Blackout

by Dani Matthews

  The friendly, older woman smiles. “I’ll send him right in. Is there anything else I can do for you before I leave?”

  “No. I think I’m good.”

  “You just press the call button if you need anything,” she insists before she bustles out of the small, hospital room.

  I close my eyes for a second, resting them.

  When I open them again, I find Gabe sitting in the chair next to the bed, my right hand held in his warm one. Had I fallen asleep? “Gabe?” I mumble.

  He scoots closer, but I can’t focus on his face. “Hey. I’ve been anxiously waiting to see those gorgeous eyes of yours.”

  “Was I sleeping?”

  “I didn’t want to wake you.”

  I draw in a deep breath and wince. I’d broken a few ribs, so I’m going to be sore for a long time to come. Thankfully, the stab wound hadn’t been too serious other than the fact that I’d lost a lot of blood and had needed a transfusion. The knife had missed any internal organs, so I’d gotten away with just stitches. My left wrist and fingers will likely be the worst injury to deal with. I have a cast from my elbow to my hand, and my last three fingers are included in the cast.

  I look at him and give him a wobbly smile. “I’m sick of hospitals.”

  He brings my hand to his lips and kisses my palm. “No more. I’m taking you home tomorrow and never letting you out of my sight.”

  “Sounds like heaven,” I murmur. The sound of someone knocking on the open door has us both looking up. A tall, dark-haired man enters the room. “Bryce?” I question.

  Gabe turns his head to look at me. “You don’t recognize him?”

  “My vision is still blurred.”

  Bryce walks to my bedside. “How are you doing?” he asks me.

  “I’ve been better,” I say dryly.

  “I need to get a full statement from you, because we’re having a tough time putting all the puzzle pieces together,” he explains.

  “Did you find him?” I ask. My pain is worsening, which warns me the medication is waning. At least my brain isn’t as foggy as it was earlier.

  Gabe turns to Bryce. “Should I leave?”

  “I don’t mind if you stay, but it’s up to Harper.”

  “He can stay,” I say immediately, wanting him to stay close.

  Gabe rises to his feet. “Here, why don’t you sit, and I’ll hang in the background,” he suggests to Bryce.

  They switch spots, and Bryce settles in the chair. “Why don’t you start from the very beginning. I’m going to record this conversation, is that all right with you?”

  “It’s fine.”

  Once he’s ready, he waits for me to begin.

  “He broke into my car,” I tell him, shuddering as I recall the moment I’d realized I was trapped with Mason. The movement has me wincing, and I close my eyes a moment, waiting for the pain to pass.

  “Do you want me to get the nurse?” Bryce asks politely.

  “No,” I grit out. “It’s pain I’m going to have to get used to.” When the pain has faded, I open my eyes once more. “He was waiting in my car this morning. I didn’t know it until I was a few blocks away from the house.”

  “Who?” Bryce asks intently.

  “Mason Hasner.”

  “Mason?” Gabe asks incredulously.

  Through my blurred vision, I see Bryce motion for Gabe to remain silent before he turns back to me. “You’re certain you can identify him?”

  “Yes. He confessed everything to me. You didn’t find him at the scene of the accident?”

  “No. There was nobody else around.”

  “You’re certain?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then he’s still out there,” I say softly, an uneasy feeling sweeping over me. “He had a vehicle waiting for him at the base of the mountain.”

  “Can you tell me how this all came about?” Bryce asks.

  I retell everything that happened, right up to the part when the hikers found me. Gabe is completely silent as he listens, and Bryce stops me to ask questions here and there.

  When my statement is finished, Bryce tucks the recorder back in his pocket and leans over to squeeze my right hand. “I’m glad you’re okay. I’m going to go put out an APB for Mason Hasner. Until he’s caught, I’ll see what I can do about getting an officer stationed outside your room.”

  “Thank you,” I tell him.

  Once he’s gone, Gabe reclaims the chair. “I never saw that one coming,” he says, referring to Mason.

