Chapter 63 - Reese
Irode with her in the ambulance to the hospital, and I’ve not left her side since. I won’t, no matter what. She’s got heated blankets covering her body, warm fluids being administered through her IV, and the monitor shows her heartbeat’s steady.
The doctor said we got to both of them early enough to prevent any permanent damage, but Sheriff Folley’s still in surgery.
His condition’s touch and go, and he lost a lot of blood, but the cold actually helped slow the bleeding enough to keep him alive.
Maxine’s been back and forth the whole time we’ve been here, checking in with Folley’s wife and getting as many updates as we can.
Spencer got stitched up and called his husband, I’m glad I wasn’t privy to that particular call.
Lucy’s eyelids flutter and I hit my feet before she fully opens her eyes. Stroking the pieces of hair that have shifted on her face, I press my hand to her cheek. “You scared me there, Goldie.”
She blinks a few times and groans, but shifts her body. “Is he–”
“He’s in custody,” I confirm, knowing she’s talking about Brent.
She sighs into my hand and reaches up to grip my wrist. “I never thought…”
“Shhh,” I stop her, she doesn’t need this. She didn’t do anything wrong, nothing to deserve this.
“Oh, Folley!” She gasps, trying to sit up.
Gently pressing her shoulders down, I give her the last update we got from Folley’s surgeon and she cries. Great big sobs wrack her body as she processes everything.
“He–he–he told–” she tries but starts to hyperventilate with tears and I slide onto the bed, careful to avoid her IV and wrap her in my body.
“Goldie,” I whisper in her ear, “slow down and tell me when you’re ready.”
She shivers and more tears track down her cheeks as she slowly evens out her breathing.
“He told me he came to see why the glass was busted, and when he saw Brent… He told me to tell his wife and son that he loves them, Reese. He thought he was going to die, he was reassuring me the whole time even though he was worse off than I was.”
“That had to be incredibly scary,” I close my eyes to keep my own tears at bay. “I can’t believe that piece of shit. Goddammit I should have never left you alone.”
“Reese,” she goes still and sniffles. “No one could’ve known Brent would do something like this. He’s got something dark inside of him, and I’m glad he’s out of our lives.”
I stroke her hair, enjoying the feeling of her beside me, alive and whole, and I thank God.
“We’ll work through this,” she says, determination threaded through her words, and I let out a big breath.
“Together,” I add, holding her to me and cherishing having her in my arms.
Her tears have subsided as her breathing evens out. I listen, counting her breaths as if to reassure myself that she’s going to be okay. She’s here, whole, and we’re going to live out the rest of our lives together.
That is… once I ask her.
I fall asleep not long after, with her wrapped in my arms on a tiny hospital bed.
An odd sensation wakes me from my sleep. My skin prickles and when I crack my eyes open, I spot a woman sitting in the chair I occupied before I couldn’t take it anymore and cuddled up with Goldie.
She waves and smiles, but it’s a wild sort of smile that sets me on alert. Her hair’s two different colors, and when she leans forward in the seat she giggles.
“Hello,” she says, pulling at the scrubs she’s got on. She doesn't have a badge, or any identification which makes me immediately look at the door. “Don’t worry, lover boy. I won’t hurt you, I’m here for you. Well, I guess I’m here for her too, but not in the way you’re thinking.”
When she scoots closer to the edge of the chair I can make out the tattoo on her neck.
Menace.
Spelled out in bold letters that cover the front of her neck and I move to block Lucy as much as I can.
“I hope this will be the last time I see you,” she winks and stands, moving to the foot of the bed. “I’d hate for your sweet Mama lose another baby boy.”
“What do you–”
She waves her hand and walks to the door. “You’re cute, and I think you’re alright, but just know, I’ll be keeping tabs on you.”
Watching her skip away, wearing… fucking taco slippers, I blink a few times and shake my head. At the end of the hall, she turns and blows a bubble of bright pink gum. With a pop she’s around the corner and I’m left wondering who the hell that was.