by MJ Carnal
“Thank you for hanging on so long. I love you, Deuce.” Andi kissed his lips and closed her eyes.
I can feel she’s here again. I don’t know what she did but it’s so much easier to breathe now. I don’t know what’s going on but thank God she’s with me. I’ve tried to move my arms to hold her but I can’t move. My fucking chest is killing me. Why can’t I remember what happened? I’ve opened my eyes a few times. Everyone looks so sad. I’m so exhausted. I can hear her crying. God, please help me. Let her know I’m here. Please. Make this stop. Don’t cry, baby. I’m fighting for you. For us.
Chapter 21
Lily cried into her pillow. She felt so alone. Her family was in Georgia and her friends in LA were all suffering. Sophie and Mark had come home from the hospital and locked themselves in their room. After saying goodbye to Kevin, she had sat silently in the hall and watched, as one by one, her new friends fell apart in the waiting room. She stared at her phone. She needed someone.
“Hello?” His voice was full of sleep.
“It’s Lily.” Her voice cracked. “I’m so sorry to wake you up. I just needed someone to talk to. I didn’t know who else to call.”
Steve sat up and stretched. “It’s fine. Are you ok?”
She cried. “No. I feel so alone. Kevin’s the one I always call when I get homesick or I can’t sleep in the middle of the night. I’m sorry.”
“Lil, it’s fine. Are you still staying with Moretti?” Steve bent over to put his shoes on.
“Yes.” She whispered.
“Want me to come over?” When she hesitated, he continued. “I could use the company. I don’t remember a harder day in my life.”
“Thank you, Steve.” Lily hung up and curled back into a ball. If Kevin was here, he would tickle her until she laughed or make fun of her until she gave in and smiled. If Kevin was here, she wouldn’t be this sad. If Kevin was here.
Layla smiled at Ryan. He had finally fallen asleep. She had never seen him so emotional. He had lost so much in his life but he still felt so blessed. When Kevin had saved him, Layla had promised she would never take life for granted. She spent every day thanking god for the incredible life she had been given. And one of her greatest blessings was sleeping right next to her.
She smiled at the bassinet next to the bed. She promised that she would spend every day telling him about his godfather and telling him just how much he had loved him.
The ringing of her phone startled her. She looked at the screen before answer it. Her stomach dropped.
“Soph?” Layla climbed out of bed and tiptoed to the hall.
“Hi. Did I wake you?”
“No. I can’t sleep. Have you heard anything?” Layla paced.
“Jena called about an hour ago. He was still holding on. Andi is still there. My heart just breaks for her.” Sophie sniffed. “How is Ryan? We’re so worried about him.”
“He’s finally asleep. He’s hardly slept in a week. I’m worried he’s going to run himself into the ground and get sick.” Layla stopped pacing and looked out the back door at the pool. She smiled remembering all the times Kevin came over and made it his mission to splash her or pull her in behind him. He had taken baby Kevin for his very first float around the pool just a little over a week ago. His smile had been contagious. She could almost hear his laugh echo through the house. “Do you think there’s a chance Kevin will pull through this?”
Sophie sighed. “I hope so, Lay. I know what Andi is going through. When Mark was in the ICU, I didn’t want to leave. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep. Ryan and Kevin made me go home because it was so early in my pregnancy. I remember Kevin used to drag me home and tuck me in and then keep watch until I fell asleep. I hated every second I wasn’t there. I had nightmares and was terrified he was going to die. I was just waiting for it to happen. Knowing she’s going through the same thing makes me wish I could rescue her.”
“Maybe Kevin will rescue her. I haven’t wanted to say anything because I don’t want anyone to think I’m crazy. I just don’t want to believe that he won’t pull through this. He is a gigantic pain in the ass. If anyone can pull through it, it’s him.” Layla laughed. “Thanks for letting me say that. I know you won’t judge me. I don’t dare say anything to Ryan. He’s so devastated.”
Sophie looked at her watch. “I should go try to get some sleep. I’ll call you if I hear anything. If you hear first, call me right away. I love you, Lay.”
