Page 169 of Ice Mechanic

“Don’t leave,” I whisper brokenly. “Please don’t leave.”

“I’m not going far, April. I’m just letting the doctor know you woke up.”

Who said that?

That voice doesn’t belong to Chance.

The fog clears from my mind and I look up in shock. Instead of falling into heart-stopping blue eyes and a mischievous, white-toothed smile, I see Evan’s weasel-like face.

“Evan?” I croak.

“I’m here, April.”

I realize I’m still clutching the hem of his shirt and I throw it away like I’m touching something radioactive.

Where am I? The ceiling bears a harsh, fluorescent light. Gone are my bedroom curtains and the tissue papers on the floor. My dark comforters disappeared too. Instead, I’m in a hospital cot and wearing a loose hospital gown.

“I’ll be right back.” Evan nods at me and then disappears.

I lie in the silence, stewing in thought. Was what happened in the garage reality? Did I faint for no reason? And what about Chance? Did I evenhavethe flu?

Harried footsteps explode in the hallway.

The door whirrs back.

Rebel shrieks. “April!”

May sighs. “Oh, thank God!”

I brace myself as Rebel and May descend on me. My best friend checks me over while my sister grabs my hand with tears in her eyes.

“I’m so glad you’re up,” May wails. “I was so scared.”

“Ladies, please give the patient some space.” A spritely, older man with wispy white hair and glasses enters the room.

Rebel and May both obey and take a tiny step back.

“W-what happened?” I ask, struggling to sit up.

To my surprise, Evan bounces over and fluffs my pillows. “You were rushed to the hospital after getting carbon monoxide poisoning. You’ve been unconscious for three days.”

“Three days!” I blanch.

Evan’s bottom lip trembles and then he bursts out laughing. “No, it hasn’t been long, but I’ve always wanted to be the boyfriend of a coma patient.”

I wish I had a wrench so I could smack him.

“Why is Evan here?” May says harshly.

Rebel folds her arms over her chest. “I literally left for one second. Who let you in?”

“I heard April was rushed to the hospital, so I ran over.”

My brain is so confused.

I ignore everyone and focus on the doctor. “You’re saying I got carbon monoxide poisoning and I’ve just been here. In the hospital. Unconscious?”

“That’s right.” The doctor nods. “Your friend called an ambulance. You were unconscious for about an hour.”

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