by J. A. Owenby
“I agree. He’s going to be all right.” Marilyn fished a tissue out of her purse and dabbed her eyes. “I hate to leave you, but I need to check on Benji.” She leaned over and hugged me.
Avery darted into my room at that moment. “What the hell happened?”
“A lot,” Layne said from the corner of the room. He’d remained silent until that point.
“What are you doing here? I know why Tensley is here.” Her eyes narrowed, and her clenched fists landed on her hips. “But you have some explaining to do.”
Layne stood, exhaustion flickering in his face. “I’ll tell you everything I know.”
“Avery, you and Tensley are in good hands. He saved them both. Give him a chance.” Marilyn patted Avery’s arm, then left the room.
“You saved her?” Disbelief colored Avery’s words.
“Yeah.” I motioned to a chair. “You might want to sit down for this one.”
She pulled a seat toward my bed, the legs noisily scraping the floor, and sat next to me. Gripping my hand in hers, she glared at Layne. “I’m all ears.”
I almost felt sorry for Layne … almost.
7
I had no idea what time I’d finally drifted off to sleep. With the pain medication, I’d probably crashed out before Avery and Layne.
The bright Spokane sunshine penetrated the windows in my hospital room. I rolled my head on my pillow to face the opposite direction and spotted the activity around the nurses’ station. It was then that I saw Layne slouched in his chair, his hand propping up his head, sound asleep. I raised my arm to rub my eyes, but it wouldn’t move. Squinting against the light, I noticed Avery. She’d leaned over my bed, placed her head on a small available spot on the mattress, and had fallen asleep holding my hand. Suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, I looked away. I welcomed that moment with no one else awake. Things had moved so fast the night before, I’d not been able to process it all very well.
“Hey,” a deep, gruff voice said quietly. “How are you feeling?” Layne stood and stretched, making a twisted and hilarious face. “Man, that felt good.” He flashed me a sleepy smile.
Although he’d slept in a hospital chair, he looked yummy. I recalled the first thing … no, the second thing I’d noticed about him, next to his eyes: his lips. They were full, soft, and kissable. Shit, the pain meds were really fucking with me.
“Didn’t anyone miss you last night?” I finally asked.
“Nope. I called my uncle when I realized I wouldn’t be home.”
“That’s who you’re staying with?” It wasn’t any of my business, but we were trying to move forward.
“Yeah. Last year, he told me to apply to the university and said I could live with him. You weren’t the only one looking for a fresh start.” He smoothed his hair back, then stifled a yawn.
“Good God almighty,” Avery said, slowly lifting her head off my bed.
“Your neck hurt?” I asked, imagining the pain she was in.
“Yeah, but it’s nowhere near what you’re feeling.” Avery wiped a smidge of drool from the corner of her mouth.
“Mmm, it’s not bad right now, but it’s probably because of the pills they gave me.” I giggled a little, but I had no clue why. “Was there any update on Benji after I fell asleep?” My gaze bounced between Layne and Avery. I didn’t want anyone sugarcoating shit because I’d had surgery. I was fine.
“Marilyn stopped by to let us know there hadn’t been any real changes, but he made it through the night.” Layne took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “That’s great news, Ten.”
Deliberately ignoring the little spark from his touch, I stared at our hands. It was the first time I noticed how red and bruised his knuckles were from fighting our attackers.
“It’s excellent news,” Avery added. “I’m going to find some coffee downstairs. Can I grab you one, Layne? I mean, do you drink coffee? Normally, I know these things before I spend the night with a guy, but I wasn’t expecting you to be here.”
Boom! The Avery slam. Even though we’d gone through hell and Layne had stuck by me, Avery wouldn’t easily forget how scared I’d been the first evening I saw him. I would still have been terrified of him if Benji and I hadn’t been attacked. It was crazy how a crisis brought people together. Plus I suspected Layne was telling me the truth and hadn’t been involved in my flagpole incident. I nearly scoffed out loud. Incident definitely wasn’t the right word for it.
