Page 46 of Marry Your Best Friend

As he calls it out, I’m taking in Gabe’s closed eyes. His lips are tinted blue, his face is pale, and he has burn marks on his arms. I rush to him as they’re taking him inside. I grab his hand. “Gabe, I’m here. I’m right here with you.”

He doesn’t move. He doesn’t flinch or make a sound, and I try not to freak out. I have to remind myself to breathe.

They get him set up in a room. The world around me blurs as I focus solely on him and on the steady rise and fall of his chest. I assist as much as they’ll let me while the doctors bring in an X-ray machine to take pictures of his chest to find out exactly how bad his smoke inhalation is. King stands beside me the whole time, and he whispers to me, “The others are here. I’m going to go bring them in.”

This is the ICU, and there is only supposed to be one visitor in here, but I’m not going to worry myself with the hospital rules. King can figure that out, and I feel sorry for anyone that tries to go against his wishes.

I hover over Gabe, trying to will him to wake up. The doctor reassures me that the fluids and oxygen will help, that he just needs time, but I’m impatient. I need to see his eyes and to hear his voice so I know he’s going to be okay.

My family all gathers in the room, and I wave or nod at them, but I don’t leave Gabe’s side. It feels like hours, but it’s only minutes that go by. The hospital director comes in at one point. “I’m sorry, but the hospital policy only allows one visitor in the ICU.”

King shakes his head. “We’re not leaving. Whenhe’s awake, we’ll leave Chrissy with him, but not until he’s awake.”

“But—” Dr. Paxton starts, and King doesn’t let her finish. “I’m sorry. When my brother wakes up, he needs to see his whole family is here for him. Then we’ll go.”

She wants to argue with him, but finally she nods her head. “Okay.” She looks at me. “Let us know if we can do anything.”

My friend Bethany comes in a little later and hugs me, asking me if I need anything.

It’s not long after she’s gone that Gabe finally grips my hand. My heart leaps in my chest, and I lean down. “I’m here, Gabe. I’m right here. You’re going to be okay.”

He’s blinking, trying to focus on my face, and he commands me, “Get up here.”

I look around the room, and our family are all looking between Gabe and me, bug-eyed. “Gabe, everyone is here.”

“Woman! I don’t care. Get up here.” He pauses. “I need you.”

I’m not going to argue with him because I need him too. I climb onto the bed and lie next to him. He holds me to him.

“When can I get out of here?”

Oh man, am I going to have to argue with him to get him to stay? I brace myself to convince him. “They did an X-ray to check your lungs. They should be in with those results soon. They will probably keep you overnight.”

He’s shaking his head and tries to lift up, but I put my hand on his chest and push him down. “I’m going to stay here with you.”

He lies back down. “Okay.”

King comes forward. “We’re breaking the rules by being here. We wanted to stay until you woke up.”

The rest of our family comes toward the bed, and Gabe squeezes King’s hand. “Thank you for saving me today.”

“That was Walker.”

“No, it was you. Thank you.”

I start to cry as Holden, Cat, Cole, Haven, Luciana, and Dom all come to hold his hand, touch him, or hug him. Our family isn’t like most families, but it’s a pretty damn good one.

They all start to leave, but King hangs back. “Chrissy, you’ll call if you need anything and let us know what the doctor says?”

I nod. “Yeah, I’ll put it in the group chat.”

King leans over Gabe. “I know you’re in ahospital bed, but when you get out, me and you are going to have a talk.”

“About what?” Gabe asks him.

He gestures to me. “She’s still my baby sister.”

Gabe nods. “I know that.”

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