“I love you too, Baby sister. Get some sleep.”
Steve pushed the guest room door open. Moonlight streamed through the window, lighting the room just enough. Lily was curled into a ball in the middle of the bed. Her tiny body shook with her quiet tears.
He set his jacket on the chair and kicked his shoes off. She scooted over to the side of the bed to make room for him. He laid down next to her. “You ok?”
She nodded her head. “Thank you for coming. I had no right to ask you to.”
Steve smiled. “You didn’t ask. I offered. You needed a friend, here I am.”
“Can you hold me?”
“Come here.” Steve held his arms open and Lily climbed into them. “I promise that everything is going to be ok. I know it may not seem like it. I think that there’s a reason for all of this. You just have to have some faith in that.”
Lily laid her head on his chest. “You’re a good guy, Steve. Amber was stupid. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
“She broke my heart but I think someday I’ll be glad it happened. I don’t picture my life with anyone anymore. I don’t think I’ll ever let anyone in like I did her. The only thing I tell myself every day is that I’m glad I found out when I did. I can’t imagine if I had married her and found out after.” Steve rubbed Lily’s back. “Nothing was ever easy with her. She was gone so much. If she was home, she couldn’t just sit with me and relax. I had so much anxiety and I didn’t even realize it.”
“Don’t say you’ll never let someone in again. That would be a shame.” Lily yawned.
“Sleep, Lil. I’ll stay. Just get some sleep.” Steve waited until she was asleep before he shut his eyes. He felt so at peace. It was a feeling he hadn’t had in a very long time.
Jena pulled the curtain back and smiled. Andi was sound asleep, body wrapped around Kevin, looking more at peace than she had seen her in while. She tip toed into the room and checked his vitals. His oxygen level was up and his heart rate was stronger. She put the stethoscope to his chest and smiled. Dare she hope? She fastened the blood pressure cuff to his arm.
Andi stirred and opened her eyes. In a panic, she pulled back and watched the rise and fall of his chest. “I can’t believe I fell asleep. What time is it?”
“You needed it.” Jena whispered, putting the stethoscope back around her neck. “It’s just after seven. I have a patient up here so I thought I’d check on you both.”
Andi put her head back on his chest. “I was so scared he’d go in the middle of the night and I’d be sleeping.”
“I’m not going to say anything to get your hopes up.” Jena handed her the stethoscope. “I’ll leave that with you in case you want to listen for yourself.”
Andi’s eyes widened when she heard his heart beat. She looked at the monitors and then back and Kevin. Grabbing the cuff, she refastened it to his arm and took his blood pressure. Her grin was contagious. “I was praying for his comfort. Now I’m praying for a miracle.”
Jena nodded and stepped from the room. She wanted to call Caleb, Ryan, everyone. But she knew she needed to be realistic. Until he was awake, she wouldn’t believe he was better.
Chapter 22
Steve put on his headphones and took a sip of his coffee. Being a part of the morning show on LA’s number one radio station was a goal he had set for himself during his UCLA days. It had taken a few years of bad hours and a lot of press appearances before he landed his dream job. His co hosts had become instant family. Well, until the dreaded day he walked in on one having sex with his fiancé i
n his bed. He shook his head trying to clear the image from his mind.
He had slept so soundly in the few hours he had been with Lily. He still smelled like her. She was a combination of soft flowers and vanilla. Her petite frame was soft and warm. Her blond hair was like silk. When he left her this morning, he had left a note thanking her for turning to him when she needed someone.
Kevin had been her go to when she had a hard time. He had watched them in Hawaii at Mark and Sophie’s wedding. Their bond was obvious right away. His first thought had been that she was Kevin’s latest conquest. That had been cleared up the minute he saw Kevin look at Andi.
Last night, Lily had told him about her time with Kevin and how she knew right away that he was going to be her best friend. She talked about how lucky Andi was to be the first woman on the receiving end of his heart. She confided in him about the nights Kevin would come over and spend the night holding her when she got home sick. She had never been away from home and the transition to LA had been a difficult one. She cried when she talked about life without Kevin by her side. When she had finally fallen asleep, he was right behind her.
