Page 73 of Piston

Acid’s eyes widen. “Tinker, don’t fucking bring me into this, I’ve seen Nat attack people, she fucking headbutt’s them, for fuck’s sake….”

Perrie rolls her eyes at him, and continues, “And just last week, Anchor let him behind the wheel of his truck while Steal filmed it.”

Anchor’s eyes widen, and he takes a small step back while Steal’s face goes pale, making me snort before I sigh.

Still Natalie doesn’t move.

Perrie shakes her head and sits on the edge of the bed, grabbing Nat’s hand, then whispers, “Okay, my friend, I get it; you don’t want to wake up. I know you are scared, and things are hard, but you have a family that needs you, Natty. Holly isn’t doing so well. Piston looks ready to fall apart, and Cooper, he needs you. Christy took him, Nat. She took him from camp and crashed her car, nearly killing him. He has a cast on his arm and a bruised face. He needs his sister, Natalie. He needs you….”

I stand as the machines start to beep, and Perrie gasps, looking down at their joined hands. The door to the room opens, and Cassidy rushes in.

Perrie moves out of the way, Acid wrapping his arm around her waist, his hold tightening when she tries to move away from him. Cass presses a few buttons on the machine, and then grabs her penlight, gently lifting my girl’s eyelids and examining Nat’s pupils.

“Natty, can you hear me, sweetheart? It’s Cass,” she says. “Come on, Natalie, open your eyes for me….”

I hold my breath as Natalie’s hand moves a little as Cassidy pokes her, checking her vitals.

“Come on, sweetheart. Don’t you want to wake up and have a go at me for leaving without saying goodbye?” she continues, and I bite my bottom lip. I watch with absolute relief as my girl’s eyes flutter before they open, and she takes in her surroundings. Then she looks at Cassidy, who smiles wide at her, “Well, hello there, old friend.”

Natalie coughs, then croaks, “You-you bitch….”

Cassidy giggles, a few tears falling. “That I am, but this bitch so goddamn happy to see you awake. Now, before tearing me a new one, answer me. What’s your name?”

Natalie takes a deep breath. “Natalie….”

Cassidy nods. “And who’s ass are you going to kick?”

She takes another deep breath, “M-My husband’s f-for all the-the tricks he-he pulled, and-and Anchor for-for letting my-my brother drive, and Acid f-for the knives….” She turns her head toward Perrie, who lets out a sob. Then, Natalie turns her head my way, her gorgeous, deep blue eyes connecting with mine.

I shake my head and stumble over to her before bending over, placing my head in the crook of her neck, and breathing her in as her hand grips my hair. My whole body relaxes.

“Fuck,” I croak, and her hand grips me tighter.

She’s awake, she’s back….

Now I just have to tell her about the baby, a baby she still may lose.

26

Natalie

“Okay, everyone out except for Piston, I need to speak to my patient,” Cassidy says as I take in all the wires attached to me, my mind a little hazy.

The sound of screeching of tires echoes in my head, and I squeeze my eyes tight, willing them away.

What happened?

I remember being behind the wheel, but then everything is just….

Anchor, Steal, and Acid all kiss my head before leaving while Perrie hangs on for a beat, and I remark, “T-trying t-to dodge A-Acid?”

She smiles slightly. “Always.” I nod as she comes my way, kisses my head, and then mumbles, “You’re never allowed to scare me like that again.”

“Yes, Mom,” I reply, making her snort.

As soon as the door is shut, Cassidy’s doctor mode kicks in. “Okay, Natty." Well, it kind of kicks in. "First thing’s first, what do you remember?”

I blink, trying hard to remember, and rasp, “I-I remember the sound of screeching tires. I-I was behind the wheel, and then there was-was a loud crash….”

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