Page 96 of Forever Mine
“I’ll close the privacy curtain, but I’ll be right on the other side.”
“Okay.”
After she pulls the long, white curtain, I call Jayson.
“How fast can you get to Carolina General?”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
ELIJAH
One thing melds into another,like a fractal of colors and white noise. I’m a robot, responding autonomously to what the nurse says. Minutes pass like hours as I wait, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Every time someone walks by, I hold my breath, hoping for news, while also dreading what it might be.
I want Julien. I need to see that he’s okay. I just need to see him.
I’m not a religious person, but I clasp my hands together and beg anyway.
After cleaning the cut above my right eyebrow, the nurse applies a butterfly closure.
“Doctor Nowak will be in shortly. I’ll see if I can find out any news on your guy.”
“Thank you.”
She gently pushes my shoulder until I lay back on the bed and covers me with a starchy, thin blanket. “Try to relax and not worry.”
Not likely.
I check my phone when it vibrates.
Jayson: With Jules. Liz and Ry are here, too. What room are you in? Ry will head your way.
Me: Room 5. How is he?
Dots bounce.
Jayson: Pissed because he wants to see you. They’re taking him for a CAT scan. Hold on. He wants me to be his fucking secretary and dictate.
For the first time since the car plunged into the lake, I’m able to breathe.
Jayson: Are you okay? (that’s him, not me)
Me: Tell him I’m fine. Tell him I love him. I’ll be there as soon as they let me leave.
Jayson: I love you (him, not me, but yeah, me, too ). Goddammit, not yet (him). They’re wheeling him out for the CAT.
Jayson: FYI. Ry just came back in. Said two police officers are at the nurse’s station. They want to talk to you and Jules. They’ll probably go to you first. He called Fallon.
Shit.
Fallon will call Dad.
Jayson: What the hell happened?
Me: I don’t know. I think something hit us. Deer, maybe? I didn’t notice another car on the road. It happened so fast.
DAD pops up on my screen. Well, that took two seconds.
Me: Dad’s calling.
