by Allie Able
I nod my head and watch her get into her car and speed away.
* * *
I've been answering questions for almost an hour. Do I know where she could be? Do I know who could have done this? When was the last time I saw her? I am ready to tear my fucking hair out. My dad and Nick are both standing by the front door, talking to the police officers and I'm pacing in the living room, when my phone rings.
“What do you have?” I demand.
“Grant, his cellphone is pinging at your house, man.” Connor says.
“What?” I snap, as I disconnect the call and run towards my truck. I can hear someone yelling my name, but I don't stop, all I can think of is getting to Summer. Connor knows that Nick is with me. Hopefully he will call him and give him the info.
It only takes me a few minutes, to get to my house. I don't see a car anywhere, as I pull in the driveway, but I notice the front door is cracked open. I pull the gun out of the back of my pants and check to see if it's loaded. I have plenty of weapons in my house, but I'm not sure where he has Summer.
I run up the steps and through the front door. As I walk into the living room, I feel my blood heat with rage. Summer is laying on the floor. Her face is a bloody mess and one of her eyes is swollen shut. She's curled into a protective ball, while holding her left side. A man, who I am assume must be Ryan, is standing over her with his gun pointed right at me.
He bends down and strokes Summer's hair off of her face. “Wake up, whore. Your boyfriend is here.”
I growl deep in my throat.
He looks up at me with a menacing smile, “We've been waiting for you.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Summer
I CAN HEAR RYAN MUMBLING to himself, but I can't make out the words. I am able to open one eye and I look around, trying to figure out where we are. I see a fireplace that looks familiar and then I see the picture frames above it. Oh my God, he brought me to Grant's house. I do a quick scan of what hurts. My face is obviously messed up, I can only open one eye. My side hurts from where he kicked me and I assume a rib is broken, because it's getting hard to breathe. I will not let him win. I am not going to die on Grant's living room floor. I continue to quietly look around the room for something to use as a weapon. When Ryan walks beside me, I close my eye and try to lay as still as possible. I don't want him to know I'm awake, yet. I need a plan. I hear a car door close, in the distance, and then footsteps walking into the house. Ryan comes to stand beside me, again, and I hear someone walk, into the living room.
I whimper, when Ryan kneels down next to me, pushing my hair off of my face. “Wake up, whore, your boyfriend is here.”
I hear a noise come from Grant and I open my eye to look at him. I have never seen him look so enraged.
“We've been waiting for you,” Ryan says.
Before I know what is happening, my hair feels like it's being pulled from my head, as Ryan wraps it in his hands and pulls me to my feet.
“Let her go, Ryan,” Grant says, in a low voice.
Ryan presses the gun to my head, digging it into my temple. “Did you hear that, Summer? He knows my name. I feel special,” Ryan chuckles.
“Please, Ryan,” I beg. My only thought is getting Grant and me safely away from him, but I have no idea how to do that.
He laughs again and aims his gun back at Grant. “You are my wife, Summer. I'm going to make him watch as I claim what is mine!”
“The fuck you are. Let her go now, you sadistic son of a bitch and I will think about letting you live,” Grant growls.
I hear sirens in the distance and I look at Grant.
“What the Fuck!” Ryan yells.
I use the distraction and struggle, to get free from Ryan, pain is radiating through my scalp where my hair is being ripped away. I run as fast as I can towards Grant and the front door.
Grant's eyes go wide as he screams, “NO!”
I hear the gunshots, right before I feel the pain in my back. I fall to the floor and watch, as Grant unloads his gun on Ryan.
Ryan's body hits the floor, with a loud thud. Grant falls to his knees next to me.
“Oh God, Summer,” he cries, as he pulls off his shirt and holds it against my shoulder. I try to pick my arm up, but it won't move. “Don't move, sweetheart,” he says.
I watch as tears fall down his handsome face. My vision starts going dark and I close my eyes.
“Summer, stay awake. Please, sweetheart,” he begs. I try to fight it, but the darkness is pulling me under and there isn't anything I can do about it.
