Page 76 of A Perfect Match
I hang up, turning to the others with wide eyes."Mom's awake."
Bella screams, covering her mouth with her hands.“Are you serious?That's amazing!"She immediately wraps me in a hug."Let's go!"
"Yes.Let’s fucking go,” I tell her, already gathering my things."I'll meet you there."
Bella and Jackson hurry out, promising to see me at the hospital.I turn to Kru, who's watching me with a huge smile.
"That’s incredible news," he says.“I’m so fucking happy to hear it.”
"It really is."I'm practically vibrating with a mixture of relief and excitement."I need to get to the hospital."
"Of course."He helps me gather my cleaning supplies."Do you want me to drive you?You seem a little wobbly."
I consider it for a moment, tempted by the offer, but shake my head."Thanks, but I should go on my own.My brothers will all be there and…" I trail off, not needing to finish the thought.
"Right."His face falls slightly."Text me later, okay?Let me know how she's doing.Howyou’redoing."
"I will."I hesitate, then impulsively rise on tiptoes to press a quick kiss to his lips."Thank you.For everything."
His hands catch my waist, holding me there for a moment longer."Anytime, Maven."
It’s still nice enough this time of year to be biking instead of driving, so I race outside to hop on my bike.The ride to the hospital is a blur of stop signs and my own racing thoughts.Mom's awake.After five days of uncertainty and fear, she's finally awake.The relief is so overwhelming, I’m streaming tears for the second half of the ride to the hospital.
I find Asher, Dane, Jett, and Bella already clustered around Mom's bed when I arrive.Griffin is apparently on his way.Mom herself is sitting up slightly, looking pale and tired but undeniably awake.
"Piper," she says when she spots me, her voice hoarse.
"Mom!"I rush to the bed, carefully embracing her."Oh my god, this is the best day of my life.You’re awake!”
"So they tell me," she says with a weak attempt at a smile."Though I feel like I've been hit by a truck.On the inside."
"Smoke inhalation and burns will do that to you," Dane says.
We’re all crowded at her bedside, beaming down at her.I’m holding one of her hands; Asher is holding another.Dane, Jett, and Bella are gathered around the foot of the bed.
The doctor comes in shortly after I arrive, gently shooing us out so he can do a quick exam.We huddle in the hallway, all of us too keyed up to sit quietly in the waiting room.
"This is good, right?"I ask, seeking reassurance."She seems like herself."
"She knew exactly who she was and who we were when she woke up," Asher confirms."But she was surprised to hear how long she’s been out.They'll know more soon."
Relief floods through me, exhaustion on its heels.I lean against the wall, suddenly aware of how tired I am.Between the shop, the barn cleaning, and the emotional rollercoaster of Mom's condition, I'm running on fumes.
"Where were you when Dane called?"Jett asks, eyeing my dusty clothes."You look like you've been rolling around in an attic."
I tense slightly."Just…cleaning the storage room at the shop.It was overdue."
Jett raises an eyebrow but doesn't press, which I appreciate.The last thing we all need right now is to talk about the barn.
Griffin arrives, slightly out of breath, having clearly rushed from whatever he was doing."How is she?"he demands.
"Awake, alert, and knows who we all are," Asher reports.
Griffin's relief is palpable as the tension visibly drains from his shoulders.
The doctor emerges after what feels like an eternity, clipboard in hand."She's doing remarkably well," he tells us."We'll need to keep her for observation for a few more days, but barring any complications, she should be able to go home by early next week."
The collective sigh of relief from the Keegan siblings is probably audible three floors down.