  “You and me both. He was even at the grocery store the other day.” My thoughts shift to Emma. “When Emma finds out, she’s going to be heartbroken.”

  Gabe’s eyes roam over my face, and he reaches for my hand. “I’m more concerned about you. I’m camping in this chair tonight,” he says, his eyes daring me to argue.

  “I have no intention of talking you out of it.”

  “Quinn’s here. She really wants to see you, but she felt that you might want to see me first,” he explains.

  I squeeze his hand. “I love her, but she was correct.” I gaze at him, wishing I could see his beautiful gray eyes clearly. “I was so scared, Gabe. I really thought I was going to die.”

  “I was scared, too. The thought of never seeing you again…” he says softly.

  “I want a label,” I whisper.

  “You do?” he asks, already knowing what I’m referring to.

  I’d nod, but my head is pounding horribly. “Yes. I want a label with you. This is real, and I’m not going to deny it any longer.”

  He moves and leans over me, kissing my lips ever so gently. “Girlfriend. Done,” he murmurs as he pulls back.

  My lips turn upwards into a pained smile. “Mine.”

  “Yours,” he confirms. “You’re in pain. I’m calling the nurse,” he says with concern.

  “I got it.” I press the call button. “Can you grab Quinn? I have a feeling that once the nurse gives me more pain meds, I’m going to fall asleep.”

  “I’ll be right back,” he promises.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” I joke.

  He just shakes his head and leaves the room.

  By the time he comes back with Quinn on his heels, the nurse is just leaving, and I’m beginning to feel pleasantly drowsy.

  Quinn hurries to my bedside, and she takes my hand. “You look horrible,” she says shakily, and I can tell that she’s on the verge of tears.

  I give her a loopy smile and try to squeeze her hand. “You need to work on your compliments. They’re sorely lacking,” I mumble.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay. Gabe said he’s going to stay the night with you, otherwise, I would. But somehow, I think you’d prefer him over me,” she teases.

  “He’s cuddlier than you,” I say, hearing the slur in my voice.

  Quinn sighs dramatically. “There you go again, insulting my little lady bits.”

  “You can have some of mine…” My eyes are closing, and I can feel myself drifting away.

  ***

  The next day, Gabe pulls into the driveway, and Bryce parks his SUV next to us. It’s early afternoon, and I’ve been released from the hospital. There’s still no word on where Mason has disappeared to, so Bryce insisted on following us home. He wants to look over the house before we settle in since it’s Wednesday. The rest of our housemates are working, or in Channing’s case, at the university.

  “Wait, and I’ll help you,” Gabe insists.

  Before I can protest, he quickly climbs out of the car and tosses the house keys to Bryce. Then, he comes to my side of the car and opens the door as Bryce walks to the front door.

  I give him a look. “My legs still work just fine.”

  “I know.” He looks at me affectionately. “You’re adorable when you’re grumpy.”

  “I’m not grumpy,” I protest.

  “You’re grumpy,” he says firmly. “Come on.”

  The pain has been dulled with medication, and we’d filled my prescriptions to h
elp me get through the worst of my aches and pains in the coming week. I’m incredibly sleepy, and all I want to do is crawl into the first bed I see.

  Gabe has his hand out, and I accept it and allow him to help me ease out of the car. My chest still hurts, and my head will probably ache for days, but at least my wrist and fingers aren’t bothering me. I see that he makes a move to slip his arm around me, and then he hesitates before taking my hand once more.

  We walk up the driveway, and I’m relieved that my vision has finally cleared. Now if only Mason could be found and taken into custody, I could begin putting this nightmare behind me.

  When we enter the house, Gabe and I wait in the doorway while Bryce makes certain the windows and back door haven’t been tampered with.

  I’m almost asleep on my feet, and I turn to Gabe and rest my head on his chest. His arms promptly wrap around me, settling low on my hips as he holds me. My eyes close, and I begin to drift to sleep right there in his arms.

  “Everything’s all clear,” Bryce’s voice cuts in, momentarily startling me.