Chapter Forty-Three
Grant
“SUMMER,” I YELL, RIGHT AS two officers, followed by Nick, come rushing into the living room.
“She needs an ambulance,” I demand.
“Fuck!” Nick shouts and he drops down beside me, helping me put pressure on Summer's back, where the two bullets hit her.
“They are on the way,” one of the officers says, as they both walk over to Ryan.
“No pulse,” I hear him say.
I feel no amount of satisfaction knowing the mother fucker is dead. I didn't pull the trigger fast enough to save her.
“Hold on, sweetheart. Please hold on,” I sob. I have seen more tragedy in my life, than any man ever should. I have held a lot of men, while I watched them breathe their last breathe, but if she dies, I won't survive this.
Two paramedics run, into the living room, one of them pulling a stretcher. Nick moves out of the way, as one paramedic crouches down beside her. I don't let myself look away from her face, as he checks her vitals. He is talking, but my brain isn't registering the words.
“Sir, we need you to move, so we can get her on the stretcher,” he says loud enough to get my attention.
I quickly scramble backwards, giving them room to work. They quickly load her up on the stretcher and I follow them out the front door. I barely register the sea of police officers in the front yard. One tries to stop me, but I keep walking.
“Sir, we need to ask you some questions,” he says.
I shake my head. “I'm not leaving her,” I respond, watching as they load her up in the back of the ambulance.
“Sir,” he says, again.
I spin around to face him. “I said I'm not fucking leaving her,” I roar.
He takes a step back and Nick comes up beside me laying a hand on my shoulder.
“Calm down, Grant,” he says, before looking over at the cop. “Can you wait to ask the questions at the hospital?” he asks.
The cop eyes me warily, before putting his pen and pad back in his pocket. “Yeah,” he responds, walking back towards the house.
* * *
I watch Summer's chest rise and fall, as she breathes faintly, on the drive to the hospital. I pray to whomever is listening, that she will be okay.
I barely remember walking into the hospital. I try to fight them off, as they push me out of the room, so they can prep her for surgery. I feel strong arms wrap around me and pull me out of the room. I struggle against them, until I hear Nick talking quietly in my ear.
“Snap the fuck out of it, Grant. You are making them loose time, that could be spent on saving her.”
I sag against his hold, as he continues to pull me into a waiting room. I collapse into the chair and bury my face in my hands.
“What the fuck am I going to do if she doesn't make it?” I ask out loud.
“Don't think like that. Summer is tough, Grant. She's a fighter,” Nick reassures me.
It's not long before the waiting room is filled with people. My mom brought me clothes to change into. I didn't even know I wasn't wearing a shirt, until she hugged me and handed me the clothes, giving me a pointed look. I was covered in blood, most of it was Summers, but some of it was Duke's.
I raise my head and look around the room. Lexie is in the corner, with Nick hovering over her. Jenna is sitting beside her, staring down at the floor. My mom and dad are on each side of me and Ellie and Parker are sitting quietly acros
s from us. Mrs. Clara and Korean Graham are talking in hushed tones. The doors burst open and Summer's Aunt Lila comes rushing into the room. She seeks me out and runs towards me. I stand up and wrap her in a hug.
“Any update?” she asks, on a choked sob.
I shake my head and pull away. “Nothing yet,” I say, as she studies my face.
“And Ryan?” she whispers.
“He's dead,” I respond.
I see relief filter through her face and she nods. “Good. Summer is a fighter. She will pull through this.”
I feel my eyes burn with un-shed tears, as I nod my head in acknowledgment. People keep telling me that, but all I can see are those bullets hitting her and her limp body, falling to the floor. I sit back down as she walks towards Korean and hugs her. I bury my face in my hands again and pray. I make promises to God, I'm not sure I can even fulfill, but I will do anything, if she just makes it through this.
* * *
What feel like hours later, a tired looking Doctor walks into the room. I immediately stand and rush over to him.