He knew he couldn’t fill Kevin’s shoes but it felt good to try. She had a heart of gold. After all the years with Amber by his side, in and out of bed, he needed a soft place to land. He felt a connection with her that he hadn’t with another woman. Lily had called it best friend potential. He had laughed at the time but today, he felt like she might be on to something.
He looked over the mixing boards and took another sip of coffee. His co host, Jennifer, had taken a seat and winked at him while she got ready. When his traitorous ex friend, Justin, took his seat, Steve fisted his hands. He was looking forward to the day that reaction didn’t take over. He knew in time it would. But not this time.
“Good morning, LA. This is Steve Wainwright, WXXT 98.3. Before we get started, I wanted to give a quick shout out to the gorgeous blond who I had a hell of a time leaving this morning.” Jennifer spit out her coffee and tried to regain her composure. “I also wanted to thank you all for all the continued prayers and support over the past week for my buddy that’s in the ICU. My friends and I felt every single one of them. Keep ‘em coming. And good morning beautiful Lily. Jennifer, how’s that traffic look this morning?”
Jennifer shook her head and laughed. She knew about his run in with Justin and it felt good to see him smiling again.
Lily stretched. Night three of Steve sleeping by her side, day three of getting a morning shout out on the radio. She laughed as she grabbed her phone. He was funnier than she expected him to be. He was modest. He was a gentleman. He hadn’t tried anything. Damn him. She giggled again as she sent him a text. It felt good to laugh for a minute.
She hurried to get ready for her classes. Her new job was amazing. She was touched every single day by the beauty of her children with special needs. Career wise, the move to LA had been more than rewarding. Every day it got a little easier to be away from her family back in Georgia. She spoke to her sister every day and that made all the difference.
“ICU, this is Nickie.”
“Hey Nic, it’s Lily. Any change today?” Lily held her breath as she waited for the answer.
“I just left his room. His color is better this morning. His pulse is stronger. No change in consciousness.” Nickie whispered to one of the other nurses. “You coming up today? Bring me some coffee.”
Lily laughed. “I’ll see you around three. Take care of him for me.”
“Alright, I’ve had enough of this shit.” Ryan stormed past a napping Andi and gave Kevin’s face a light smack. “Get your lazy ass up. We’ve given you time. Wake the fuck up now.”
“Ryan!” Andi snapped.
“It was bad enough saying goodbye to him and sobbing like a pussy every time my phone rang. Now he’s started to look a little better and he’s breathing and I’m tired of feeling like I’m losing my mind. Will we lose him? Will he wake up? Fuck this shit. It’s time.” Ryan gave his shoulders a light shake.
“Not so loud.” Andi pulled at Ryan’s arm.
“Why? Afraid I’m going to wake up sleeping beauty? That’s the whole fucking point.’
Nickie stepped into the room and looked between Ryan and Andi. “Everything ok in here?”
“You’re hot.” Ryan pointed at her. “Merck, your nurse is hot. Open your eyes and look at her.”
Nickie laughed. “Keep your voices down. There are other patients that need their rest.”
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Andi pointed to the chair and Ryan sat. “Take a breath.”
“I can’t handle this. We’re at the two week mark. Two weeks. We don’t know shit. I was prepared to say goodbye when it felt like there was no hope. Now I am praying he wakes up and kicks my ass. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. I’m falling apart.”
Andi knelt in front of him and he slumped into her. “This is a good thing, Ryan. He’s given us a week longer than we thought we’d have. He’s given us hope. He’s brought all kinds of people together in prayer. I’ve gotten an extra week to hold him. Thank God for this.”
Ryan stood and kissed him on the forehead. “Wake up, brother. You’re fucking killing me.”
Nickie yawned as she went to check on Kevin. She would be happy with the double shifts when she saw her paycheck. For now, exhaustion was winning. She took his blood pressure and recorded it in his chart. She pulled up his gown and injected the Heprin into his abdomen. One of the things she loved most about the night shift was that the patients were usually asleep and didn’t feel any pain she may cause them with shots or vitals.
