Page 139 of Billion Dollar Mistake

I try to push the bad away and focus on the good memories we’ve shared. Like the time when my phone didn’t scare me, and I looked forward to the cheeky remarks Nova messaged me. Or the time in the lift where I held her close for the first time. And speaking of…our first kiss. The touch of those red painted lips on mine was addictive at the very first touch. I miss the way she tastes and smells. I want to see her already. I’ll lose it if the doctor doesn’t come by today and let me see her. I need to see her.

First thing I need to do is shower and change. I can’t see her in a hospital gown.

I press the bell for the nurse, and she assists me in the shower. She adjusts the length of the drip so I don’t have to take the whole device into the shower. She says if I eat and drink enough water today without feeling sick or needing pain relief meds then the doctor said I could have it removed.

Afterward, I decide to sit in bed and nap. Doing even the most basic tasks, like showering, is exhausting.

An hour later, it's eight and I see breakfast has been delivered. I sit up on the side of my bed and eat. The door opens behind me and heavy steps stride in.

A doctor.

Thank fuck.

Getting to Nova feels like a step closer now.

“Good morning, Mr. Lincoln. I’m Doctor Andrews.”

“Morning, Doctor Andrews.”

“How are you feeling?” he asks, grabbing the chart from the nurse’s outstretched hand.

“A little tender but otherwise good.” I don’t bother lying because that won’t get me any closer to seeing Nova.

“You’re not taking much pain relief,” he murmurs, flicking the papers on my chart.

“It’s not that bad.”

“And you’re moving. I see you’ve had a shower.”

“Moving just makes me a little tender, nothing I can’t handle.”

“I’ll keep the drip in your arm today and if you’re fine, it can come out tomorrow and you could look at going home.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, but let’s see how you do today. Do you have any other questions.”

“Just one. Can I visit my girlfriend Nova in the ICU?”

“If you have a family member that can take you in a wheelchair and you promise me you won’t spend all day there, then yes.”

“Thanks Doctor.”

“An hour or two max.”

What? That’s not long enough. But right now, I don’t have a choice and I’ll take anything.

“Any other questions?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No.”

He closes my chart, hands it back to the nurse, and looks at me. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Lincoln.”

As soon as they leave the room, I grab my phone and switch it on. I ignore the number of messages and focus on finding my brother's name.

I call him and tell him to go to my house, grab me some clothes and get his ass here asap. I explain that the doctor cleared me to see Nova.

He promises he’ll be here soon, so in the meantime, I hang up and take another nap, knowing I’ll need the strength for later.

---