Page 66 of Avalanche
For some reason, that has the doctor smiling. Liam’s grip tightens almost painfully on my hand, his other hand flying to his face as he tries to stifle a choked-sounding cry.
“We’ll get you some morphine,” the doctor promises, nodding towards the IV line hanging by Seth’s bed. “That should take the edge off. Now, how about your other leg?”
Seth frowns in confusion, trying to peer down his body and look at his right leg. “It’s fine.” He lifts his right knee slightly, then drops it back down on the mattress. “Why?”
The doctor’s smile widens even further.
Liam is sobbing now, sharp, wracking sounds that he’s trying to hide in the crook of his shoulder. I look at him in alarm, then at Eddie. Surely, Eddie will know what to do. He always knows what to do. But Eddie’s staring at Liam in stunned silence, his eyes so round the whites are fully visible.
“That’s good.” The doctor gives Seth’s right leg a gentle pat. “That means the operation went well.”
“The operation?” Seth echoes, his voice raw. But his attention is fixed on Liam, concern unmistakable behind swollen eyelids.
“We had to operate on your spine,” the doctor explains. “We’ll give you the full details once you’ve had a chance to rest. But everything went well, Seth.” Another smile, this one aimed at Liam. Liam, who is desperately trying to pull himself together. “Really, really well.”
Chapter 20
Antoine
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
It was strange going back to the condo last night after spending all day yesterday in the hospital. Stranger still not going back to the hospital first thing this morning. Knowing Seth is there and we’re all here.
Now, it’s me and Lily standing outside the historic court house, staring up at arching pillars flanked by Victorian turrets, with Liam, Eddie and Matty lingering behind us.
“I’m sure.”
Lily takes my hand in hers, pulling me until we’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder. I give her a nervous smile and she beams up at me, her hazel eyes bright in the morning sun.
“I meant what I said yesterday,” she says. “About all of us.”
If I could marry all of you today, I would.
I nod, my throat tight.
“I want that too,” I admit, tightening my grip around her slender hand. It fits so perfectly in mine. “Maybe when all this is over…”
When Seth is out of hospital. When I’ve got my inheritance—if I get it. When the six of us have had a chance to talk about the future. When Tom isn’t out there, looming like some undying specter.
The truth is, I’ve hardly spoken to Liam since Seth’s accident. No, even before that. Since I asked Lily to marry me. What if he doesn’t want to be together anymore? What if…
I look over my shoulder, shoot him a questioning glance. Are you okay with this? I want to ask. Is this going to destroy everything we have?
He’s staring down at his phone, expression unreadable.
“Come on.” Lily tugs on my hand. “You don’t want to miss our appointment.”
The next few minutes are a blur, a rush of unfamiliar faces and tiled hallways as we wind our way through the civic building, only to be shoved into a small waiting room by an excited looking clerk. The clerk’s excitement turns to confusion when she looks over Lily and me.
“You two are booked for 9:30?” The clerk’s brow dips as she eyes the simple floral dress peeking out from under Lily’s knit sweater.
“That’s us.” Lily’s cheeks turn pink under the clerk’s perusal, but she forces a smile. “All ready to get married.”
“And these are your witnesses?” The clerk eyes Liam, Matty and Eddie with suspicion.
“Yes,” I tell her, suddenly painfully aware of how casually we’re all dressed, with jeans and chinos and sweaters and winter coats, and not a flower to be seen.
Lily should have flowers. I could have at least done that for her.
