9. Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Evan
F uck, I knew I needed a new bed, but I haven't ever woken up with every inch of my body hurting like this. When I try to move, but my body feels like it's being weighed down with lead. I groan and try to open my eyes, but it's so bright that I shut them again.
“Hey, take it easy. Cody, can you turn the lights down?” The sweetest voice in the world says.
Calista.
What is she doing here? Where am I? I try to open my eyes again, and it's not as bright. When I turn my head toward Calista's voice, pain shoots down my arm.
“Hey, don't move. What do you need?” she asks.
“Where am I?” I croak.
Before she answers, she lifts a straw to my mouth, and I drink. The ice-cold water feels great going down my throat.
“In the hospital in Helena. Do you remember what happened?” she asks.
I think for a moment. What do I remember? We were raiding Kaylee's place. There was arguing at the door. Calvin ran and…. Fuck, the asshole shot me.
“I was shot. Don't remember much after that,” I say.
“This girl saved your life,” Rick says, stepping up beside her.
“What?” I ask.
“Kaylee went home from work sick, so I was just getting to her place to check on her. When I got there, it was chaos with cops running around. Then we heard a gunshot. I raced back, not knowing it was you. By the way, you are never allowed to scare me like that again,” she says, squeezing my hand.
I hadn't even realized until now she was holding it.
“I'll grab a nurse,” Rick says.
Cody takes his place on the bed. “Hey, you know this is the day we always feared. I'm glad you're okay,” he says.
“You and me both,” I say.
“Mom and Dad are in the waiting room. I'm going to go let them know you are okay,” he says and leaves Calista and me alone.
“Skye?” I ask.
“Mom picked her up from school and Drew, Colt, and Kaiden stayed with her. They built this elaborate fort in the living room. We haven't told her yet. We didn't want to stress her out too much,” she says.
“She is a lot for them to handle for more than a night. Plus, she will want to be back in her own bed, and she has a project due at the end of the week, and it’s in her room,” my mind races.
“No Problem. I can go get all her stuff, and go stay with Mom and Dad to help out,” she says.
That calms me enough that I can smile at her. There’s a soft knock on the door, which pulls my attention from her. Her parents walk in, greeting me.
“I'm so glad you are awake!” Maggie comes over, takes my hand from Calista, and holds it between hers. “You gave us quite a scare. While it's always a possibility, we thought the chances were so slim here in Whiskey River!”
Don wraps his arm around his wife's shoulders and smiles.
“I can't wait to hear all about it. Did they tell you that Skye is with us?”
“I just told him,” Calista says from the back of the room.
“Do you want us to bring her up to see you?” Maggie asks.
“I want to hold her, but I don't want her to see me like this. This isn't what I want her to picture every time I go off to work. Do you think we can video call her?”
“Of course! I don’t think Cody is leaving your side, and Calista has been here the whole time, too. So we can set it up, I'm sure,” Maggie says.
Calista has been here the whole time? Why does that thought make my heart race? I'm sure it has to do with Cody being here, too. Cody’s here, and being it’s her brother, she's probably here to support him.
“Well, I just wanted to pop in and see you with my own eyes. Since you seem to be in good hands, we are going to go home and talk with Skye,” Maggie says.
“I will be here. Just call me, and we can set up a video call,” Cody says, walking back in.
They give me an awkward hug and leave as Rick and the nurse walk in.
“I called the Chief so he could let the guys know you are up. He's been processing a ton of paperwork and getting Calvin booked,” Rick says.
“Did you guys catch him?” I ask.
“Yep. Calvin was being held until we found out how you did to see what his official charges would be. I’m sure he will be happy to have his charges dropped from murder to assault of a police officer on top of all the drug charges,” Rick says.
“I'm glad you got him,” I say.
“Well, I'm heading out. I have a ton of paperwork too. Calista, you got the Chief's number. Keep him updated, yeah?” Rick says.
“I will,” she says, hugging Rick.
“Okay, pause the shop talk. How are we feeling Detective?” The nurse asks after taking my vitals.
“Like I’ve been shot.”
“Well, you are due for more pain meds, so I will go get those. Did they tell you about your injuries?” she asks.
“No,” I say with a slight cough being as my throat is so dry.
I don't even have to ask Calista if she has the water there because the straw is already to my lips.
“Well, you were lucky. Even though you were shot, it missed any major veins. You did have quite a bit of blood loss. After you were rushed into surgery, they removed the bullet and repaired your shoulder. It will take some time to heal and then some physical therapy, but you are expected to make a good recovery. We will know more once the swelling is down. Also, you have a sprained wrist and a sprained ankle, lots of bruises, and a mild concussion. You have a long road ahead of you,” she finishes.
“How long will I be here?”
“A few days, most likely. We want to make sure you are healing and that there are no adverse effects from the concussion. When you are released, you won't be able to be on your own. For the first few weeks, you will need help because you can’t use crutches, and you can't walk on your leg.”
Great, I can't even think about making those arrangements considering how much my head hurts right now.
The nurse leaves, and Calista comes back to my side, taking my hand again.
“Calista can stay with you when you get out,” Cody says.
“What?” The thought of Calista in my place sets my head spinning.
“She is experienced at things this. Skye likes her, so that's not a problem. You know she will love having another female around. Even better, Calista knows what to watch for, so the chances they will let you out earlier are higher,” Cody says.
“I'm happy to do it. The distillery can wait,” Calista says.
“I don't want to be a burden.”
“You aren't. You are family and this is what family does,” Cody says.
I just nod as the nurse comes back in and gives me a dose of what I assume are pain meds through the IV.
“I’m going to go to your place, get a bag together for Skye, and check on my brothers. I will be back tomorrow. Let me know if you want me to bring you anything,” Calista says.
“Make sure to grab Skye's unicorn stuffie. She can't sleep without it. Though she will try hard to convince you that she needs to wear a fancy dress to school. She doesn't. Jeans are fine,” I say.
“We got this. This isn't our first rodeo with her. She will be fine, I promise,” Cody says before turning to Calista. “Can you stay a little longer? I have a few calls to make.”
“No problem, take your time,” she says.
“You sure? Do you need anything?” Cody asks.
“Nope. I'm good,” she says, and she hugs Cody before he leaves.
“Are you sure you are okay staying with me when I get out?” I ask her when it's just the two of us.
“I promise I am. Actually, I’m looking forward to spending some time with Skye.”
I can feel the drugs working, and things get a bit fuzzy. But one thought keeps circling in my head.
I hope you don't see me as family.