Chapter 18
—Reed—
Oh, my heart. It had run a million miles an hour in desperation to see her again. I relentlessly paced the length of the support room while Kasey’s parents were in her room. By the time I’d arrived, her parents were already with her and had requested a little time with her alone. I got it, I really fucking did, but the wait was killing me.
Thankfully, I had Banks and Simone nearby. They sat in chairs, holding hands. Sitting still wasn’t an option for me. It emphasized the tearing sensation deep in my chest whenever I so much as paused.
“Fuck, how long are they going to be?” I hissed, lacing both hands behind my head and sending my elbows wide.
“They’ll be mindful of you waiting, dude, but remember that’s their daughter,” Banks murmured, checking his watch. Despite his words, his lips pressed into a firm line.
“And she’s my partner,” I snapped.
“Shouldn’t be much longer, Reed,” Simone added.
I resumed my pacing, passing them every few strides before spinning and retracing my steps.
Banks’s knee jiggled impatiently—the only outward indication that he, too, was finding the wait excruciating.
Twenty minutes later, I was on the cusp of imploding. Thank fuck Arty and Georgia entered the room before I started ranting.
I rushed at them without giving them a chance to get a word in. “How is she?”
Georgia’s eyes still shimmered with tears. “She’s okay. Very tired, but she’s okay.”
My entire body deflated. “Thank Christ.”
Arty clapped me on the shoulder. “You can go in, son. The staff know you’re on your way.”
“Thank you.” I glanced to Banks in question.
He nodded, yet him and Simone remained sitting. “We’ll give you a few minutes.”
“Thanks, man.”
My heart beat out of my damn chest as I entered Kasey’s room. I paused at the threshold to sanitize, then checked in with the nurse for an update. There wasn’t anything substantial to report, aside from her being in and out of wakeful states.
At her bedside, I threaded my fingers with hers and stroked her hair with my other hand.
“Hey baby. I’m here now. Keep swimming upward, darlin’.”
I bit back the lump in my throat and kissed her knuckles, all while constantly willing her to wake up for me. God, I loved her so much it hurt. The aching void in my chest hadn’t left since Eric and I had driven to the crash scene.
I gently ran my knuckles down her cheek. “You’re so beautiful,” I murmured grittily.
Her eyes flickered, giving me hope. I sat straighter. Chanted my prayers a fraction faster and squeezed her hand a little harder.
I held my breath for what seemed like minutes, all while tenderly skimming my fingers down her face again and smoothing her hair back from the bandages.
When there was no response after my attempt to rouse her, my heart grew heavy. Utterly defeated, I sank into the chair at her bedside once more and prayed for a miracle.