Layne pulled out his wallet and handed her a ten and a five. “If there’s a Starbucks or Dutch Brother’s in the food court, I’d love a pumpkin spice latte. A venti.” He held his hands apart to emphasize the large size.
She smirked at him but took the money.
“I want one!” I cried, hoping she would have a little pity on me and buy me at least a small one.
“You’re probably going to have Jell-O for breakfast,” Layne said, grinning. “Or maybe even some broth on the side. Yummy hospital food.”
Avery snickered, then left the room.
Layne sat down in the chair that Avery had occupied earlier. “Does she know everything? With us?”
“How could she? I just found out last night. I did tell them about high school, and they saw how much you upset me when I spotted you at the bar.”
My words were sharper than I’d intended, and I silently apologized to him. Saying sorry wasn’t my strong suit, and it was definitely something I would have to work on with him.
Layne nodded in understanding, his focus never leaving my face.
“Why are you still here? There’s nothing keeping you at the hospital.” My heart pitter-pattered against my rib cage while I waited for his response.
“You are. Benji is.” His eyes bore into mine, and silence descended over us.
“Are you really not the douche I thought you were in high school?” I scratched an imaginary itch on my forehead, preparing for his answer.
A chuckle rumbled through his chest. “I was. I mean, as I explained last night, I had nothing to do with what happened to you, but I still hurt you. I can’t imagine how painful it was when I tapped you with the empty glass juice bottles.”
I cringed. “What the fuck was that? Like, dude, if you crack a girl on the pubic bone, it’s excruciating.”
He swallowed hard. “I’m not excusing my behavior at all. I was a stupid, hormonal sophomore. I …” His voice trailed off.
I leveled my gaze at him. “What?”
A small smile pulled at his mouth. “I had a crush on you.”
Startled by his confession, I jerked back, pulling at my surgery site. “Fuck.” I gripped the bed railing, my knuckles turning white, while I waited for the pain to subside. Leaning back into my pillow, I rubbed my forehead with the palm of my hand. “I don’t think I heard you correctly.” My hands dropped to my side, and I turned my head toward him, studying his expression for any sign he was joking.
“It was before Chloe moved to our school. You still smiled. Your hair had grown out over the summer, and it was beautiful. All I wanted to do was touch it, feel it in my fingers. And guys do stupid shit when they’re crushing hard.”
Thank God he hadn’t seen my ratty hair a few years earlier, or he would never say that again. “You pulled my sweats down in front of the entire school! I was absolutely mortified, but at least my T-shirt covered my ass.”
“Sorry. I don’t know what else to say.” A flush dusted his cheeks. “The only way I can convince you I’m not that guy anymore is for you to spend some time with me.”
My face heated at the thought. I’d never been social, much less with a guy. Except for Benji.
“I need to explain one more thing. I did something that I still regret to this day.” Sadness flickered in his eyes. “I’m not positive, but during a party our junior year, someone mentioned I’d been interested in you … in front of Chloe.” His shoulders slumped. “I might have been the reason she hated you so much. I’m so sorry.”
My mouth gaped open. Not only had he
been interested in me, but he’d shared it with some of his friends. A slow-burning fury stirred to life inside me. Chloe was a fucking bitch. Who in her right mind targeted another girl because her boyfriend had been interested in the girl over a year prior? Was she that insecure, or was she the epitome of a cruel person with no conscience?
“I’m not sure how to respond to that right now, but regardless, you didn’t force her to put me on the flagpole.” My fingers clenched into balls with my words. I needed to process everything. Logically, I realized Layne wasn’t behind the brutality, but my heart still hurt and the memories still haunted me.
Avery entered my room, eyeing me to see if I was okay. “Good grief, they were busy downstairs, but lucky for us, they had a Starbucks.” Then she handed a large cup to Layne. Inwardly, I gave a sigh of relief that she was back.
Layne stood, allowing Avery to have her chair back, but I didn’t miss the regret in his eyes.
