Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
ADELE
Emergency contacts
Cole’s eyes widened slightly. “You do?”
I rolled my eyes, mostly at myself. “Yes,” I said firmly.
“Are you sure you’re not just saying that because of the anxiety cocktail?” His lips teased at the corners.
I shook my head. “Absolutely not. Those meds are good enough to stop a panic attack, but they’re not going to make me tell someone I love them if I don’t.”
His low chuckle reverberated through me. “So, what now?” he asked.
“We wait until they tell me I can go home. I hate the hospital.” I took a breath, letting it out in a gust.
“I don’t think anybody likes it,” he said softly. “Do you want me to meet your sister?”
I hesitated for a beat, trying to gather my thoughts. “I suppose we should have that conversation before she gets here. I do want you to meet her.”
“Are you glad she’s coming?”
I nodded. “I really am. I get nervous with her because I feel so”—I let out a breath—“I guess guilty. I took up a lot of time and attention and energy in our family when I was younger. Obviously, she went into the field that would’ve made sure she could’ve fixed my heart when I was little if she could’ve. ”
Just then, a knock at the door reminded me why hospitals weren’t great.
Having a moment—a meaningful moment of any kind—was hard to come by.
You had to grab them when you could. But then, I suppose that was like life in general.
Hospitals were a slice of life that amplified the entire experience—the good, the bad, and the messy.
“It’s me!” Holly called in a singsong voice as she peeked around the door. “How are you feeling?”
“Good,” I called.
“How’s your heartbeat feel?”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s beating.”
“Oh, it’s not going to stop that,” she said as she came in. “I promise you.”
Cole glanced her way, brow furrowed with worry. “Is that something we need to worry about?”
“Cole! My heart is fine.”
“Uh, well, you’re here at the hospital,” he pointed out. “Can you blame me for worrying?”
Just then, we heard Haven’s voice from the hallway. “Coffee coming!”
He entered the room, handing over a paper cup to Cole, who sipped it gratefully, never once letting go of my hand.
“We’re in group project territory,” Holly said with a wink. “Your sister said she should be here soon.” She whipped out a stethoscope and held it to my heart. “It’s sounding better,” Holly said.
Holly had to hurry back out to deal with something else. Haven and Cole kept me entertained while Haven proceeded to tell me funny stories about Cole when he was younger.
“He’s the best though,” Haven said at one point.
Cole waggled his brows. “I am the best.”
I looked between them. “I love your family,” I said, glancing at Cole.
“Good thing. Because you’re stuck with them. All of them.”
“Yeah, those Silver boys are a family package,” Holly said as she walked back in. “And your sister is here.”
“Hey there,” Rowan said as she entered, her worried gaze sweeping over me.
For the first time since he’d arrived, Cole actually let go of my hand, standing beside my hospital bed.
Rowan’s eyes arced over to him. “So you’re Cole.”
“I am. Nice to meet you,” he said. “And this is my brother Haven.” He gestured to Haven.
Haven dipped his chin. “Nice to meet you, Rowan.”
“Nice to meet you both. Do you mind if I have Holly fill me in on your status?” My sister’s hazel gaze was warm as she glanced among us. We shared the same eye and hair color, although her shade of auburn was a touch darker than mine.
“Not at all. I’ve told you many times, you can have all of my medical information. I understand why you can’t officially be my doctor, but, well, you’re my emergency contact.”
“Maybe you should add Cole,” Holly suggested.
“You can add me,” Cole said, “but don’t get rid of her.”
My sister smiled at him. “Fair. Do you want him to be the main contact?” She looked over at me.
“You’re an expert. Not that I have any say, but that seems like a good thing,” Cole said, his gaze completely serious and earnest as he looked at my sister.