Page 153 of Changing Rules

“We had to wait for the babysitter, but we got here as soon as we could.” Drew stops in front of me.

We’ve drawn a crowd of hospital staff. Three pro football players make the hall feel exceptionally small, plus one ridiculously loud best friend who’s still rambling about murdering Miller. Not to mention the hotshot basketball star. Makes sense we’d garner attention.

With a sigh, I turn and shuffle back to the waiting room. They all follow, and once everyone is seated, Kaden and I tell them what we know without getting into too much detail.

The girls cry while their men sit rigidly, teeth clenched and eyes murderous. They love Bella, and they only want what’s best for her.

Jess and Meg insist they won’t leave until Bella is awake. The guys swear I’m an idiot if I think they’ll leave me here waiting. It feels good knowing we have so much support. While we wait, Kaden and Bowman talk basketball and quickly bicker about who’s better: Boston or New York. After a while, I find my muscles easing a fraction, my heart knitting itself back together, just a little.

Mom and Dadwanted to come, but I asked them to hold off. The waiting room is already too crowded.

Ryan called to ask how he could help and promised he’d find the best lawyer he can. Miller needs to go to jail, and I need the best of the best to make sure it happens.

I didn’t pick up Audrey’s phone call, but she left a voicemail. Maybe I could look past her antics if she’d apologized to Bella, but at this point, I worry it’s too late. She’s shown no remorse.

I’m coming back from taking yet another call when a young woman steps out from the nurses’ station and calls my name.

I pull up short, my heart suddenly pounding again. “Is something wrong?”

“No.” She gives me a reassuring smile. “Your girlfriend is awake, and she wants to see you.”

“Thank you.” I bolt straight to Bella’s room, but at the closed door, I force myself to stop and take a few deep breaths. I knock, then ease it open and find her sitting up, looking out the window. She looks so peaceful and calm, even with all the bruises and the swelling.

I have to blink away my tears as I frantically catalog every injury: a bandage on her head, another on her swollen nose, a huge dark blue bruise on her right cheek, the split lip, the bandage on her wrist.

Damn, baby. I would’ve traded places with you in a heartbeat if it meant you’d never have to experience something like that.

“Hey you.” I crawl into bed with her, gently wrapping my arm around her shoulder.

“Hey,” she says quietly, the tiniest smile playing on her lips. She wiggles closer and slots her head beneath my chin.

“How are you?”

“The doctor said I’m fine, but they want to keep me overnight. I have a mild concussion, but?—”

“But nothing. You’re staying,” I whisper, hiding my nose in her hair. “And I’m staying too.”

“I figured as much.” Her voice is raspy. I can only imagine it has something to do with the fingerlike bruises on her neck.

“I’m so sorry, baby.” My voice is thick with emotion, and I’m struggling to breathe. “I should’ve been there.”

She hums. “It’s not your fault. How could you have known he’d show up today?”

“Still. It kills me to know what?—”

“Xander.” She turns her head and nuzzles my throat. “I’ll be okay, I promise. Just be with me, please. There’s nothing I want more than you.”

“I’ll never leave you. Ever.”

“Good.” She sighs, her body sagging. “The nurse said there’s a crowd out there waiting. Are our friends still here?”

“Yeah. They wanted to stick around until you woke up, and I don’t think Kaden has any intention of leaving until you do.”

She stiffens a little in my hold and clutches my shirt at the small of my back. “I-I want to see them, but at the same time, I don’t. At least, not right now. For now, I want it to just be me and you.”

“Whatever you want.” I hug her closer.

My love for her is my weakness, but at the same time, it’s my strength. I’d do anything for her.

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