Butterflies ran amok in my chest. What was happening? He’d admitted he’d been an ass, had a crush on me in high school, and wanted to spend time with me. My thoughts spun in a million different directions while I watched him sink into his seat.
“Hi, hon,” Marilyn said, entering the room. “How are you feeling? I just talked to the doctor, and you get to go home today.”
“That’s great!” Avery said.
The fear and sadness on Marilyn’s face spoke volumes. There was more.
“What is it?” I pulled myself up in the bed, ignoring the pain in my side, and braced myself for what I was about to hear.
Marilyn covered her mouth with her hand. “He’s awake, but …” A tear slipped down her cheek. “Benji is paralyzed. He will never walk again.”
8
The world halted abruptly, and time no longer seemed to move forward. I reeled from Marilyn’s words, and the weight of the implication crashed down on me full force. I grabbed my pillow, covered my face, and released an agonizing cry. Those fuckers would pay. I prayed they would walk free because I would hunt them down and take from them what they had taken from my best friend.
I scooted down in my bed the best I could, refusing to look at anyone while I came undone. Benji deserved better. He had his whole life ahead of him. He was vibrant and full of dreams.
“I’m going to step back out for a bit, but Avery, please call me before she leaves.” Marilyn’s heels announced her exit, but I didn’t move.
The nurse, Lily, entered the room next. “Hi, hon. It’s time for your medication.”
I held my hand out, refusing to look at her. The pill hit my palm and I gladly popped it. I hoped like hell it would stop all my pain, including the emotional torture, but I knew better.
“The doctor will be in soon to go over your care at home.” Lily patted my shoulder, then her thick-soled shoes squeaked on the floor as she left my room.
“I’m going to run to the house and bring you back some clean clothes,” Avery said gently. “Layne said your blouse was ripped.” She kissed the top of my head before she left.
I ignored the scrape of the chair as someone sat in it again. Warm fingers covered mine and I swallowed hard, fighting to contain myself from another outburst.
“We don’t need to talk, Ten. I just want you to know I’m here if you need me,” Layne whispered.
Before I realized it, I gently squeezed his hand. Maybe it was the grief, or maybe I was in shock, but suddenly, having Layne there wasn’t so bad.
A few hours later, the doctor visited and provided me with follow-up and wound-care instructions. I would be back to my normal self in a few weeks, physically anyway. After everything Benji had gone through, I would never be the same again. Logically, I knew Benji could have said no about parking in the alley, but I still warred against the guilt inside me. I should have at least given him a good argument.
After Avery returned, she helped me dress in clean clothes while Layne waited outside for me.
“Good thing you’ve seen my tits before,” I muttered while she helped me into my bra. It was crazy how my movement was limited and painful.
“And great tits, might I add.” She flashed me a sad smile. “Layne asked me if he could drive you to the house. How do you feel about that?”
I gave a half-shrug. “It’s all right.”
Avery slipped my shirt over my head and gently pulled it down over my incision. Next, she helped me into my jeans. “I’m glad you’re coming home. It will be really empty without Benji.” She tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth and tears welled in her eyes.
“I want to see him before I go, but I’m not sure they’ll let me since he’s in ICU.”
A firm rap sounded at the door.
“Come in,” I said.
“Hi, Tensley.” Marilyn approached and sat on the side of the bed next to me. Layne followed her silently and leaned against the wall, folding his arms over his chest. “Avery and Layne have promised me they’ll take good care of you over the next few weeks.”
My focus bounced between Layne and Avery. When had they discussed that, and why hadn’t I been included? Avery, I understood, but I was surprised Layne was planning on sticking around.
“I don’t think you should be alone. This is going to be very difficult for you when you realize Benji isn’t coming back to the house with you and Avery.”
Shit. It hadn’t dawned on me that he wouldn’t be sleeping in his bed … or mine. He would most likely never live with us again. My heart dropped like a lead ball into my stomach at the thought. How in the world am I going to actually make it without him? He always made me laugh, kept the night terrors at bay, and was the only reason I had a social life. Stop. Don’t be a brat. This isn’t about me—it’s about Benji.