  “Thanks, Bryce,” Gabe says, his chest vibrating beneath my cheek.

  “The patrol will stay increased until further notice. Hasner can’t stay hidden for long, and sooner or later, he’s going to make a mistake. Until then, if you see anything suspicious, call me immediately.”

  “We will,” Gabe replies.

  A second later, the front door opens and closes.

  “Let’s get you to bed,” Gabe murmurs.

  I allow him to lead me through the house, bypassing the stairs and going straight to his room. I’m certainly not going to complain, and through hazy eyes, I watch him pull back the sheets on his bed.

  I’m dressed in the loose tee and lounge pants that Quinn had dropped off at the hospital this morning, and I move to the bed and carefully ease onto the mattress. If feels good to be lying down, and as soon as my head touches one of the pillows, my eyelids drift shut.

  I feel Gabe lean over and brush a kiss across my temple. “Sleep, and I’ll keep watch over you.”

  Twenty-four

  Harper

  When I open my eyes next, I note that the lighting in Gabe’s room has changed. The sun has set further in the sky, and I carefully turn my head to look at his alarm clock. It’s six in the evening, and I spy a bottle of water and my pills waiting for me.

  It’s a struggle, but I manage to sit up and take my next dose of medication. My head is pounding something fierce, and every breath causes pain deep within my chest. I sit absolutely still for a while, waiting for the medication to kick in.

  When Gabe peeks in to check on me, he finds me still sitting there. “Are you okay?” he asks with concern.

  I give him a wry smile. “Getting there.”

  He walks over and sits down beside me. “You were out for quite some time. Are you hungry?”

  My nose wrinkles. I’m still feeling ‘off,’ and food isn’t exactly high up on my list right now. A shower is, though.

  “You need to eat,” Gabe chides, reading my expression.

  “I know, but maybe later. I really want a shower.”

  He nods. “Are you sure you’re feeling up to that?”

  “I feel dirty from the accident.”

  “I’ll get a plastic bag to cover your wrist and hand. Would you like me to help you bathe?” he offers.

  “Would you, please?”

  He rises to his feet. “I’ll go track down a bag.”

  “Will you grab me some fresh clothing, too?”

  “I sure will.”

  After he disappears, I fight back a yawn. The pain is easing, but now I’m wanting to go back to sleep. I hate how drowsy the meds make me feel, and I’m determined to stay awake for a while. I’d meant to ask Gabe if there was any news on Mason, and I remind myself to ask him when he comes back.

  To prevent my body from wanting to lie back down, I force myself to stand, and I stretch my sore legs. Everything’s stiff from the accident, but at least I’m alive.

  Gabe had left the bedroom door open, and I step into the hall and can hear voices coming from somewhere within the house. It’s evening, so odds are mostly everyone’s home. I’m not in the mood to rehash the accident with anyone, so I make my way to the bathroom and switch on the light.

  I gaze at my reflection in the mirror, and my brow creases. Damn. I look worse than I’d imagined. My hair is a snarly mess around my face, and my left temple and the surrounding area is bruised. The cut in my hairline hadn’t needed stitches, but there’s quite a swollen knot where my head had connected with either the frame of the driver’s side door, or the window.

  Movement comes from the doorway, and I look up as Gabe enters the bathroom. He quietly nudges the door closed behind him, and he holds up a plastic shopping bag and rubber band in one hand, and a bundle of clean clothing in the other. “All set.”

  “Thanks,” I tell him with a tired smile. I peer down at the tee I’m wearing, and then look at the cast on my left wrist and hand. This is going to be fun.

  “Would you like me to help?” Gabe asks, his tone gentle. He knows how much I hate having things done for me, but I’m beyond the point of arguing.

  I’m sure I’m going to look a nasty sight beneath my clothes, but I’m not going to turn down his offer when I’m as sore as I am. “If you don’t mind.”

  His eyes connect with mine. “I’ll never mind, Harper.”

