Page 53 of Rival Hearts

JETT

Jett wasn’t sure how long the hospital wanted to keep her there. She had talked to several doctors, but none of them could give her a release plan. They wanted to keep an eye on her after her surgery, even though aside from a bit of a headache and a new scar, she felt mostly fine.

Jett had already been at the hospital a full day since she had awoken, and a nurse was supposed to come by soon to take her to do a CT scan. During visiting hours, Jett often had family in her room, and she was happy to be surrounded by so many people who loved and cared for her.

The door to her room opened and it was Lucinda. She was as immaculate as ever in her heels and pencil skirt with her perfect long wavy dark hair.

Lucinda had been working extra to cover for Riley as Riley had barely left Jett’s side.

“I can come and help in the ER if you need it,” Riley said to Lucinda.

Lucinda shook her head. “Nonsense,” she said. “I’ve got everything under control. You just take care of your girl.”

Riley smiled. “Are you sure?”.

“Absolutely,” Lucinda said. “Just if ever Becky is in the hospital, promise me you’ll take over for me.”

“Deal,” Riley said immediately and gave Lucinda a relieved smile, “and thank you so much.”

“Of course,” Lucinda said. “What else are friends for? Besides, at this point, you’re practically family.” Lucinda looked pointedly to where Riley had her hand atop Jett’s.

Riley blushed and smiled and Lucinda laughed.

“Or are we still pretending to be friends?” Lucinda raised an eyebrow and looked pointedly at Jett.

“I realize I was dumb doing that, and very unfair to Riley and I’m sorry for that,” Jett sighed and confessed. “Riley is the best thing that has ever happened to me, I was just too afraid to admit it. Even to myself.”

“I’m so glad you found someone,” Lucinda said. “Both of you. I think you two are going to be good together. I can sense it.”

Jett smiled.

“So, any updates on your care yet?” Lucinda asked.

“Not a whole lot,” Jett said, “but they’re taking me back for a CT scan sometime soon to see how well my funky little brain is healing.”

“That’s good,” Lucinda said. “I’m glad they’re taking care of you or I’d be fighting some doctors.”

Jett laughed. “I think Riley would beat you to it.”

Lucinda laughed. “Probably. Or we could both take turns.”

Riley laughed and shook her head. “I promise, Jett is being well taken care of,” she said. “Besides, not to brag, but we have a great hospital and staff here.”

“True,” Lucinda said with a nod as Jett’s nurse came into the room. There had been so many nurses coming and going that Jett couldn’t really remember any of their names, but this one was an absolute sweetheart.

“Nice to see you, Katherine,” Riley said. “You here to take Jett for her CT?”

“Sure am,” the nurse, Katherine, said, and Jett was so glad that Riley seemed to have a knack for knowing pretty much everyone at the hospital and inadvertently reminding her of the nurse’s name.

“In that case, I’ll be leaving you two,” Lucinda said, “but I’ll come by later.” Lucinda checked her phone.

“Oh, Becky said that the family will be coming over around supper time, so if you want any requests that aren’t hospital food, let her know and she’ll whip something up before they come over.”

“I’ve been craving salt and vinegar chips,” Jett said. “Can you ask them to bring some for me?” She looked at Riley before handing her her phone. “And hold onto this for me?”

“Of course,” Riley said, taking the phone before opening her own phone to presumably text the group chat. Jett was kind of nervous to leave her phone, but she knew she wouldn’t need it when she got the scan and she trusted Riley to keep it safe.

As Katherine began to unhook Jett from everything so that she could wheel the bed out, Jett heard the phone buzz and watched as Riley looked at her screen and let out a short laugh.

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