“Immediate family of Summer Foster?” he asks, looking around at all of us. Me and Lila step forward. He sighs and looks at us, with a concerned expression, and my stomach drops. “Ms. Foster made it through surgery, but her heart stopped beating twice. Her injuries are extensive and it is really just touch and go right now. Ms. Foster lost a lot of blood. She is having blood transfusion right now. We also have her in medically induced coma.”
I hear sobbing coming from my side, but I can't get my body to move, to try and console Lila.
“How long?” I choke out. The Dr. looks at me questioningly. “How long will you keep her in a coma?” I clarify.
“At least 76 hours,” he responds, quietly, “Summer also has a fractured cheek bone and a few broken ribs. I don't think she will need surgery to repair her face, but we will examine that closer, once we get her more stable.”
“When can I see her?” I whisper.
“You can go see her now. She can have visitors two at a time in the ICU.” He reaches out and pats me on the shoulder and then turns his eyes, that are filled with compassion, to Lila. “I will do everything I can to make sure Ms. Foster makes it through this.”
I nod my head and Lila starts crying again.
“The nurse will come and get you shortly, to take you back to see her,” he says, as he walks towards the door.
“Thank you,” I whisper. He nods his head in acknowledgment, before leaving the room.
My dad wraps his arms around me in a hug and I can feel my tears, sliding down my face.
“It's going to be okay, son,” he says, his voice rough with emotion.
I don't know how long we stand like that, before the nurse comes in and leads me and Lila towards Summer's room.
The nurse stops outside the door and turns to us. “I want ya'll to prepare yourselves. Summer is going to look different and she has a bunch of different tubes and wires attached to her,” she says gently.
I nod my head, as I put my arm around Lila and pull her close to me. We walk through the doors and I feel like the wind hand been knocked out of me, when I see Summer laying in that bed. I have seen countless fellow soldiers in similar positions, but nothing could have prepared me to see the woman I love laying here. Her body seems so small. I walk closer to the bed. Lila walks to the opposite side and I watch as she smooths back Summer's hair.
“My beautiful girl,” She says.
I pick up Summer's cold hand and sit down in the chair next to the bed. I bend my head and kiss her palm. I keep my head down and her hand in mine, as I cry harder than I ever have in my life. I'm beyond grateful she has made it this far, but I'm scared shitless that she won't wake up.
“I love you so much, beautiful. Please fight,” I whisper, through my cries.
* * *
It's been three days, since Summer was admitted into the hospital. It has been the longest three days of my life. I haven't left her room once. I watch her chest slowly rise and fall, with each breathe she takes, and I listen to the beeps of the heart monitor, each one letting me know that she is still alive. I have listened to her voice mail a hundred times, just to hear the sound of her voice. The nurses keep telling me I should talk to her and I try, but I never know what to say, besides begging her to just keep holding on.
The door to her room opens and I lift my head, from where it was laying my Summer's side. I watch as my mom and dad walk in and quietly close the door behind them. There have been a steady flow of people in and out of her room, over the past few days. Jenna and Lexie are running the bakery, with a little help from my mom. Lila stayed the first night in Summer's room, with me, but I convinced her to go sleep, at Korean's house the next night. She needs to rest, but I also wanted Summer all to myself. I can admit that I know I'm being selfish, but I'm so scared I will never see those beautiful eyes again or hear her soft voice. In such a short time this woman has became my whole world and I don't know what I'm going to do if I loose her.
“How is she doing today?” my mom asks, as she squeezes Summers hand.
I shrug my shoulders and look away. “Same as she has been.” I say quietly.
“Grant, why don't you run home and shower? You could even get a few hours of sleep, in a bed. Me and your mom will stay here with her,” Dad says, but I'm already shaking my head, before he can finish his sentence.
“I'm not leaving her,” I respond, firmly
“Grant, you look like hell. What will Summer think when she wakes up?” Mom says, with a sigh.
Every day someone has tried to convince me to go home for a little while and every day I have the same answer. You would think they would just give up.
