Page 10 of Burning for the Truth

“But is he going to make it?” I ask and hold my breath until Sterling answers me.

“It looks like it from what they’ve told us so far, but like I said, his injuries aren’t a walk in the park,” Sterling answers as he glances over his shoulder to where Dean’s parents, Beck and Mallory Warren, sit waiting for another update on their only son.

Two hours pass, and somehow, I’ve lulled myself into numb silence. I refuse to move from this very spot until I know without a doubt Dean is going to survive. If I get my way, I’ll see him with my own eyes too.

Sterling sits beside me with Ivie at his side. Beck and Mallory sit across the room in silence as well. This waiting room is a smaller, more private one. Still, we may as well be oceans apart. No one has spoken for an entire hour. I keep staring at the clock as the seconds tick by.

I begged to see Drew, but they wouldn’t allow it. They said it would be an image I could never unsee. To be honest, I’m not sure Sterling would’ve allowed me to see him if the hospital staff and doctors hadn’t already said no.

In my heart, I know they’re right to keep me away. I’m sure the sight of him right now would crush what little pieces are left of my soul. But I can’t help but feel like I’m letting him down somehow by not forcing my way to him. He wouldn’t let anyone stop him from seeing me if the roles were reversed.

Finally, Dr. Boyd strides through the doors to the waiting room and Dean’s parents stand, as well as Sterling. I want to, but I don’t for fear I’ll fall to my knees again, depending on what news is coming. “Dean is in recovery. He’s got a tough road ahead of him, but he was lucky. He has a broken leg, and his shoulder was almost ripped from its socket, not to mention he had the pick end of his Halligan lodged in his arm below the shoulder. We had to do some tedious cleanup in the area, but with intense therapy, I feel he’ll regain most all normal use of his arm. A broken leg will take time to heal, followed by therapy for it as well.” He pauses before continuing. “He also has some burns down the left side of his body. They’ll heal, but it’ll be painful and will leave scarring. As soon as they move him to a room, I’ll let you know.” He shakes Beck’s hand and then Sterling’s before patting Mallory on her shoulder and turning his sad, knowing gaze to me.

Dr. Boyd leaves the room as the Warrens talk quietly to Sterling through relieved tears. I slip out of the room, making the excuse I need to walk for a moment. I catch up to Dr. Boyd.

“I can’t allow it, Briella,” Dr. Boyd interjects as soon as he notices my presence. He reaches a nurses’ station and turns to face me. Dr. Boyd has worked at Greendale Med for years. His son is Jake Boyd who owns theGreendale Press. Jake graduated with Sterling and Dean.

Needless to say, Dr. Boyd has known all of us forever. But it appears it doesn’t matter for what I’m about to ask. “Please, Dr. Boyd. I need to see him,” I say as a tear falls down my cheek.

“Briella, what good can come of you seeing him now? It will hurt you more, trust me,” he says as kindly as possible.

“Because he would do the same if it were me in there,” I answer with conviction and stand a little taller.

Dr. Boyd looks me over, considering his reply. “His parents are on their way. So, you have five minutes.”

He escorts me to a room with the lights turned down. He waits as I open the door. “I’ll wait right here. But remember what I said.” The expression on his face says no, but he knows I made a valid argument, and he knows I don’t give up easily.

I see the bed, blurred by tears, and close the door behind me. Before I move, I take a few deep breaths to try and steady my shaking frame as Drew’s handsome smile floats through my mind. I brace myself for seeing the man I love one last time and somehow managing to say goodbye.

When I step back into the waiting room, no doubt looking worse than when I entered the first time, Ivie is alone. “Bree, are you okay?” she asks upon seeing me. Her face is drawn in concern. Her brows are furrowed as she takes me in, and her face is pale.

“I needed some air. Where is everyone?” I ask quietly.

“Dean’s parents were in with him for a bit until he woke up. Then Sterling went in to see him. He’s been in there for about thirty minutes. His parents went to grab coffee. They couldn’t tell him about…” She blanches and trails off before mentioning Drew.

“I see. Well, can you take me back to your house? I need to get my car and go home.” I have my shoulders pushed back and my chin held high. My face may tell a different story, but my body says I can take whatever punch I’m thrown. I have to, for Drew.

“I can. But maybe you should consider staying with us tonight, so you’re not alone,” Ivie offers sweetly, a gentle smile lifting her lips. I know she’s trying to help, but I don’t want to be around anyone right now. I flash her a small smile in return without answering. We walk down the hall a bit to where Sterling is with Dean in his room. She slips in for a moment to tell him we’re leaving.

About forty minutes later we arrive back at their house. I pull my keys out and head for my car. “Bree?” Ivie asks as she watches me through narrowed eyes.

“I can’t, Ivie. I need time,” I manage to get out before reaching my car. She doesn’t try to stop me, which I’m grateful for. I need some time to myself to try and absorb what happened. I’m sure she understands as much as she can without having been in my shoes. But it won’t stop Sterling from ultimately breaching my privacy. Ivie won’t be able to hold him off forever. My brother is a very persistent man.

I don’t go straight home. I drive for a couple hours before parking at Greendale Med again. I’m not sure why I’m here other than I need to see Dean with my own eyes, like I promised myself earlier. I need totouchhim…and I always get my way.

I have several missed calls from Sterling. I’m sure he’s losing his mind with worry over me right now. I’ll call him back tomorrow. It’s two thirty in the morning; he should be sleeping. Still, I know he isn’t, and he won’t until he knows I’m okay.

I exit my car and notice the parking lot is sparse compared to earlier, mostly filled with staff and family members who are staying with patients. I hope no one is in Dean’s room or tries to stop me from seeing him.

I absently make my way to where his room is; Ivie showed it to me earlier. The hall is quiet, and I spy a nurse enter a room further down from Dean’s. I stop at his door and glance in the window to see if his parents stayed.

Thankfully, his room is empty. I turn the handle silently and slip inside. Much to my relief, this room is quite the opposite of the one I visited earlier. It’s filled with machines beeping and its occupant’s chest rises and falls as he breathes. I feel instant relief at the sight.

I step closer to the bed, first glancing at the monitors telling me he’s alive. I see his heart rate and oxygen levels. Only then do I glance at the actual man lying in the bed before me. I can see his eyes dart beneath his lids. I can’t help but wonder what he’s dreaming. After what he’s been through, I’m sure it’s nothing happy.

I’m about to take his hand in mine for a moment, simply to touch him and make sure I’m not dreaming myself, when suddenly he calls my name. “Briella.”

It’s the briefest whisper and it’s startling. I jump and search his face; it’s uninjured. He doesn’t appear to be wearing a hospital gown. His torso is bare and his left shoulder his wrapped. His leg is in a cast, and I can see evidence of burns on the left side of his torso, like Dr. Boyd mentioned earlier.

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