Page 50 of Playboy

“No,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I... I don’t know what to ask.”

And that was the truth. She didn’t know where to start or how to begin processing a future without the one thing she had always relied on—her body, her strength, her legs.

Right now, she wished she could go back to sleep, and when she woke up again, everything would be back to the way it was before the accident.

???

Later that evening, Playboy sat beside Gabby’s hospital bed. It was just the two of them. Her parents had left about an hour ago, telling Gabby they would be back in the morning.

The room was mostly quiet except for when her IV and monitors kicked in.

He watched her as she stared at the ceiling, her face a mix of sadness and frustration.

He couldn’t imagine what could be going through her mind. She had been pretty quiet most of the day. However, she perked up a little bit when her team showed up. They were ecstatic to see her sitting up. And she did manage to crack a small smile when they gave her one of those giant three-pound Hersey bars. But as soon as they left, she started to withdraw again.

“Tanner?” Gabby called out, her head turning in his direction. Her voice sounded a little raspy.

Playboy leaned forward. “Yeah?”

“I didn’t think to ask earlier. What happened to the men in the boat?”

Playboy hesitated as he bit the inside of the cheek. Just reliving the accident in his head angered him.

“They’re dead,” he answered. She didn’t need to know that one had initially survived the accident but died later at the hospital.

“Oh!” As she responded, her eyes widened a bit as if she was surprised.

“Who were they?”

“Last I heard, none of them had been identified yet. The FBI and DEA have taken over the case.”

She got quiet again, and he wanted to know what she was thinking. But at the same time, he didn’t want to push and upset her.

He reached out and gently caressed her cheek. “You look deep in thought. Whatcha thinking about?”

She made a noise with her mouth—like a mix of a sigh and snort.

“I think the question would be easier if you asked what I wasn’t thinking about.”

That was a fair answer.

But then he noticed her bottom lip start to quiver, and her eyes became glassy.

“Gabs, what’s wrong?” He asked, feeling concerned.

“I feel so broken,” Gabby said, her voice trembling. “I feel like I’ve lost a part of myself. How am I supposed to go on like this?”

Playboy cupped her cheek, his heart aching for her. “Gabby, you are not broken. You are one of the strongest, not to mention the bravest person I know. You’ve faced so much and come out on top. This,” he said, pointing to her leg. “This is just speedbump.”

Tears welled up in her eyes as her eyes met his. “But I’m not whole anymore, Tanner. How can you want to be with me when there are so many other women out there who are complete?”

Ahh…he thought to himself. Now he understood what was going through her mind. Playboy felt a pang of sorrow at herwords, but her question also angered him. Did she think he was that shallow? That he didn’t want to be here anymore because she was missing part of her leg? Thankfully, his brain was quick enough, and he thought before he spoke. He had to think about her state of mind and what she must be going through.

He moved closer, trapping her cheeks with both of his hands. “Gabby, look at me.”

She hesitated, then met his gaze, her blue eyes filled with pain and doubt.

“I don’t care about anyone else,” he said firmly. “You’re the one I want, the one I care about very much. You’re still the same incredible, beautiful, strong woman I fell head over heels for all those months ago. Losing a leg doesn’t change that.”

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