Page 89 of Love Collided

“Lead the way.” Ransom said as everyone headed to their cars.

My heart raced as I got into my car, wishing I had a new one by now to help me get there faster, but this one would do for the moment.

By the timeI ran into the hospital, I was out of breath and on the verge of crying. I couldn’t believe I had been sitting there all day mad at him, and he had been here.

I made it to his room, stopping short when I saw him. His face was covered in bruises, but there was no splint on his nose, which was good. A cut had been stitched across the top of his eyebrow, and his arm was wrapped in a cast.

“Chase,” I breathed, somehow upset he was here and happy that he was at least alive. “What happened?”

I didn’t expect him to reply, his eyes still closed, but his head rolled towards me, smiling as he finally looked at me.

“Hey, Hellcat.” His voice was hoarse, and I grabbed the cup of water, helping him take a sip of it.

I leaned down, pressing one careful kiss to his lips, and he smiled.

“Wow, I like that hello.”

“I personally don’t when you can barely kiss me back. What happened?” I searched his face, relief still washing over me that he wasn’t completely broken. “When did this happen?”

The rest of the crew was crowding in behind me now. I still held onto him as everyone looked him over, but I couldn’t find it in me to let him go.

“Last night.”

I couldn’t say it, but I wanted to. Last night after he had left my apartment.

“Where were you?”

“The gas station is around the corner from my place. I ran into…a few people who apparently don’t like me.”

“Who hates you this much?” Kye asked, moving around the sit down on the chair next to the bed.

Chase looked at me, and then back at the crew. “I’m surprised all of you came.”

“Scout said you’re in the hospital. We are obviously going to come see what’s wrong,” Fox said.

“And honestly, the food here is becoming a comfort meal,” Jax said. “Do they give a punch card for this place? Like 10 hospital visits and then you get a free meal or something?”

“Really? Getting sick of my cooking?” Carly asked, her eyebrows jumping up.

“I personally would prefer your food to another jello cup,” Chase said, trying to grin, but the split lip wasn’t letting him.

Carly smiled. “I can promise you an entire buffet once you’re out of here.”

I was still watching Chase, annoyed he was avoiding answering. “What happened, Chase?”

He shrugged. “Like I said, a few guys jumped me and this happened.”

“A few? How many?”

“Three. I think?”

“You said you knew them. Who was it?”

He didn’t answer, but kept staring at me.

“Who was it?” I asked again, worry setting into my gut that I already knew.

“Jesse and some of his friends.”

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