and eases back. “They said you could have a little water. You want some?”
I nod, my eyes tracking him as everything slowly comes into focus. I peer down, finding my arm tucked in a sling over a hospital gown and. . .
Flashbacks flood my mind. Racing through the dark streets. The dark parking lot. Cole stepping off the bus. A dark profile leaning over the hood of a car, taking aim. Running and—
He’s ok.
I close my eyes, my throat burning in a whole new way.
“Here.” He puts a straw to my lips, and I sip, the room-temperature liquid washing down the ache and threat.
He runs a hand over my head. “Just rest. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.” He sets the Styrofoam cup aside and wraps his hand around mine again, pulling a chair flush with the side of the bed.
I close my eyes, surrounded by the safety of his presence.
He’s ok. It’s all that matters. I want him to stay with me tonight, but tomorrow, he has to go.
This is my life. It’s what I was made to do. And Cole was made for so much more than this.