Page 68 of Hook Up

“I’m going to get better, right?”

“Of course you are. You’re Ryder Gray.”

“Your voice is trembling. Gigi, don’t lie to me. It’s bad, isn’t it?”

Stroking my hand across his scalp, I press kisses to his forehead and tell him the only truth I know. “We don’t know yet. But they’re doing everything they can to find out.”

“You’ll stay, right? Don’t leave me alone.”

The undercurrent of fear in his voice breaks me. “I can’t go with you to the procedure, but I’ll be in the waiting room. I won’t leave you.”

“Promise?”

“I promise. I’m here.” I mean it, too. There’s no way I’ll leave his side now, not as long as he needs my help. It doesn’t matter who he’s in love with. Ryder Gray is my childhood friend, and I’ll be damned if he spends one second thinking he’s alone in this world. “Transport is here to take you for the testing. What should I tell everyone in the waiting room? Greg and Colton are both worried sick.”

I don’t mention Mandi. Ryder must know she’s there.

“Tell them the truth. I’m not done fighting, not by a long shot.” His fingers tighten around mine, pulling me closer. “I wanted to win for you.”

I lean my forehead against his; the tears dripping off my nose. “You’re always a winner to me, Ryder.”

His hands grip my face, his breath hot against my skin. “I want to see your beautiful face, Gigi. If I see nothing else, I want to see you. Just you.”

The tears fall in earnest now, sliding over his hands. “You will. Don’t you give up.”

“Promise you’ll be here when I’m done?”

Pressing a kiss to his palm, I nod against his hand. “I promise.”

As they wheel him out, the apprehension lines his face. Gone is the superstar facade, replaced with a man terrified by the thought of his future.

I have one job now—to protect him at all costs.

The moment I enter the waiting area, his mother rushes over, pulling me into a tight embrace. She must have just arrived at the hospital. “How is he?”

“He’s awake and talking. Moving all of his limbs.” I pause as Colton, Greg, and Mandi edge closer. Might as well fill everyone in at the same time. Let them know Ryder has only begun to fight. “He’s lucid but scared. When he woke up, he couldn’t see.”

A collective gasp rises from the group.

“It’s what is known as traumatic optic neuropathy.”

“Will he regain his vision?” Mandi inquires, her face drawn.

Under normal circumstances, I’d claw her eyes out, so she could experience blindness firsthand. But that was before. Now, I only want to care for the man we both love. He begged me to stay. I made him a promise, one I intend to keep.

“They aren’t sure. They’re running tests to determine the extent of the damage. We’ll know more later. Often, this type of thing resolves on its own.”

Ryder’s mother dissolves into tears, and I stroke her back, trying to offer a modicum of reassurance. Better if everyone sheds their tears now, because Ryder will need all their strength in the coming days.

After what feels like an eternity, a new doctor, a neuro ophthalmologist, appears. The initial diagnosis stands, but they’re hopeful he might regain partial vision over time.

At this point, it’s anyone’s guess. The awful waiting game where the reach of medicine is overruled by the laws of nature.

The plan is high-dose steroids, with the possibility of surgery in the next couple of days, if he shows no improvement.

The doctor’s words bring about another rash of tears from the group, save for me, who’s desperate to return to Ryder’s side. It’s not that the temptation to break down isn’t there, but what good will that do him? Ryder needs me to keep it together so he can fall apart. Then I’ll put him back together, piece by piece.

Rushing to his bedside, I press my lips to his cheek, noting the slight smile at my caress. I’ll give it to the man. He’s stoic in the face of the unknown, his features a sea of calm. It might also be the effects of the sedative. “You spoke with the doctor?” he inquires.

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