“Mom, I love you, but please stop. I don't want to leave her and I'm not going to,” I say, as I gently run my hand down Summers arm, before taking her hand in mine again.
She always feels so cold. Why won't she warm up? Dad takes a seat on the couch and mom pulls up a chair, on the opposite side of Summer. We are all quiet for a little while, until her Doctor walks into the room.
He walks over and pats me on the shoulder, before greeting my mom and dad. He walks back to the foot of Summer's bed and picks up her chart. “We are going to start waking her up today,” he says, and my stomach flips.
“Really?” I ask.
He smiles at me and nods his head. “Her vitals all look good. She is going to be in a lot of pain, but I think she's ready. Your girlfriend is a fighter, Mr. Hamilton. She has a long road of recovery ahead of her, but I suspect she will be just fine,” he says, with a touch of emotion in his voice. I know Doctors aren't suppose to get attached to their patients, but I don't think anyone expected Summer to make it this far.
I bury my face in her stomach. My shoulders shaking with the effort it takes to hold back my cries. She's going to be okay. I kiss her hand and gently lay it down beside her and stand up. I walk around the bed and wrap Dr. Jones in a hug.
“Thank you, so much,” I whisper.
He gives me a couple of awkward pats on the back, before I let go and make my way towards my mom. I hug her and dad before wiping my face and turning back to the Doctor.
“How long does it usually take to wake up and what can we do about her pain?” I ask.
He gives me a small smile. “We will still be giving her morphine for the pain and she will still sleep a lot for the next few days, but she will no longer be in a medically induced coma. It will take a few hours for her to come around, and even then she may not be ready to wake up. You're going to have to be patient a little while longer I'm afraid,” he says.
I nod my head. I can be patient. I know she is going to be okay. I will be patient.
* * *
Come to find out, I'm not so patient. They started taking Summer out of the coma yesterday and she still hasn't woken up. A nurse walks in and I watch as she checks her vitals and changes her bag of fluids.
“Why hasn't she woken up?” I ask.
&nbs
p; She gives me a sympathetic look. “She will, just give her some time. Talk to her,” she encourages, before walking back out of the room.
I sigh and look back at Summer. Her face is looking better, but it's still badly bruised. I would give anything to go back to her laying in my bed with me and her head on my chest.
“Beautiful, I need you to wake up,” I whisper roughly, “I need to see your eyes. I know I'm suppose to be strong for you right now, but I need you to tell me everything is going to be okay.” I run my finger gently down her cheek. “I love you so much, sweetheart. Please wake up.” I lay my head back down beside her.
I must have fallen asleep, because I wake with a start, when I feel a hand lightly squeeze mine. I lift my head and look around the room, not seeing anyone there. I feel the soft squeeze again and I look down to see it's coming from Summer's hand. I quickly look at her face. Her gorgeous green eyes are looking directly at me.
“Beautiful,” I whisper, as tears start falling down my cheeks.
She's awake.
Chapter Forty-Four
Summer
I WAKE UP DISORIENTED AT first. My whole body hurts. I look around the room and see I'm in a hospital. Grant's head in laying down beside me and I feel his warm hand in mine. My throat hurts, so I don't try to talk. I give his hand a squeeze and his head slowly rises and he looks around the room. He looks awful. His beard has grown out and he looks like he hasn't slept or showered in days. What happened and how long have I been here? I give his hand another squeeze. I need him to look at me.
When his eyes meet mine, they widen briefly, before filling with tears. “Beautiful,” he whispers.
He stands up and presses a button on my bed and kisses my forehead. “You're awake,” he says, as though he can't believe it.
I open my mouth and try to talk, but it's so painful. “Don't try to talk yet, sweetheart. Let the nurses check you out first, okay?”
My own eyes begin to fill with tears. I'm scared and confused. I don't know what happened or what's wrong with me. Grant must be able to sense my fears, because he gently runs a hand down my hair, trying to soothe me, like he has done many times before.