I squared my shoulders and faced Marilyn. “What can I do to help?” It was time for me to grow a pair and give everything I could to my best friend, who had breathed life into me after one of the darkest times I’d ever experienced. Even now, Chloe and her goons haunted me.
A smile pulled at Marilyn’s lips. Dark circles were beneath her eyes, and her slumped posture confirmed the level of exhaustion she was battling. “He can’t have visitors yet, but he’s in and out of consciousness. I suspect he will need to see you after the doctor …” Marilyn’s voice trailed off, and she covered her mouth with her hand, inhaling a shaky breath. “When the doctors tell him that he will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.”
I wrapped my arms around her, and we clung to each other in silence.
“Anything he wants. I’ll be there every step of the way.” I cringed at my choice of verbiage. There would no longer be steps for Benji.
“Don’t regret your word choice. We can’t tiptoe around his condition. He’s strong, and he wouldn’t want us to treat him any differently.”
I agreed. She was right, and I loved Benji for his strong will. When he was ready, he would meet his new life head-on.
“Do you still have my phone?” Marilyn asked.
“Yeah. It’s right there.” I nodded toward the little table next to the bed.
“Keep it. I’m going to pick you up another one in a few days. Why don’t you give me the broken one, and I’ll see if they can possibly pull any pictures and numbers from it. I’ll have Michael’s on me, so you call or text as often as you want. I’ll keep you updated.”
“Thank you. It will help to know I can keep in touch. I was a bit worried since my phone broke. Avery, would you please hand me my bag with my old clothes?”
Avery scooped up the bag and brought it to me. My stomach lurched when I remembered my clothes had been taken by the police while I was in surgery. There would be DNA evidence to help convict.
Marilyn stood and I handed her my phone. She bent down, kissed me on top of the head, and smoothed my hair. “I always wanted a daughter.” She tilted my chin up with her finger. “The night Benji brought you home to meet us, I knew my prayers had been answered, just in a different way than I’d expected.”
Tears clouded my eyes. “You’re the first real family I’ve ever had. I love you too.”
“Get some rest.” Marilyn turned without another word and left the room.
Clearing my throat, I glanced at Layne and Avery.
“Are you ready?” Layne asked, pushing off the wall. “The nurse is outside with a wheelchair.”
“Yeah.”
Avery shot me a look, and I nodded. I hadn’t changed my mind about Layne giving me a ride to the house.
“I’ll be right behind you,” Avery said, her words carrying a warning to Layne.
Layne didn’t miss a beat as he let the staff know we were ready to leave.
Minutes later, I was greeted by the chilled autumn air. I tipped my nose up, inhaling deeply. It was a welcome change from the stench of illness in the hospital.
Layne pulled the Camry around, and the nurse assisted me into the passenger’s seat. Avery’s white Nissan beeped from behind us.
“Let’s get you home,” Layne said, pulling out of the pickup line.
We rode in silence for the first half of the drive, which was fine with me. The trek from the hospital to the car had worn me out.
“I have to get back to my uncle’s, but can I stop by tomorrow?” Layne asked, his thumb tapping against the steering wheel.
If I didn’t know better, I would think he was nervous. Holding back my giggle, I nodded. “Sure, but only if you show up with Kentucky Fried Chicken. Crispy.” I grinned wearily at him. “I’m starving.”
“Ten, you can eat. Do you want me to stop by now?”
My face must have lit up like a Christmas tree. “You don’t mind? I’d love a three-piece with two breasts, mashed potatoes, and a biscuit—oh, don’t forget the honey—and a Dr Pepper.”
A huge grin eased across his face. “So you know how to eat. You’re not one of those girls who picks at her food? I bought Chloe a steak dinner one time, spent a hundred dollars, and she ate three bites and refused to take it home. I was so pissed, I took it home.” His expression immediately fell with the mention of her name. “Sorry. I’m just happy you eat like a normal person.”