Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
He gives me a look. “Not a good time for jokes.”
“I’m not laughing.”
“Winter saved your life. It’s all on tape. What happened, how it happened. If she hadn’t been there, you would have bled out in a matter of minutes. The ambulance wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for her quick thinking.”
“Bled out?” I echo. The words feel like a punch to the chest.
His expression is somber. “Adele’s blade sliced your leg and nicked your femoral artery when you tried to save her from falling.”
“Jesus.”
“—was absolutely present and watching over you.”
“I think it was Great-Grandpa Balls, actually,” I mutter.
“What?”
“Nothing.” I was probably tripping balls, literally and figuratively. “This is a lot to process.”
“Winter used her belt as a tourniquet. If she hadn’t—” He chokes up, then clears his throat. “But you’re here, and you’re going to be okay, and that’s what’s important.”
The statement feels unfinished, like it’s weighted down with more, but I’m too foggy to ask questions. And tired.
Mom and Winter return with fresh water, and my mom fusses over me, running her fingers through my hair, unable to stop her tears of relief as she tells me she’s glad I’m here with them. That it’s going to be okay.
I wonder how true that is.
Because it sounds a lot like they’re reassuring themselves, not me.
31 CURVEBALL
BJ
Staying awake proves to be a challenge, and the bliss of unconsciousness, where I’m free from pain and fear of the unknown, claims me again. The next few times I wake up, either Mom, Dad, or Winter is holding my hand. I’m not alert for long, though.
When I finally wake feeling clear, Lovey is at my bedside.
“Hey, bestie,” I croak.
She startles, and her phone clatters to the floor.
“Hey. Hi.” Her eyes well with tears, but she blinks them back. She takes my hand. “Fuck you for almost dying.”
I laugh and then cringe, because everything hurts. “Sorry ’bout that.”
Lovey’s chin wobbles, and her shoulders shake.
“Hey, hey. It’s okay. I’m okay.” I squeeze her hand.
She fights to stay in control, but tears run down her cheeks and drop to her lap. “I promised I was going to keep it together, but you know how shitty I am about keeping my feelings from leaking out of my eyes.”
I smile. “You cry every time we watch Vet Rescue.”
“It’s true. I’m so sappy.”
“Don’t ever change.”
“I won’t.” She plucks a tissue from the box beside her and blows her nose. “We thought we were going to lose you. If it hadn’t been for Winter—” Her voice cracks. “I thought I wasn’t going to get to be the best woman at your wedding, and you weren’t going to be co-maid of honor with Lacey for mine.” More tears fall.
“Pfft. Like I was going to die and miss out on wearing a suit the same color as the bridesmaid dresses.”
“Hey, look who’s awake.” Quinn appears in the doorway holding takeout coffees. “How you doing?”
“Alive, so that’s good.”
“Seems like you’ve got more than one guardian angel watching over you.” He hands Lovey a coffee and murmurs something I don’t catch.
“Lavender and Kody just arrived. I’ll meet them in the waiting room and give you two a few minutes.” Lovey releases my hand and stands.
“What are Lav and Kody doing here? He’s not playing against Chicago for a few more weeks.”
“They’re here to see you, bro. Brushes with death make you popular.” He skims Lovey’s hand as she moves past him and leaves the room. “You need a drink or some food or anything?” he asks me.
“Water would be good.”
He sets his coffee down and passes me the plastic cup with the lid. He helps me get the straw to my lips so I can take a couple of sips.
“Where are my parents and Winter?”
“Your dad is in the waiting room. They only allow two visitors at a time, and everyone is here. Your mom took Winter home to shower. She hasn’t left your side since you got out of surgery two days ago.”
“Two days ago?”
“You lost a lot of blood, my friend.” He clasps his hands. “You scared the hell out of us.”
“How’s Winter holding up?”
“She puts on a brave face. Seems a lot like where you are now is an echo of where she was earlier in the summer. Sort of like how the Clover situation echoed Lavender’s earlier in the summer for Mav. We’ll all keep an eye on her for you,” he assures me.
“Thanks. I appreciate that. She’s spent a lot of years being the support instead of the supported.”
“That’s accurate. But her mom drove up here yesterday to support her, which is good. Her mom is a real sweet lady, started cooking up a storm the second she walked through the door. Guess we know where Winter gets her mad skills from, huh?” he says.
“She loves to cook, and bake, and grocery shop.” I smile faintly. When the newspaper shows up every Thursday, Winter lays out all the flyers so she can price match and plans out the weekly dinner menu with everyone’s input. “What about my parents? How are they?”