Page 139 of To Love Jason Thorn

“I’m sure enough for both of us. Youwouldn’t leave his side for a moment. You made that pretty clear.” I said. “Andsave those crocodile tears for Jameson; I’m sure he’ll be happy to see how muchyou care.”

She gave me a laugh; it was shaky, but Iwould take it. “That bastard would like that, wouldn’t he? He would probablypuff out his chest and let everyone know that I cried for him.” Sighing, sheshook her head. “Go ahead and call your husband. I’ll wait right here.”

Not wanting to go too far away fromLucy, I found a quiet corner where I could still keep Lucy in sight and quicklydialed Jason’s number. It rang several times and then his voicemail picked up.I left him a short message that explained where I was and what had happened andasked him to call me back before he came charging in there. It was his friend’snight and he didn’t have that many friends around him; I didn’t want him toleave abruptly when there was nothing he could do at the hospital.

Taking my seat next to Lucy again, Ishook my head at her. “He isn’t picking up. I left him a voicemail and I’m surehe’ll get back to me when he sees it.”

We settled down in our seats and thewaiting game started.

After four hours, Jameson was out ofsurgery.

After those same four hours, there wasstill no call from Jason.

***

At 5:30 AM, I was using Lucy’s key toget into the apartment, and I was doing some major praying and begging toanyone that was listening up there that I wouldn’t come face to face withCharlotte or Marcus. When I managed to sneak into Lucy’s room without wakinganyone up, I sighed a breath of relief. I didn’t actually know if anyone washome, but to be on the safe side, I tried my best not to make any noise andpacked up a change of clothes for both Lucy and me. I left the building just asquietly as I had come in.

At that moment, I was more worried aboutnot hearing back from Jason. At first, I’d thought maybe he was angry at me fornot letting him know I was leaving with Lucy, but then I thought maybe hewasn’t angry at all but just couldn’t come to the hospital because everyonewould recognize him. I also thought that was a lame excuse.

But then, why wouldn’t he call me back?Why wouldn’t he respond to any of my voicemails? Had something happened back atthe club that I wasn’t aware of?

Maybe an earthquake had hit?

When I made it back to the hospital,Lucy was sitting exactly where I had left her.

“Any word from the doctors?” I asked asI put down the small bag on the seat in between us.”

“Still in ICU. They’ll let me know whenI can see him. I left voicemails for a few of his friends, I’m sure they’ll getdown here as soon they get it.”

“His family?”

She shook her head and finally looked atme. She looked better than before, but I could see that she was struggling tosit up straight. What a cluster fuck of a night for both of us.

“He has an aunt and a grandma, but theylive in Florida. I’m not sure if they’ll be up for the travel. I’ll let himcall them himself. Why didn’t you change your clothes back at the apartment?”

“Wasn’t sure if anyone was home.” I gaveher a half-shrug and tightened my hand on the bag’s handle. “Didn’t want torisk waking them up with the noise.”

She nodded and turned her head to thenurses station. I rubbed my eyes and rose up from my seat. “Come on, we stickout like a sore thumb in these dresses. We’ll be back in a minute.”

I guided a reluctant Lucy toward therestrooms and quickly changed into more comfortable clothes. While the leggingsand flats were actually my own stuff I had left at the apartment when I wasmoving, the baseball tee was hers and it sat a little too snug on my chest.

“How are my leggings not cutting off atyour knees?” Lucy asked once she was done changing.

“They’re not yours,” I explained with asmile. “Some of mine. I must have left them behind.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Lucy, you don’t look so good. How aboutyou rest your eyes for a few minutes while I wait to hear back from thedoctor?” She linked her arm with mine and we walked back to our seats.

“You don’t look so fine either,” shepointed out.

“Thanks. How kind of you,” I said in aflat tone and she gave me a small chuckle. I’d take that one, too. “Come on, ifthe doctor comes out, I’ll wake you.”

Once we reached our seats, Lucy noticeda doctor wearing scrubs talking to a middle-aged woman and her hand tightenedon my arm.

“It’s not the same doctor, don’t worry,”I said, patting her hand. It didn’t escape my notice that the woman was cryinga bucket of tears.

“Thank you for coming with me, Olive,”she said again as we sat back down.

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