Page 59 of See You Soon
"He knows, Miss Redd, he knows," I say, clearing my throat, as I straighten myself, going back to brushing her hair. I don't know much about Damon but I know for damn sure he must have known that she loved him by the way she talks about him. And I know that he feels the same way about her.
“I’m forever thankful to the men that saved me. Navy SEALS Rider, Rooker, Slaughter will always have a special place in my heart. Even Zeke.”
When she mentions the man that infuriates me to my core, I have to force my smile away.
As I brush her hair, her vitals go back to normal and she's resting on her side that doesn't have broken ribs. She continues to tell me more about Damon as the Parks and Recreation marathon continues. She says it makes her feel better. She opens up about how they met, what he looks like, and her time in the military. She manages to laugh when she talks about him and I'm content knowing this is helping her heal.
"Please call me Violet, by the way…" She stares at Andy and April on the TV screen. "Have you ever felt that?" Violet asks.
"Felt what?"
"Love at first sight?"
Her question hits me like a hurricane. I finish braiding her hair and tie it off at the end. The night I first met Danny pops into my head. The mysterious man that read my emotions so easily. The smell of cigarettes and whiskey floods my senses, and butterflies are swirling inside my stomach.
I chuckle.
"I'm only twenty-two." I shrug.
"So?"
Chapter26
ari
I'm in the bathroom sobbing. I'm sitting on the floor, crying not caring if it's dirty. I feel weak and drained. I could feel Violet's pain and her agony. I felt it through her stories and her cries for Damon. This was her life now. She's getting transferred back to the United States in a few days to continue her recovery and I didn't have the heart to tell her that. I knew she wasn't going to take it well. I don't want to know what she would be feeling, finding out she'd be leaving Damon behind. I don't blame her if she wanted to set the whole world on fire. I would set the whole world on fire if it meant I could bring my brother back.
My shift ended twenty minutes ago and I didn't have the mental strength to leave without letting out what I had just heard. I had totally forgotten about Danny.
It was around ten at night and I felt gross. I still haven't showered and that repulsed me. I couldn't wait any longer so I decided to jump into one of the showers they had at the hospital for on-call staff.
I undressed, wrapping my clothes in my backpack, jumping into the hot water that was running. The hot water felt amazing, the longer I stood under the water, the more stress left my body. Violet's question still lingers in my mind.
Love at first sight?
The feelings I have for Danny are strong but still… I don't know him even though he makes me feel like I could spend the rest of my life with him.
The shower was quick, I finish fast and then I throw my clothes back on before I step out. Violet had fallen back to sleep when my shift ended. She was doing a little better after spilling out the horrid memories in her head. She was begging for me to listen but I was already more than happy to be all ears. This poor girl would never be the same again but maybe with time, she could heal. Maybe when she gets back with Damon, she'll feel whole again.
I grab my backpack, throw it over my back, and head toward the lobby. Danny’s nowhere to be found and it confuses me. He said he would be here waiting. I take another glance looking to both sides of the waiting lobby and I only see a few soldiers waiting to be seen but no Danny. Maybe, he racked out and was catching up on rest before he had to leave.
Crap... I really didn't want him to go in the morning.
I exit the doors that lead to the outside of the building and start my way back to my place. I shouldn't be offended. I got out way later than I originally told him. I sigh, dragging my feet out across the pavement. The moon is full, the air chilly, and it was honestly the most clear the sky has looked since I'd been here. It was breathtaking. My head falls back, while I take the whole night in. I could see all the stars twinkling around a full white moon glowing. I take this moment to appreciate the world's beauty despite all the evil crawling among us.
The day before I was saving a life and that meanteverythingto me. I saved my first life with my bare hands.
When Rooker came in, he was bleeding out so profusely. A black hawk just landed and as soon as we got him on a gurney, I climbed on him. The bleeding wouldn't stop so I plugged my hands into his wound, pressing it tight and I wouldn't let go. Rooker was unconscious and I was on top of him, my hands applying pressure on his wound. His pulse was extremely weak and I felt like we were going to lose him, for sure.
The entire time, I'm hot and anxious. Multiple nurses and doctors are wheeling us both into the building, straight to an Operating Room.
"You're doing good, Ari. Keep applying pressure! Don’t stop or he’ll bleed out!” Doctor Diaz orders me and I don't hesitate. My hair falls in my face and I'm looking at Rooker's pale face and all I see is my big brother. Paul's face replaces Rookers' and I feel like I'm in some bad dream.
"You're not leaving. I won't let you." I whisper, my lips tremble and Lori looks at me confused at first but then it registers for her.
Tears fall down my nose, I'm sweating, my cheeks red hot and I see blood seeping through the cracks of my fingers.
I won't let my brother's friend die.
