Page 29 of Accidental Love

“You have three bruised ribs and one cracked,” the nurse said, moving to grab what I thought was my gauze. I spared a glance down and almost gasped out loud. The whole right side was black and purple already. It was swollen, as was the other side, but not as bad.

“There is nothing we can really do but let it heal. So I am going to wrap you up, and every day for the next few weeks you need to do so as well. Don’t try to move your waist too much or it will hurt more and possibly crack the rib even more. Right now you don’t need a brace, but you may have to have one when you leave.” She got to work and wrapped something white and thick all around my ribs and chest. I barely glanced at her as I looked back at Liam’s room.

Five minutes later, she was done. My waist was bandaged up really well, and I could barely move it or bend forward.

“Is there anyone we can call?” she asked, pulling away from me. I numbly nodded yes and rattled off Lilly’s number. I had no idea where my phone was, but thankfully I had memorized her and Julie’s numbers. Before I had a cell phone I had to and I still did just in case; and in this case it was a good idea on my part.

“Okay, I will go call them. I just sent someone to get you some ice. They will be back to help hook you up with it. Don’t move, okay? I will be back in a minute.” She gave me a firm look before going to call Liam’s parents. All I wanted to do was jump up and go see Liam. But, instead, I heeded the nurse’s advice and stayed put, never looking away from his room. Maybe it was because I was still in shock or too worried about Liam, but I wasn’t feeling any pain. And I didn’t want stupid medicine making me sleepy when Liam needed me. I could deal with the pain once it surfaced.

As the nurse had mentioned, a girl who looked to be Julie’s age came in with a huge package of ice. I could tell she was an intern as she nervously wrapped the ice above my left side, the worse side. I briefly thanked her before left the room. Just as she did, the nurse came back.

“They are on their way.” Before she could say anything else, I saw the doctor and some nurses leave Liam’s room. I stood up fully and took a step forward. “I will let you go in there if you promise to let me give you some medicine for the pain and swelling.”

I readily agreed, only wanting to see Liam. Thankfully she didn’t make me have an IV for the time being. I usually hated needles, but I barely felt anything as she poked me with multiple ones, injecting medicine into me.

“You can go now,” she said, and before she finished I was already moving toward his room. There was nothing else but me as I weaved around people to get to Liam. His name was like a chant in my head as I got closer. I silently begged God that he would be okay.

Moving past the curtain, I came to a stop in front of a hospital bed. Liam looked so small and pale laying in the bed now dressed in a hospital gown. His eyes were closed, his body still. A big bandage was wrapped around his head, and I noticed his left arm was in plaster and hanging above him in a sling.

“Liam,” I choked out. I went around to his right side, tears making their way down my cheeks. Not caring about my bandaged hand, I gripped his right hand with mine. “Oh, Liam.” A sob got stuck in my throat.

“Liam, please wake up! You can’t do this to me, okay? I love you, I love you so much, so you have to wake up,” I cried, clenching his hand. He still didn’t move a muscle, making me cry harder. With my free hand, I ran it down the side of his pale face. His stubble tickled my fingers as I came to his jaw.

“This wasn’t part of the deal! I didn’t agree to this, Liam. I don’t care about the money anymore, okay? I don’t. I just want you to be okay. Please be okay. Damn it! This wasn’t a part of the deal.” I sobbed, ducking my chin to my chest.

“This wasn’t part of the deal,” I said again. As I cried, I didn’t realize the curtain behind me had opened until a low voice spoke.

“Wasn’t part of the deal?”

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