by Brynn Ford
I felt completely off-kilter, maybe a little in shock seeing my perceptively invincible friend in a hospital bed. It took me a minute to find my voice again, a reaction that unnerved me.
I cleared my throat, running a hand through my hair and blowing out a breath, “Can you tell me what happened? On the phone, you said she was hit by a car?”
“That’s what the paramedics told us. An ambulance brought her in and she was unconscious when she arrived, thank heavens.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She’ll be in a lot of pain when she wakes up. We’ll be able to manage it now that she’s here. Would’ve been something awful to be conscious for when they brought her in. I guess she went right off the curb on a green light and fell in the street, didn’t move out of the way in time. A cab struck her. She’s a very lucky girl to survive a hit like that. The vehicle must have slowed down enough to limit further injury. I’ve seen much, much worse from this type of accident. She’s actually in pretty good shape for this sort of thing, if you ask me.”
“Shit,” I said, then remembered my manners, “Excuse my language.”
Nancy waved me off, “I’ve heard worse. If you can’t cuss for situations like this, then what the fuck can you cuss for?”
I made a mental note to keep on Nancy’s good side. She had a presence that suggested she could handle a stressful situation, the type of nurse who got shit done and knew what she was doing. I would need to stay on top of the people caring for Ris. She would be a good ally.
“Thank you for calling me, Nancy.”
“Part of my job. Have you called her family? Her parents? You were the only contact listed.”
“Her mom lives in Seattle. I’ll have to call her. It’ll be a long trip for her to get here. Her twin brother, though, I think he’s in Michigan now. Might be able to get here sooner.”
“And you’re the boyfriend? Husband?”
“I’m…family. Just family. Ill-defined.”
“You can sit,” Nancy motioned to a terribly uncomfortable looking chair in the corner beside the bed, “I’d say her anesthesia will wear off in the next twenty minutes or so. Hopefully, she’ll start waking up then.”
I didn’t like the way she said that, “Hopefully?”
“She’s sustained a lot of injuries, Mr. Haven. Her body needs rest. She might not come to right away.”
“Shit, is it really that bad?”
She sighed, swiveling in her seat to face me fully, “I’m an operative nurse, Mr. Haven. I’ve seen much worse than this, but she’s not in great shape, not by a long shot. She’s definitely not walking out of here today.”
I lowered into the uncomfortable chair next to Ris, pulling it close to her bedside. I reached through the side rail opening for her hand that rested limply by her hip.
I hesitated to hold it, my fingers barely brushing her knuckles. The hesitation felt odd, it held me with fear that I might somehow bring her more pain by holding her hand. I tilted my head to stretch my neck and pushed through the feeling that gave me pause, taking her hand in mine and holding it with my fingers laced between hers.
I sat with her like that for another thirty minutes, the last ten of which felt like an entire lifetime.
Gradually, Christine’s eyes floated open.
The opening was slow, but the awareness was immediate. I could see the flicker of recognition behind her baby blues as soon as she lifted her lids. But I didn’t know if it was recognition of her surroundings or remembrance for the horrible thing that happened to her. I stood up, leaning over her bed so she could see me, and told her it was okay, that she was okay. A few moments passed and she started to speak slowly, steadily.
“I got hit by a car.”
“Yeah, I know. But you’re okay, Ris. You’re gonna be just fine.”
“I got hit by a car,” she repeated.
I could see fear cloud her vision, trying hard to grip her. I did my best to reassure her, but that look, that vulnerability that I’d never seen in her before shocked me, causing my breath to catch.
“Ris, you’re okay, I’m here,” I squeezed her hand a little tighter.
“He pushed me. He tried to kill me. Oh, my God,” liquid glassed over her eyes, threatening to spill over.
She’d just confirmed what I knew in my gut, that Asher was involved.
He pushed her in front of a fucking car.
“Asher?” I had to confirm.
Her head nodded, nearly imperceptibly, “Yes.”
Rage boiled in my gut, making me sick to my stomach. But I had to control myself, I had to squash my own emotions because I needed to be her steady pillar of strength.
“You’re in good hands, Ms. Warren,” Nancy said from the opposite side of the bed, “I need you to lay still, honey.”
Ris started to cry. In her true fashion, I could see on her face the way she tried to hold back, trying to be strong, trying to prevent sobs and fear from taking over. I’d seen her do this once before, when we were together, when I pushed a little too hard and a little too far. She was overwhelmed and rightfully so. But Ris prided herself on her stoicism and her ability to endure. If there were ever a time for her to break, it was now.
“You know you don’t have to put on a brave face with me,” I reminded her gently.
As if all she needed were my reassurance, her breath hitched and the dam holding back her tears burst. The flood didn’t last long, though. I knew she was afraid someone might overhear her public unraveling. She was always so concerned over her image. Though I wasn’t happy about her reluctance toward public vulnerability at that moment, I did appreciate that strength about her. I watched as she deliberately pulled herself back together.
As the drugs slowly wore off and she became more alert, I could see her factual nature returning, hiding her vulnerability behind a shield of no-nonsense knowledge-seeking. Her eyes demanded to know what happened to her body.
