Page 53 of Leave Before I Love You
“Yeah,” I say, tearing my gaze away. “Let’s go.”
The good thing about protocol is that it leaves very little room for exceptions. If I’m required to go to the hospital, so is Avery.
And maybe, just maybe, we’ll be away from prying eyes long enough for me to talk to her.
Avery
You’d think after spending thirteen days stuck on an island, I’d savor the feel of a bed and fresh linen, but even with the blankets piled high on my lap and the warm saline solution pumping into my veins through the IV, this hospital room is too white, too sterile, and too cold for my liking. I can’t shake the chill.
The doctor has already come and gone, telling me everything looks fine except for mild dehydration and that I’ll need to stay overnight for observation. But otherwise, I’m good to go.
Physically, anyway.
Mentally, I’m still stuck on that island. With Henry.
Sure, it wasn’t easy, but the air was warm, the sun bright, and at the end of each day, I knew what to expect. Now, I don’t know if I’ll ever feel the comfort of Henry’s arms or hear the soft lull of him singing me to sleep again, and everything about not knowing last night might have been thelast nightmakes me uneasy.
And to make matters worse, I haven’t seen him since the tarmac. It’s been hours, but my mind keeps replaying every glance, every word, every touch we shared over the last two weeks, and it silently cries out in desperation to know if any of it will ever happen again.
My family—Mom, Dad, Beau, and June—are crowded around my bed, trying to fill the silence with laughter and questions andJune’s occasional hormone-fueled emotional outbursts, and Justin is around here somewhere in the gift shop or something—though, if I’m honest, I lost track—but my head is someplace else. Specifically, in an island fog of unanswered questions about Henry freaking Callahan.
My grandparents went home under the assurance that I’d call and see them soon, the excitement of the search and rescue and seeing me again an overwhelming thing for their well-worn nervous systems, and if I can manage it soon, I’m hoping to convince everyone else to leave too.
Normally, I’d love this level of attention, but right now, I just feel overwhelmed.
“So, what’s next?” Beau asks, breaking my train of thought. “Do they just let you out tomorrow or what?”
“Pretty much,” I say, taking a sip of water. “Just some fluids and observation and a couple of hot meals. Nothing major.”
“I swear, this all feels like I just woke up from a nightmare.” Mom sniffles and hugs Addy closer to her chest. “I’m just so happy you’re here, Avery. So happy you’re okay. I can’t even imagine what could’ve happened. What if—”
“I’m fine, Mom,” I cut her off before she can get herself worked up all over again. “See?” I wiggle my fingers for effect, trying to lighten the mood. “I mean, besides the fact that I’m in serious need of a fresh mani.” My hands are rough, my cuticles dry, and my polish chipped. My nail tech, Marty, will be horrified when he gets a look at these daggers.
Unfortunately, my joke goes over like a batch of botched filler. My mom’s bottom lip trembles, and June starts to get all teary-eyed again.
“She’s right, Avery.” June grabs my hand, a fresh wave of tears streaming down her cheeks. “We thought we lost you. I thought I lost you!”
“Relax, June,” I say, trying to sound breezy. “I’m here, okay? I’m not going anywhere.”
“Relax?” she exclaims. “You were missing for two weeks, Avery!Two weeks!I thought I was going to have to name my kid after you or something!”
I snort. “I mean, Averyisa great name for a baby…”
June narrows her eyes at me, but her lips twitch like she’s trying not to smile. “You’re impossible.”
I shrug, leaning back against the pillows. I don’t want to be sad. I don’t want to cry or wail or complain. I just want to feel warm. My gaze drifts to Beau, and before I can stop myself, I ask the only question truly burning me. “Have you seen Henry? Is he doing okay?”
“He’s on another floor because Mom bribed the nurses to give you this room since it had the best view,” he answers.
My head jerks to my mom petulantly. “And you didn’t bribe them to give Henry a good room too?”
She frowns. “Of course I did. They only had one room with a good view on each floor.”
I shake my head lightly, trying to seem nonchalant, but my chest is much tighter than I let on.I wish she would have kept us together.
Is he alone? I know it shouldn’t matter, but it does. Henry doesn’t have family anymore. Just Ronnie and Maverick and Beau—but one of them is in my room with me. My throat feels dry, and I swallow hard against the uncomfortable sensation.
“Is…is anyone with him?” I ask, my voice quieter than I intend.
