Page 81 of Here In Your Arms

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this Wesley Graves?”

“This is.”

“Hi, my name is Carmen. I’m calling on behalf of Aurora Tomlinson.”

“Rory? Wha-Is she okay?”

Kyle snaps his gaze up and those words and stares intently at me. I raise my eyes up to meet his as the woman on the other end of the phone explains to me that Rory is in the observation unit asking for me and Kyle. I’m not sure if I respond to her, but the next thing I know my phone is in my pocket and I’m bolting to the door with Kyle as I pull my shirt back on.

We race to the hospital, Kyle gets us there in record time, and we race through the halls as fast as reasonable. We understand that flat out sprinting isn’t a read idea, but this is no leisurely walk either. Finally there’s a station in front of us. I have no idea if that’s a nurse working or someone else, but they better have answers. The woman working the desk is around our age, a few piercings lining her ears. She looks up at us, cocking an eyebrow in displeasure.

“Can I help you gentleman with something? You are not the only ones with loved ones you know. Some respect would do you well.”

“Please, we got a call that our girl is in observation. Can you tell us how to get to that unit?” I ask, breathless.

She nods, somehow looking like she’s disapproving while still kind. A moment later, after validating our information, we have a room and directions. Stopping in the doorway of her room, my heart sinks when I see her lying in the bed, her face bruised on one side.

“What the fuck?” Kyle chokes out.

My hands fly up to my head and I pull at my hair. We should have waited for her. We should have never left her alone. Kyle and I each take a side and hold a hand. I’m in love with this girl and I wish this hadn’t happened to get me to admit it. She stirs not long after we take her hands in ours. Rory’s eyes flutter open and her face twists in confusion before recognition lights them.

“You came,” she says weakly.

I pull her hand up to my mouth and kiss it. “Of course we did.”

Her head slowly turns to Kyle, and he gives her a smile and brushes some hair gently away from her face. She smiles back before slowly blinking, her eyes filling with tears.

“I’m sorry,” she says softly, tears escaping.

“For what? You didn’t do anything wrong,” I say.

“I should have taken him more seriously. I shouldn’t have dismissed him like that.”

“Who?”

“Nathan.”

“He did this?” Kyle all but growls.

“Yeah,” she admits before starting to fade back into sleep.

“It’s okay, baby, we’ll talk when you’re better,” I assure her.

Kyle looks over at me, fury in his eyes at the situation. I know he feels as helpless as I do, and just as guilty. We should have trusted our instincts and waited. Instead, we were too worried about being clingy and let that dictate our actions. Never again. Going forward, we’re going to listen to our instincts and work with Rory to make sure she’s being smart and safe. Not a minute after she starts to fade, a nurse comes into the room to check on her.

“She couldn’t tell us much before she drifted off again. What are her injuries?” I ask, knowing Kyle is still trying to reel his emotions in.

The nurse looks between us, trying to decide if she should tell us anything.

“I don’t think I can tell you anything without her permission unless you’re listed as someone who can receive her medical information.”

“You can tell them. S’okay.” Rory says softly from the bed.

“I thought you were out. Sorry if we woke you,” I tell her.

“Was just resting my eyes,” she replies without opening them, a slight smile peeking through.

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