Page 136 of Forbidden Game

“I don’t feel that bad, honest.”

I mean, it certainly felt like I’d just been hit by a car, but I wasn’t going to worry anyone more than necessary.

“I’m sorry.” Her chocolate eyes melt with guilt.

“I shouldn’t have made you get in the car with us.” Tears drip off Lee’s bottom lashes as she wheels herself closer to the bed.

Deer is nibbling her bottom lip within an inch of its life.

I look at all the worried faces around me.

All right. That is enough.

“Don’t you all start.” I push myself up, gritting through the pain. “Look, I’m going to say this once and once only. What happened isn’t anyone’s fault. There are a million things that can happen in any day, and we can’t prevent them all.” I steel them all with a hard look. “You’re all going to do more damage worrying about the what ifs. Life can’t move on if you are stuck in the past. What happened, happened, and everyone’s okay. So, no regrets.”

My dad rubs my arm, and I turn to him to see that knowing look in his eyes.

“No regrets,” he whispers back to me.

I place my hand over his and squeeze. I’ve dealt with my demons, and sure, it is still hard for me to get behind the wheel, but I’ve done it. I would make sure the people around me don’t suffer from the same mistakes I’d made.

“You’re the best fucking thing in our lives, love. We’d be lost without you.” Parker fiddles with my blanket.

“Yeah, without you, who would keep these fuckers in line?” Aleks jerks a thumb at his teammates.

“Me? You’re the problem child, asshole,” Jackson retorts.

“Boys, what have I told you about cursing?”

A beautiful blonde woman stands in the doorway. She has a regal elegance about her that has nothing to do with the flowing olive-green silk dress she’s wearing.

“Priscilla, you were supposed to knock first.”

“I was worried.” She purses her pink lips and side-eyes the man who places a hand on her shoulder. Looking between the two of them, I am reminded exactly where Parker gets his stunning looks from. The entire Covington clan is unnaturally beautiful. “I’m glad to see you awake, dear.”

“Thank you.” I smile back at her, accepting the soothing air she radiates.

“Oh, is she alive?” Phoebe strolls in, shattering the calm.

“Pheebs, really?” Paige winces, following closely behind. The Covington sisters are opposites as always, one sharp and one soft.

There are entirely too many people in my room right now.

It is a little overwhelming, but I accept the love for what it is.

Although, now that I’m paying attention, this room is oddly large for a hospital room. Something tells me that the golden family before me had something to do with that.

Seeing all the Covingtons together triggers something in my brain. Something that has nausea rolling through me all over again.

“What day is it?”

A quiet look is shared between everyone, including my boyfriend, who is pointedly not looking at me.

I shoot my gaze at the one person who I know will answer me.

“What is the date and time?”

Phoebe’s assessing eyes flick over me before she peers at her watch. “Sunday. Eleven eighteen a.m.”

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