“Tell me. Tell me what’s wrong with me. Am I okay?”
The muscles in my neck tightened, yanking my shoulders back uncomfortably with the tension. I pushed a smile from the corners of my lips, doing my best to convince her that everything was right as rain with my usual charm.
“Well,” I started, “If you’re thinking you died and went to heaven seeing my face smiling down at you, you’d be wrong, Angel.”
Her face was like stone as her eyes searched mine for signs that something might be terribly, horribly wrong. She found nothing but concern and care.
“Jasper,” she squeezed my hand tight, “Can you stay with me? I don’t want to be alone.”
“I’m here for you, sweetheart,” I answered without hesitation.
Just a little while later, her surgeon came in and shared all the details of her injuries. It was like a stab to the gut to hear that Ris had internal bleeding due to a ruptured spleen, an injury that could have been life threatening if they hadn’t gotten it taken care of right away. Each injury they named thereafter just twisted the knife in my stomach, around and around.
Two broken ribs, which ruptured her spleen.
Dislocated left shoulder.
Mild concussion.
Bruised wrist.
Lacerations across her hands and face, which I could already see for myself.
If I see that son-of-a-bitch again, I’m taking him out myself.
“How long will I be here?” Ris asked the doctor, then looked over at me, “I have to be out of here in time for Vaughn’s sentencing.”
“That’s not your priority right now.”
Her eyes narrowed at me, “It’s top priority, Law. It’s the priority.”
The doctor chimed in, “A few days at the least,” she said, “We need to observe you carefully while you heal from surgery.”
“A few days?” Ris looked at me again, “I’ll need you to get my laptop and I have a stack of –”
“No,” I was firm, “Let me worry about that, you just need to rest and heal.”
�
�Law, I can’t –”
“Stop. No,” I said with finality.
Ris pinched her eyes shut and swallowed, taking a deep breath.
“They should have a room ready for you soon, Ms. Warren,” the surgeon said before leaving.
“Everything hurts,” Ris whispered, her face scrunching as she rode a wave of pain.
I knew the look.
I’d seen it before, but those circumstances were vastly more fun than this bullshit.
“Sweetheart, I’m gonna take care of everything. I promise. Just shut your eyes and rest now. I’m not leaving. You’re safe here. And everything’s going to be okay.”
I really hoped that was true.
Chapter 2
Ris
I was awake.
I was aware.
I was in so, so much pain.
Law stayed with me in recovery and he didn’t leave my side as they moved me to a private hospital room. I never thought I’d be so grateful to have him near me, but I truly couldn’t think of anyone else who would put their life on hold for me this way. I was glad that I hadn’t updated my emergency contact since we became close friends in law school.
To think, if I’d updated it when I left Law for Asher a couple of years ago, what could have happened?
They would have called Asher.
He would have known right where I was.
He might have shown up here to finish the job he started.
He still could.
I felt the anxiety rippling like a current through my spine. Asher was probably still out there. I didn’t know if anyone had seen him push me into traffic. I didn’t know if anyone would have cared to report it if they had seen it. I was trying to hide it, but I was terrified he might show up here and do something crazy.
For that very reason, I had to thank my lucky stars that Law had remained faithfully on my medical records as my emergency contact. I didn’t really have anyone else in the area. I had many acquaintances and people I would call nearly-friends, but Law had been the only real staple in my life. He was my oldest friend to date, right around six years now that we’ve been friends.
He knew everything about me, about my family, things I wish he didn’t still know. He was important in my life. But we’d been distant since I started seeing Asher about two years ago. I could understand why, I had left him for Asher after all.
The two of them used to be decent friends until Asher started drinking. Even when he gambled away the money Law loaned him, unbeknownst to me, Law tried to be understanding, forgiving, even. That was when things started rolling downhill for Asher, and for me by proxy.
A nurse appeared at the door and walked over to my bed. Law and I smiled at her graciously as she laid a gentle hand on my right forearm.
Thank God my dominant hand isn’t injured.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m all right,” I lied.
“The police are back to take your report. They said they have some questions. Are you okay with them coming in now?”
I nodded, “Yes, the sooner the better.”
“Are you okay if I step out while they’re here to grab some coffee? Law asked.
My muscles strained at the thought of him leaving my side, but I knew I’d be safe with the cops here. I couldn’t deny Law the opportunity to take care of himself, especially if I was going to ask him to stay with me tonight, which I fully intended to do.
I nodded and smiled, “Of course, take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”
Law approached me and he reached out, his hand landing gently on the side of my head and stroking softly downward over my hair. I held my breath at the memory of the way he used to do that after we played. Our eyes met for a moment, blue reflecting blue and I saw he remembered it, too. In a strange way, it was comforting, familiar.
We smiled at each other and he bent down to place his lips against my forehead in a lingering kiss.
“I’ll be back before the police leave. I promise. You’re safe here, Angel.”