She would bet her life on this patient. His prognosis had been so grim when he came in. Tonight, his breathing was deep, his heart was pounding, his color was perfect. He was gorgeous. She had gotten close to the Moretti gang in the past two weeks. If she was honest with herself, she was a little jealous of the love Andi had for him. She couldn’t wait to see his eyes, to hear his voice. She was intrigued by this one.
She grabbed the vase of flowers off the table by the door. They were low on water and too beautiful to wither away. Filling the vase, she turned back to the door.
“Naughty Nickie.” The voice was weak and raspy.
She turned and locked eyes with the most beautiful silver orbs she had ever seen. Her jaw dropped and the vase slipped from her hands. Glass shattered, drawing the attention of the medical staff outside the door.
Jena ran through the curtain. Kevin’s eyes shifted to hers. “Kevin?”
He didn’t respond but his eyes followed her as she walked into the room. She pulled out her pen light. His pupils were equal and reactive. She sobbed and laid her head on his chest. The fingers on his right hand reached for her before he took a deep breath and closed his eyes again.
“He spoke.” Nickie smiled as she looked up from the broken glass.
“What did he say?” Jena wiped her tears.
Nickie laughed. “I think he said Naughty Nickie.”
Jena clapped her hands. “He’s going to be ok.”
Chapter 23
Andi ran down the hall of the hospital. Against her better judgment, she had chosen to go home and take a shower. The minute she stepped out and wrapped herself in a towel, Jena had called and told her to get back to the hospital. She had hung up right after that. Andi’s heart pounded as she raced the clock. She had no idea what she would find. Rounding the corner at a full sprint, Ryan stepped into the hall and caught her when she was knocked off balance.
“Where’s the fire, speed racer?” Ryan laughed but paled when he saw her face. “What happened?”
“I don’t know.” Andi was out of breath. “Jena called and told me to get down here. Why are you here?”
“I couldn’t sleep. Thought I would come apologize for what an asshole I was earlier.” Ryan grabbed her hand and jogged the rest of the way to the ICU.
Slamming through the door, the nurses all jumped. Nickie’s eyes filled with tears and she smiled. Jen
a couldn’t help herself. She jumped up and down.
Andi’s eyes narrowed. “What’s going on?”
“He spoke.” Jena squealed. “He followed me with his eyes and moved his hand.”
Andi fell to her knees and covered her face. She was so overcome with relief that her legs gave out. Over the past two weeks, her body had become weakened. She hadn’t been eating or sleeping. She had no exercise and no sunshine. She had put her internship on hold with the hospital and had spent every day by Kevin’s side. She had neglected herself because she loved him so much that she couldn’t leave him. She felt like she hadn’t taken a breath in fourteen days.
“What did he say?” Ryan’s voice was full of emotion.
Nickie giggled. “We think he said Naughty Nickie.”
Ryan belly laughed. He knelt next to her and pulled her into an embrace. “I’m going to help you up. Ready?”
She nodded and let Ryan pick her up. He smiled at Jena and winked at Nickie. Instead of putting her down to walk, he carried her into the room.
Kevin was still but he didn’t look as pale. Ryan took a seat while Andi crawled onto the bed. She assumed the usual position and they waited. There was no response but they both smiled. Afraid to get their hopes up, they settled in for the night. Andi fell asleep first, her body overcome with exhaustion. Hearing her snoring, Ryan’s eyes grew heavy. He laid his head on Andi’s legs and was pulled into slumber.
Kevin opened his eyes. The room was dark and cold. The snoring was driving him insane. He was only slightly aware of what was happening. He remembered being in the gym with Lily and Liz and having a chest pain that brought him to his knees. He thought he was dreaming the few times he opened his eyes. Nothing seemed clear. He felt like he was weighted down with concrete and unable to move. The blond nurse had been in a few times. She was easy on the eyes except when she shoved a needle in his gut. Ryan had been yelling earlier. Nickie was the only thing he remembered. Naughty Nurse Nickie. If he didn’t feel so bad, that might have worked in his favor.