Chapter Twenty-Eight
T he steady, rhythmic beeping of the machines by my side echoed in my head, each beep like a metronome. There was a sterile scent of antiseptic that clung to the air, mixing with an unexpected hint of freshly brewed coffee that somehow drifted from beyond these walls.
My eyes opened, the weight of somnolence still pressing heavily on my eyelids. My vision blurred a little until I was able to focus and check out my surroundings. White walls stretched on, their surfaces catching and reflecting the cold, clinical light from the overhead fluorescent bulbs. Above, ceiling tiles formed an unbroken pattern of off-white squares, each blending seamlessly into the next. Heavy, beige curtains covered the window, barely pulled back to let the world outside peek through. the sunlight casting only the faintest glow on the floor.
Everything was meant for function rather than comfort.
The bed beneath me was firm but supportive, and the neatly tucked sheets wrapped around me like a snug cocoon. A light rested on top, offering just enough warmth without overheating me.
Breathing was laborious, each inhale ached that radiated in my chest. Everything hurt. My muscles were weak and I could barely lift my legs, and my wrists were taped up. Most of all, my back. Just laying on it had to be the most uncomfortable feeling in the world.
What I saw next made everything else fall away. The ache, the hospital room, even the steady annoying beeping of the machines, it all faded to the background as my gaze found him.
Leo.
He was here with me, slumped in a chair beside me. His disheveled body seemed to have finally succumbed to the exhaustion. His blonde locks haphazardly in every direction, results of anxious hands running through it repeatedly.
Beneath his closed eyes were dark circles that bore constant worry and sleepless nights. Which has me thinking...how long have I been unconscious? Leo’s hand was wrapped around mine, his fingers entwined with mine.
A smile tugged at my lips.
Having Leo here beside me—despite what must have been an unbearably uncomfortable position, watching me kiss another man—made my heart flutter.
It quickly reminded me of his wound from the gunshot. From the looks of it, he was able to get treated as it now was in a noose to help support and strain any stitches they had to give—he even changed into different clothes.
Leaning slightly forward, ”Leo,” I whispered, running my fingers through his hair gently.
He stirred, his fingers tightening around mine. Leo’s eyes opened, confusion clouding his gaze for a monet, but the instant he met mine, everything changed as relief washed over his face. He shot up from the chair, leaning over me, his free hand cupping my face.
“Drew,” he breathed, his voice cracking with emotion, “You’re awake.”
I nod.
Fighting to find the right words again, I wanted to tell him everything-how deeply I loved him, how grateful I was, how profoundly sorry I felt for putting him through this nightmare. But all that escaped my lips was broken.
In the end, all I managed was a choked, ”I’m so sorry.”
“What?” He responded, standing near the edge of the bed, “No, no Drew. Don’t apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m the one that should be apologizing. I should’ve gotten to you sooner. I should’ve..." Closing his eyes, he took a deep, shuddering breath, “I thought I lost you.”
The amount of love he had for me, oozed out of him like a tidal wave, drowning me in the process.
”You saved me,” I say, the words trembling on my lips.
I squeezed his hand, my own tears falling freely.
He let out a shaky laugh, his forehead coming to rest against mine, “I’ll do it again.”
My eyes flung open, “Oh my God, Trey...Emily, how are they doing?”
“They’re fine,” he assured me, “They got checked out, nothing is broken or fractured, just a few bumps and bruises. They wanted to be here, but the doctors wouldn’t let too many people in at once. They’re waiting to see you as soon as they release you.”
A small sigh of relief expelled from my mouth. If something had happened to them, there’d be no forgiving myself.
“How did they get all tangled up in this?” I asked.
“Same way Kyle did us,” Leo said, unsurprised.
“I don’t understand,” I quizzically said.
“He hacked your Facebook, turned off notifications, and was messaging them to come over. It was meticulously planned.”
”Jesus. The amount of lengths he took,” I said, “...and what happened to him?”
There was a pause between us.
Did I want to know what happened to him, or simply just move on from what happened with Kyle back in the playroom?
“He’s been apprehended,” Leo stated, “The authorities arrive in time. He will not be able to harm anyone else.”
“Is he here?” I said, gesturing my hand around the room.
“No. I specifically told the police to take him to another hospital. There was no argument on their end.”
Knowing that he was finally out of our lives was akin to having an immense weight lifted from my chest. It felt as though I could finally breathe again, unburdened by fear.
