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The nurse’s face softens, clearly seeing something on my face. “Down the hall and on the right; room two hundred and sixty-three. You didn’t hear it from me, though.”

I do my best to smile at her, but I don’t feel like I have it in me. I’m doing my best not to fall apart. “Thank you.”

I find it easily, but I hesitate, knocking quietly on the door before opening it. “Thalia?”

The lighting is dim, allowing me to see she’s lying on her back, looking out the window at the night sky. Lia’s arm is in a sling, resting on her chest as the monitors behind her on the wall connect to her body. “Bash? How…I asked to see you, but they told me no visitors until morning?”

“Is it okay that I’m here? I needed to see you, but I can go if you want to rest.” I’m being so goddamn selfish right now, but I was suffocating in that room.

“Get your butt over here,” she instructs, offering me her hand. I don’t hesitate for a second to pull a chair quietly next to Thalia’s bed, pressing a kiss to the center of her palm.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, scanning over Lia’s features to commit every part of her to memory. Her face is clean of blood, but the red color has stained her blonde hair on the side of her face with the bandage. I’ll never take a moment with her for anything other than a fucking miracle.

“It looks worse than it feels. My head hurts, and I’m tired, but everyone keeps telling me I can’t sleep. I feel better now that you’re here,” Lia says sweetly, carefully brushing my hair off my forehead. The simple act causes tears to burn in my eyes.

“I thought I was going to lose you,” I whisper hoarsely, the admission ripping my strength to shreds.

“Never. You’re stuck with me, Sebastian Walker.”

“Promise?”

“Pinky promise,” she says, offering her pinky to me as I curl mine around hers. The simplicity of the moment cracks my heart wide open, my tears openly falling. I don’t know what I’d do if Thalia was the one hit by the car instead of Owen.

“I love you.”

She shifts in the bed, grimacing as her sling moves too. “I love you too. I’m okay, Bash. We’re going to be okay.”

“Are you in pain?” I ask, watching Thalia’s face closely.

“No, the meds are helping. I’m exhausted, though,” she says, patting the bed next to her. “There’s plenty of room for you; I’m not going to break.”

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to hold her, if only to reassure myself that she’s actually okay, but I feel guilty for being here when I’m not supposed to be. It doesn’t feel fair to Blake, Thalia’s parents, or Penelope. I’m not the only person worried about her. “I know you won’t break—you’re tough as nails, Lia. I hate to leave you, but I probably do need to get back to the waiting room. I left while the surgeon was giving an update about Owen.”

“Stay, please,” Lia says quietly. “The nurse who keeps checking on me to make sure I haven’t died from this stupid concussion is giving me updates. She popped in a few minutes before you did, letting me know his condition is critical, but he’ll live. He’s going to be okay, and unless you’re a doctor, there’s nothing you can do in that waiting room for them.” She sighs, patting the bed again. “Please, Bash.”

I cave instantly, slipping off my dress shoes to climb into the hospital bed. Thalia immediately positions herself carefully against my chest, minding her broken arm stuck in the sling.

My arms immediately wrap around her torso, and I kiss the top of her head. “I’m going to buy you enough flowers to fill your room, and every single damn room in this building. I haven’t been buying them for you enough.”

“Bash, you buy me plenty of flowers. I still have the last bouquet on my dresser,” she says, yawning while shifting her head so it rests in the crook of my neck.

“I don’t care. You’re the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“I love you,” Thalia murmurs before her breathing steadies. I focus on the rhythm, not letting my own eyes drift shut for fear of seeing the accident again. I won’t let her restlong, but having been through concussion protocol before, twenty minutes won’t hurt her.

I love her more than life itself.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Thalia

I’M LIVID.

I want to see my brother but the doctors don’t think it’s a good idea—some bullshit about how I need my rest. I kept my shit together with Bash while I was in the hospital because I could tell that’s what he needed, but I really just want to see my brother.

So instead of being at the hospital with Owen, I’m at home worried out of my mind. How bad could he be hurt if he’s still there? The gallery is closed for the time being until I’m back on my feet, and Penelope is watching over me like a hawk whenever Sebastian is at the hospital or practice.

I literally can’t even pee in privacy without one of them feeling the need to walk me to the bathroom. I broke my left arm, not my right arm. I’m capable of wiping myself.

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