  I gaze back at him, still amazed that I have this second chance with him. I’d been too scared to give into the inevitable and had almost missed this with him. Had I not been attacked that night with Brandie, I would have determinedly moved out to protect my heart. Mason has changed my life forever—mostly for the worse, but at least one good thing came out of this mess.

  “Hey, you okay?” Gabe asks softly.

  I shake off my musings. “Just struggling to stay awake. Maybe I could use some coffee after this.”

  “I already started some. I was hoping the scent would trigger your hunger.”

  His admission brings a smile to my face. “You know me so well.”

  He returns the smile and then looks at me expectantly. “Ready to get undressed?”

  “I guess.”

  I stand still as Gabe carefully eases the tee shirt up, and I wince and lift my arms so the fabric can come up over my head. As soon as Gabe sets the shirt aside, he draws in a sharp breath—his gaze fixed on my upper body.

  My eyes automatically follow his, and I find that my chest is a mass of black and blue bruises. I also have seat belt burn, and my eyes lower to the stitched wound on my side. “Another scar,” I say softly. Mason’s left a second mark on my body.

  Gabe touches my chin, bringing my gaze up to his. “You’re a survivor. Not a victim, but a survivor,” he says in a firm voice.

  I nod in agreement.

  His attention shifts, and he kneels before me and gently eases my pants and panties off my body. I carefully step out of them. Under normal circumstances, I’d be feeling a little self-conscious, but not today. Yes, this is intimate, but it’s not sexual.

  Gabe strips down himself and stands naked before me as he adjusts the plastic bag over my cast and secures it.

  Of course, I’m going to admire his body, but I’m far from in the mood to act on my attraction. I glance down at my left hand, finding a little amusement over how goofy I look.

  After Gabe starts the shower and adjusts the water temperature, he helps me into it. I face the spray, careful not to let the force of it hit my chest. The warm water feels good on my body, and I just stand there, conscious of Gabe directly behind me.

  His hands gently touch my hips, and I feel his chest press into my back as he wraps his arms carefully around my waist, hugging me from behind.

  Since we’d come home from the hospital, I’ve been craving his nearness. He represents safety, and I just want to burrow into him. I lean back and tilt my head so that it’s resting comfortably on his shoulder, and I simply enjo
y his embrace.

  Gabe’s cheek presses against mine as he holds me. “I love you, Harper,” he says quietly over the shower spray. “Life’s too short to hide how I feel.”

  My heart skips a beat, and a warmth spreads throughout me. I’d already known, but hearing him say it means the world to me. I carefully straighten and begin to turn in his arms.

  He releases me so that I can face him.

  I look into his beautiful gaze and know that he was always meant for me. “I love you, too,” I tell him, my eyes never wavering from his.

  His eyes widen, and then emotion flares in his gaze as he reaches up and gently brushes aside a strand of hair that was sticking to my cheek. “There will never be anyone but you,” he vows.

  “I know.”

  I can’t base our relationship off what happened years ago. We need to concentrate on the present, and the Gabe that stands before me is a grown man with adult feelings. He’s given me no reason to doubt his loyalty, and until he does, I’m going to trust him with all that I have to give.

  He leans down and kisses me lightly. I savor the tender kiss until it ends. Then, I step forward into his embrace, and he holds me for a long time.

  Eventually, we pull apart, and he offers to wash my hair. The soap stings the cut, but he’s incredibly gentle. After my hair is rinsed, he cleans my body with soap.

  I gaze down at him as he kneels before me, carefully running his soapy hands up and down my legs. “Can we revisit this scenario when I’m feeling better?” I can’t resist teasing.

  He looks up, grinning. “I sure as hell hope so.”

  When we’re finished with the shower, Gabe tenderly dries me off. He then helps me slip on a fresh tee and a new pair of lounge pants. After he wraps a towel around his hips, he motions for me to turn around so that he can towel dry my hair.

  I give him my back, facing the mirror and watching our reflection. His expression is focused as he gently pats my hair, careful of the injury. My heart clenches over how close I’d come to losing my life and never seeing him again. “I was so scared I was never going to see you again,” I say softly.