40
Liam
I hate being vulnerable, being the one that gets taken care of. I’m the caretaker. That’s who I’ve always been, what I’ve always done. So laying here in this damn bed, unable to move around or do anything, has been pure torture. I’m also in a lot of fucking pain. I told them to go light on the meds because I don’t like being bogged down by that stuff.
I’ve been begging to see Layla since I woke up. I knew she’d be here, even before they told me. It’s taken all morning, but they’re finally allowing me visitors. My girl is on her way in.
She walks in, looking like a fluorescent angel, bathed in a mix of hospital lights and the natural sunlight that seeps in through the half-open blinds. The most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.
I smile weakly. “I made it to Sacramento,” I tease. Today was the day I was meant to come visit her. I just wasn’t supposed to get here quite like this.
She smiles back, then chokes on a sound that’s part laugh, part sob, and runs to me. But she stops short, hesitation in her eyes. She doesn’t want to hurt me.
“I’m so sorry,” she cries with tears swimming in her eyes.
I furrow my brows. “For what?” I ask, confused.
She shakes her head, the tears finally breaking free. “This is all my fault.”
“No. Stop it right now,” I say, grabbing her hand, pulling it gently to mine. I would grab both, but it hurts to lean over. “First of all, I’m going to be fine. Second of all, this was a stupid accident that was no one’s fault but my own. And maybe that damn boulder. This is not your fault, Layla.”
“I should have never left. I regretted it right away. I had all these plans for today, things I wanted to tell you…”
“What things?” my heart skips a beat at her admission. Curiosity floods through me.
She shakes her head again, wiping away tears. “We don’t need to talk about that right now. You need to rest. I’m just so happy you’re okay.”
“I’m fine,” I assure her, though I’m already starting to feel tired again. “I promise, I’m fine.”
And with her hand in mine, I fall asleep.