Page 77 of Pretend for Me

While Dr. Torres hadn’t gone so far as to basically assure me Matthew was going to pull through, he had sounded optimistic about the odds of him making a full recovery, so why was I so scared? I was traumatized. I couldn’t help but think that this was all too good to be true. That my chance at a happily ever after would be yanked away from me yet again.

For hours, I sat there, taking in the IVs, machines, and staff coming in and out. As Dr. Torres had told me, they eased up on the medication keeping Matthew asleep. The sun fell low in the sky as the day dragged on. Audrey had texted me she was going home to feed the cats and would be back soon with some dinner. My stomach growled and I realized I hadn’t eaten all day. Not that it mattered. Not if I couldn’t do it with Matthew.

Over the course of the day, I had been psyching myself up to just hold onto Matthew, to have tangible proof that he was still here, still fighting. I prayed for strength, for both of us.

Gently, as if touching a broken piece of glass, I grasped his hand in mine.

As I touched him, Matthew’s body jolted in response to my touch.

“Matty, please wake up. I love you,” I pleaded. I’d just gotten him back. Our time wasn’t supposed to be up so soon.

Moments passed and aside from that one small reaction, he lay perfectly still. I felt the walls closing in on me in the sterile, white hospital room. My shoulders sagged in defeat, a lone tear trailing down my cheek.

The next thing I knew, monitors started going wild, beeping incessantly, and Matthew’s fingers fluttered in mine. His grip grew stronger as they tightened around me.

Green eyes flew open. Wild and confused.

Awake and most importantly, alive.

41

CASSIE

“Oh my god, and can you believe he was a veterinarian overseas. He said he was called to help the ignored animals that were displaced because of war. But then he saw the human carnage, so Henry came back to the US and went back to school to become a trauma surgeon. I mean how amazing is that?! We were talking and he told me cats are his favorite. I’m telling you, Cassie, he’s perfect. Move overMcDreamy. Hello, McKitty.” Audrey giggled.

In the time I had known Audrey, I had never seen her so obsessed with a guy. I was happy my friend was happy. If anyone deserved something good in her life, it was Audrey.

“So you mean to tell me that the person who operated on Matthew,myMatthew, is a vet?” I gasped in horror, holding back a laugh because I was only half joking. Henry must have been properly qualified and licensed to practice medicine on humans, otherwise the hospital wouldn’t have allowed him in the operating room.

“Yeah, it’s amazing I’m still here,” Matthew chimed in, grinning from ear to ear.

My face fell and my stomach flipped. While Matthew’s remark was meant as a joke, I couldn’t help my reaction. I was still very much traumatized with how close of a call it was. Matthew must’ve sensed my discomfort because he squeezed my hand, reassuringly. I smiled at him, lovingly.

“He’s an excellent surgeon.” Audrey huffed, crossing her arms like a petulant child.

Over the last week of Matthew’s hospital stay, Audrey had gotten close to Dr. Torres. Or Henry as he insisted on being called. Very close. There were hushed whispers, text messages, and cafeteria lunches. They were practically joined at the hip. Audrey even told us that she had told him about Olivia, which was huge. It had taken her years to open up to me about her daughter.

Audrey sighed, uncrossing her arms, and smiled at us.

“Oh Audrey is in love,” Matthew sang, sitting up in the hospital bed, poorly hiding a wince. “How’s Rocky?” he inquired, giving Audrey a break from the teasing.

Audrey had taken him to her apartment while Matthew was in the hospital. Matthew was being released today, but Audrey decided she’d keep Rocky an extra day so we could get settled at home before having a dog underfoot.

“He’s perfect, cuddling with Oreo constantly. I don’t think he’s going to want to go home,” she warned. “Charlie called this morning.” Audrey broached the subject of our foster sister, looking at me hesitantly.

My eyes narrowed and my nostrils flared at the mention of Charlie. In the days since the shooting, my anger over Charlie’s carelessness had only grown. Thankfully, she had the good sense to stay out of sight. Unfortunately, the concept of “out of sight, out of mind” didn’t work because every time I saw Matthew lying in that hospital bed, I was reminded of the person who had helped put him there.

“Oh yeah?” Matthew asked, his eyes widening at Audrey over my reaction. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the theatrics.

Audrey nodded. “She calls me or Bridget every day for updates.”

I huffed to myself and held my tongue. I had no idea what Charlie was playing at, acting like she cared all of a sudden. Matthew and Audrey exchanged a glance. I was still so angry at Charlotte. While Matthew wanted to hear her story, I refused to even take her calls. I barely wanted to hear her name. After all, she was the reason Matthew was shot. She brought that monster into his world. I had been trying to take a nap in the chair in Matthew’s room a few days ago, and I’d overheard a whispered discussion between Audrey and Matthew where she told him that Charlie had gone to the police to turn Derek in. I thought it was probably just a way for her to save her ass, and I couldn’t care less about her cooperating with them.

“That was nice of her,” Matthew commented, taking a deep breath.

“Yeah, real nice,” I muttered. Now I was the one crossing my arms like a petulant child.

Matthew reached out to grab my hand and give it a squeeze. We stared into each other’s eyes, and my shoulders softened as I saw the love there.

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