“I was terrified,” I confessed softly, “not just for myself, but for all of you. The thought of anything happening to you, or Trey or Emily was unbearable.”
“Seeing you like that..." Leo started to say, a few tears falling while looking deeply into my eyes.
“Between you and me, I was ready to let Kyle take me,” I confessed.
Another pause fell between us.
“Then I would have killed him,” Leo said, “You have no idea how much that would have an effect on me.”
Before I could say anything, the door to the room swung open and a doctor walked in. The physician, middle-aged with graying hair with perceptive eyes, quickly took in the scene, Leo’s tear-streaked face and us holding hands.
“Is this a bad time?” The doctor asked.
“No, no. Come on in,” Leo implored, whipping his face quickly.
“Drew, I’m happy to see you up and sort of moving around,” he chuckled, “My name is Dr. Foster and I’m the one who examined you when you came in three days ago.”
Three days ago?
I haven’t been here that long then. It seems like I’ve been asleep for a couple weeks now, but I’m guessing with the state I’m in, the body could feel that way.
“Nice to meet Dr. Foster,” I say.
“You’ve endured a significant ordeal, but your progress is notable given the circumstances,” Dr. Foster explains.
Leo turned to face Dr. Foster, still holding my hand.
“Although you have sustained considerable bruising and open lacerations, and some internal inflammation, there’s no indication of permanent damage. Full recovery will take time. As long as you change out your bandages, you will be absolutely fine.”
“Can I go home?” I asked.
“You have two options. You are good to be discharged in a couple of hours or if you feel you need a couple extra days here, I’m sure the hospital can accommodate. ”
I glanced at my boyfriend, who offered me a small, encouraging smile.
“It’s up to you,” Leo tells me.
The smell of the hospital room was something I wanted to leave behind as soon as possible. It was going to take some time for my body to be fully functioning again. And all I wanted to do now was be comfortable, and be around Leo.
“I want to go home,” I said confidently, squeezing my man’s hand.
Dr. Foster smiled, “Alright. I’ll start the paperwork, and a nurse will come by soon to go over the post-discharge care instructions. Drew, you need plenty of rest and care. With the support you have,” he gave Leo a knowing look, “I’m sure you’ll recover fast and well.”
“And you, Leo,” he suddenly pivoted, “You need to rest as well. Luckily the gunshot was clean, through and through. Don’t go saving anyone else for a while.”
“Will do, Doctor. And thank you.” Leo said, letting go of my hand and offering it to the doctor.
Dr. Foster stepped forward taking Leo’s hand into his own, and gripped firmly, “You both are very welcome.”
As the door clicked shut behind him, it was just Leo and me again. The apartment was trashed—probably yellow police tape everywhere as well—but none of that mattered. Just being near Leo felt like home, no matter how wrecked everything else was. He stood a few steps away, the faintest crook of a smile tugging at this lips.
“Home, huh?” Leo said, his voice teasing but warm. “I guess that means I’ll have to clean up your apartment.”
I let out a small, rough laugh, instantly regretting it as pain surged from my back.
“I can always hire someone to come and clean it up after the police get done with it. Can I stay with you until it’s ready?” I say to Leo.
“You want to go back to my place knowing that the playroom is right there?”
I exhaled sharply and lay back in my bed, the memory crashing over me. How could I forget this place—the room where someone had wielded a whip to victimize and abuse me?
“Look Leo. Yes, everything went down there, including me accepting the fact I was going to die. But I didn’t,” I said, taking a breath. “The playroom isn’t to blame, Kyle is. Like you said about our love and what we have, he can’t take that away. So, I’m more than okay to be there. With you.”
“Drew,” Leo began, “I can’t tell you how beyond happy I am that you’re okay. These last seventy-two hours have been the scariest of my life. And..."
He trailed off, biting the bottom of his lip gathering what appears to be courage.
“And?” I urged, trying to read his blue eyes.
“And I’ve been thinking about something, for a while now. It’s also not because of what happened. I’ve been feeling this for a while and if you’re not ready, or think it’s too early, I understand.”
There was a tone of uncertainty coming from Leo, which was absolutely rare to hear.
“What is it, Leo?” I asked, my own voice barely steady.
My heart picked up speed, holding my breath at the same time. The sincerity in his eyes rooted me to the moment. His hand lingered over mine again, his touch sparking electricity.
He looked down for a second, his focus on our intertwined fingers before flickering back up to mine, this time without any shadow of a doubt as a smile broke across his face, tugging at the corners of his lips.
“Move in with me.”