CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
My whole body ached. Breathing was a struggle. Exhaustion subdued me.
Why can’t I open my eyes? Am I even alive?
Forcing my lids open demanded herculean strength. Strength, I realized, I didn’t have. I heard Mia’s sniffing and soft voice, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying.
Worry filled me, and my need to open my eyes increased. Mia didn’t cry unless she had a damn good reason. I needed to open my eyes to seek her out and make her feel better.
But as my mind started to doze off, I realized I’d failed her.
I heard her voice again. If I could just say something. Call her name. Move my hands. She’d know I was there for her.
“It’s been three days already, Mia.” Is that Zach? “You need to take a break. Just go to the hotel and sleep for a couple of hours. I’ll stay here with him.”
“You’re right. I’ll leave and take a shower, maybe eat something.”
They remained silent, and I thought she’d left.
“You’re not moving.”
“I’m not leaving, Zee. I just said that to appease you.”
“So, you lied to me?”
“I guess you could say that.”
“You need to rest, sis.”
“No. I need to stay here for when Ethan wakes up, so I can yell at him.”
“For saving your life?”
“Yes.”
He chuckled. “At least you’re consistent. ”
Silence again.
“He’s young and strong. He also has a lot to fight for. You! He’ll pull himself out of it. You know that, right?”
“I just need to make sure.”
“He will, I can assure you that.”
Silence.
“I hate we’re under these circumstances. But I’m glad we’re finding our groove again.”
“Me too. I missed you so much, Zee. And I appreciate you being with me.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“But I’m still mad at you. And Benny. And Aaron. Not at Danny, though. By the way, why not tell him?”
Zach snorted. “He’s always on your side; he’d never go for that.”
“Good for him.” Mia sighed. “You and Ethan have so much in common, you know? I hope you get a chance to be his friend.”
“I’d love that.”
She sniffed. “He’s right here, and I miss him.”
“Don’t worry. Soon enough, he’ll be up, and you’ll both do whatever it is you normally do.”
“Do you think he’ll be able to choke me again soon?”
“Please, don’t ruin this for me.”
“Nothing new yet?”
“No. I’m starting to get pissed off at your brother.”
Shane chuckled. “Have you tried slapping him?”
“I’m not sure the hospital staff would approve.” Mia let out a deep breath. “Thank you for the food.”
“Don’t mention it. Ethan would be mad if he learned I hadn’t fed you while he was taking his sweet time resting.”
“How is Delilah?”
“Hard to say. I guess it’ll take time until she can feel safe and confident in her skin. Or around other people. I just hope I can help her with that.”
“You’re a good man.”
“I know. It’s hard to find someone like me. I’m a rare edition.”
“How don’t you get punched more often?”
“Because besides being a wonderful man as you said it—”
“I didn’t say wonderful.”
“—I’m also fast, virile, and strong.”
“Good Lord.” Silence. “I’m going to wash my hands. Just give me two minutes.” I felt her lips on my temple. “Be right back, Phoenix.”
Something hit me lightly on the shoulder. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty? Time to wake up. Why don’t you do us all a favor and come back, huh? Your woman needs to take you home, and I’m getting tired of being worried about you. By the way, you have a really good woman. Don’t screw it up.”
“Can you believe these prices, Ethan? That’s preposterous! Your grandmother and I were able to buy tons of these every month. We didn’t, but we were able to if we wanted. Now, would you look at that? Stupid greedy youngsters.”
I felt a small hand running through my hair. “Maybe if we dance on TikTok, we could be able to afford it.”
“What’s a TikTok?”
“A place where you do embarrassing things for money and visibility.”
“Like a parade?”
“In a sense.”
“People pay for that?”
“People pay just to see other people’s feet.”
Pop grumbled. “What’s going on with your generation, Ms. Mia? ”
“Hey, I have nothing to do with it. I’m completely fine showing my feet and dancing only for Ethan’s eyes.”
“Do I want to know about it?”
“I’m not sure you’re ready for that conversation. Maybe when you’re older.”
The beeping sound surrounded us, and I hated that I couldn’t just engage with two of my favorite people.
“I’m starting to get worried. It’s been six days already. And nothing!”
“I'm not supposed to bury a grandson, It's the other way around. And Ethan is a smart, respectful young man. I know he won't put me through this. He won’t put us through this. We just need to have a little faith.”
“Is it okay if I get mad at him for tearing me apart like this?”
“ When he wakes up, I’ll help you with that. We can get mad at him together.”
“Deal.”
“You should take some rest, honey. George will be here soon after dropping John at the hotel. It’s been seven days already. You deserve a break.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Cross. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to stay here for when he wakes up.”
“I don’t mind that at all, darling. I appreciate your care and love for my boy. And please, call me Lenora.” I felt Mom’s soft hand on my cheeks. “I thought I’d find him ragged and disheveled. I’m glad to see he’s as beautiful as ever. He’s just resting.”
“I shaved his face. I thought it’d feel more comfortable for him when he wakes up.” I felt Mia’s little hand touching mine. “That way, he doesn’t need to worry about it.”
“Thank you so much, honey…You’ve been here this whole time. You must be exhausted.”
“I’m fine. The guys take turns to stay with me. Benny—one of our friends—just left, and Aaron will be here again soon.”
I soaked up their caring and became frustrated again when I couldn’t say anything.
“I was afraid to ask, but how did it happen?”
“We learned one of our superiors was a traitor. The man tried to kill me, and Ethan jumped in front of me. He saved my life.”
“He’s always been a good boy. And a strong one. He’ll pull through this.”
“He will. He’s my Phoenix. Rising from the ashes is the second thing he does best. Caring for me is the first one.”
I wanted to scream at her that it wasn’t just care. It was love. But once again, my frailty proved to be stronger than my ability to wake up.
I just wanted that long night to be over.
“Phoenix? Can you hear me? I’m not sure if I’m playing the fool here, but I don’t care. I need to talk to you. But it’d be a lot better if you talked back.”
Soft hands played with my hair.
“I face-timed Hugo this morning again. He was excited to see you. And Gabe asked me when you’re coming back. They miss you.”
She sniffed.
“I miss you too, Phoenix. So much. I need to see your beautiful eyes. We need to eat more cookies with milk. We need to go home and turn on the front porch lights. And now that Edward has been caught, I’ve learned so much gossip from the agency. I need to share it with you.”
I felt her lips on my temple, and something wet dropped and rolled down my forehead. Sniff .
“You’re always telling me you’d do anything for me. So, wake up. Please, wake up for me, Ethan.”
I tried to assure her I was fine. To tell her I was already woken up .
I just needed to sleep a bit more.