Page 47 of Fueled Fury

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Lainey

A steady beep sounds in the background as I sit bedside, looking over my dad. The room is silent but for the beeps. Austin leans against the wall, his leg propped up, as he keeps his eyes focused straight ahead. Neither of us have said a word since he told me to get in his truck, that he’d drive me to Houston. The entire ride to the hospital was filled with crazy thoughts. What if my dad doesn’t make it? What if the last thing I said to him was that I hated him? What if Austin leaves me at the hospital again? What if I’m alone and my dad doesn’t pull through?

The doctor answered many questions I had, telling us that my dad has some swelling on his brain and a few broken ribs but overall should make a full recovery when he wakes up. Randolph paces around the small room, telling me that he wasn’t sure what happened. My dad was driving the track and his car slammed into a wall, the force sent his car up in flames.

“Lainey.” Someone shakes my arm, and I look up to see Austin. “I’m going to grab a drink. Do you want anything?”

“No,” I respond as he makes his way across the small hospital room. “Are you coming back?”

Austin halts, slowly turning as I realize I unintentionally asked the question aloud. “Yes. I’m not going anywhere,” he responds before walking out of the room.

I glance over Dad, he has wires coming from about every part of his body. His neck brace and bandages cover most of him, but the few parts of skin peeking out are covered in gashes and bruises.

“He wouldn’t want you to worry,” Randolph says as he walks over, pats my dad on the leg then sits on the edge of the bed.

“I told him I hated him.”

“We all say things when we’re angry.” Randolph doesn’t appear surprised at my admission. “Sometimes we mean what we say, sometimes we don’t. All of it can leave a permanent scar, but every now and then, those scars are necessary for other wounds to heal.”

“I don’t know if I meant it. I don’t know how to feel because I don’t know who is lying or who is telling me the truth, who is using me and who is trying their best.”

“Do you want to hear my trick?”

“Sure.” I’ll listen to any advice if it helps me sort out this jumbled mess.

“Watch them when they think no one is looking. When the audience disappears, that’s when you see the true person you’re dealing with.” He looks over to my dad. “Most are putting on a show, but some are just trying to keep their head above water.”

I’m contemplating his words as Austin enters the room. He hands Randolph a can of Dr. Pepper then pulls out another can he had tucked under his forearm and sets it on the window sill. Walking over to me, he passes a bottle of water to me along with a paper cup, warm to the touch. “I couldn’t find any cinnamon, but there’s cream and sugar in it.”

Rising to my feet, I set the drinks down then wrap my arms around his neck, fastening them as tight as I can. “Thank you.”

His comforting hand caresses my back as he kisses my forehead. “He’s gonna be all right.”

A sob rises in me as I finally release the tears that hadn’t come until now. I’m relieved Austin is here, that he didn’t leave me, that my dad will wake up, that I’m not alone.

* * *

I spot Eli and Hannah hurrying down the corridor as I step out of the room to meet them.

“I said y’all didn’t have to drive all the way here.”

Eli pulls me into his arms, giving me a hug as he whispers, “I had to check on you.”

Hannah wraps her arms around me, giving me a reassuring pat. “How is he? How are you?”

“He’s doing all right. Still not awake, but the doctors are confident.”

“That’s great,” Eli says tightly as he glances into the room and spots Austin. “Is everything else okay? Y’all left the ranch in such a rush.”

“Yes.” I respond, deciding not to approach the topic yet. But Eli does.

“I can’t believe he did that to my mom.”

“He didn’t do anything,” I respond, glancing back to Austin. He hadn’t gone looking for a fight, he was defending me.

“Well, my dad said he isn’t allowed back at the house, so at least things will settle down now. Hopefully he’ll get his ass back to Florida.”