It should have bothered me to hear him call me Angel. It was what Asher had been calling me for years. But he had gotten the nickname from Law. Law had given me that name and it was burden lifting to hear him take back ownership of it without a second thought.
I grinned as I watched him walk away. At the door, he stopped briefly and turned back to look at me with a caring grin that told me he really would be here to look after me. It shifted the dark shadow over my heart just a fraction, allowing a small piece of it to be exposed to the sun, giving it a lightness that I desperately needed.
The officer that came in just behind him had a familiar face and I brightened when he appeared in the doorway.
“Officer Jones, how are you?” I greeted him happily.
“Christine Warren, what the hell happened to you?”
I grinned, “A walk home gone wrong.”
Jack Jones and I had become friends over the past few years. He was my best contact at the police department when I was defending criminal cases. He was middle-aged, in his mid-forties, and had a perfectly lovely wife and three children. I’d met them a couple of times before. He was a genuinely nice man and I was glad to see him.
Jack came around and pulled a chair up next to my bed, sitting beside me, “I hear you were hit by a car, is that right?”
“Unfortunately,” I nodded.
“Well, I sure am glad you’re okay. I heard the call come in on the radio. Never in a million years would’ve imagined it was you.”
“It wasn’t an accident, Jack.”
“That’s what I was told. Before you tell me what happened in your words, I need to let you know…that ex-boyfriend of yours, Asher? He’s down at the station being questioned about this accident. Now I know what happened with him a few days ago, so I’m gonna take a big leap here and guess that he’s exactly where he should be right now.”
I felt light enough to float right off that confining hospital bed.
“He’s in custody? Oh, my God. Jack, he has to be held. He pushed me in front of the car that hit me. I’m here right now because of him. They can’t let him leave.”
“He’s not going anywhere. He’s too drunk to lawyer up, so things are on our side there, but we’ve got to get your first-hand account of what happened so we can put him behind bars tonight.”
I recounted the event in as much concise detail as I possibly could, knowing how important this police report would be. I had a whole dirty laundry list of other charges for the things he had done to me over the past year that no one else knew about.
Larceny.
Battery.
Sexual assault.
Stalking.
And of course, two counts now of aggravated assault and attempted murder.
There was no way he would get off without significant jail time. I wouldn’t allow it. Asher was stupid to test me. He should have made sure I was dead.
Jack waited with me until Law returned with a drink carrier that held three cups.
"My hero," I told him dramatically as he handed one of them to me.
"Tell me I got it right, black tea with honey?" he grinned.
"You got it right. I also would've settled for honey with black tea."
"Should I go get a jar of honey and a spoon? You can just eat it raw."
He pulled a true smile from me even when the muscles of my face felt too exhausted to form the shape of it across my cheeks.
"I'm good," I assured him as he handed the third cup to Jack.
Jack headed out with a friendly goodbye and I rested my head back on the pillow, realizing I’d been craning my neck as I told my story. I told Law that Asher was off the street and I could see the tension visibly leave his shoulders. Those muscles had to be in knots, the way he was carrying that stress.
“Your brother’s trying to get a flight out tomorrow,” he told me.
“Oh, he doesn’t have to do that. Did you tell him he doesn’t have to do that?”
“I
told him he doesn’t have to do that. He didn’t care what I had to say about it. He’s calling your mom, too, so I imagine she’ll be on a flight yesterday,” he smiled.
“Thank you for that. You really didn’t have to step in like this.”
“I am your emergency contact after all,” he smirked, pulling a chair up close to my bed.
I relaxed into the pillows, finally taking a deep breath for the first time since I woke up from surgery.
“Were you with Desi when they called you? Did you tell her?”
“I was with her. She doesn’t know a thing. I wasn’t about to add any stress to her life before I knew what I was up against here.”
I sighed, “She’s gonna flip.”
“She’s already flipped.”
“Still camped out on the living room floor?”
“Yep.”
“Poor thing,” I made a sympathetic sound, “Maybe we can just skip telling her about this. You can just hide me away until I heal and make up some story about a long vacation.”
“Right,” he chuckled, “Like you would ever take a vacation, let alone a long one.”
He watched me for a few quiet moments, his face discerning in its study.
“You’re in pain.”
“It’s not that bad.”
“You got hit by a car, Ris. Don’t feed me that bullshit. I’ll be back.”
“Don’t –” I called after him, but it was too late, he was already out the door.
He came back in minutes later, returning to his chair at my bedside.
“The nurse will be in to increase your morphine dose shortly,” he said as he sipped his drink, “She’s just got to check with the on-call first.”
I turned my head sharply to glare at him, ready to scold. But the abrupt movement pulled painfully at every muscle in my body in a ripple effect of hurt. I had a pretty high pain tolerance, but this was off the charts. Instead of scolding him for being too forward, I groaned in gratitude as liquid pooled behind my eyes, threatening to spill and reveal the agony I was truly experiencing.
Crying won't help the pain.
Toughen up, buttercup.
I couldn’t toughen up enough to handle this without medication. I conceded my stubbornness, thankful that he knew what I needed when I wasn’t willing to admit it myself.