Page 9 of Levi
Saylor
I’m sitting next to the stark white bed, holding the hand of my battered and injured husband.Well, soon to be ex-husband, I guess.He looks like he’s been put through a meat grinder but thankfully he survived.I only found out about the incident through the news at the hotel I was staying at.I’d thrown my phone out the window after leaving the restaurant and never looked back.As soon as I saw the news and heard his name mentioned, I rushed over and haven’t left his side.His parents, Daniel and Alice, were on vacation and should be here soon.Their plane should land any moment.Reid has been in and out of the room all day, bringing me food and hovering over me.I guess when your life is played out on the internet and TV you can’t really pretend that nothing is wrong.
Levi has a broken leg and wrist, he had internal bleeding but the surgery to remove his appendix and spleen stopped that.The most important is his head injury and neck.He and Mitch were thrown away from the explosion and into construction machines by the curb.The doctors won’t know the extent of the damage until all the swelling goes down.They have a stint in to drain the blood and to relieve some of the pressure to the brain.The doctors are hopeful but I can tell that they aren’t sure if he’ll wake soon, or at all for that matter.
Mitch is two doors down on the ICU floor with Tina, our housekeeper, by his side since he doesn’t have any family to watch over him here in California.He has both legs and a collarbone broken.He too was thrown from the blast but didn’t incur as severe of injuries as Levi did.He hasn’t woken up yet either, but the doctors aren’t as concerned as they are with Levi.
I try to avoid leaving the room if I can help it.Every time I do, I seem to get the sympathy look or pitiful eyes from everyone around me.It’s either from my husband being in the hospital or the fact that our entire marriage ending argument was played out for everyone to have a front row seat.
Of all the times for both Everly and my grandparents to be out of town, right now is terrible timing.I’ve contacted Everly and she and Lincoln were in London celebrating their engagement.And my Glammy and Granddad didn’t answer.I suspect that they are either hiking or at a place in Montana with no signal or service.
“How’s he doing?”I’m pulled out of my own self-pity for the moment when I hear Reid’s voice.He and Lincoln really are good brothers and we’ve become close since Levi and I announced being married.Being an only child sucked, until Everly came into my life when I was eleven, so having Reid and Lincoln to lean on also is great.
“Same.They check on him every hour but his vitals haven’t changed.”
He nods and takes a seat on the other side of Levi’s bed.
“You know that my brother is the dumbest bastard alive for what he did at the restaurant.I’m sorry you had to be put through that.I have no idea why he did what he did, but I know that he adores and loves you.Obsessed, even.It doesn’t make any sense.”
I let out a heavy sigh.
“Sometimes we just aren’t enough for someone else.We should’ve gotten to know each other a little longer before jumping into marriage.I think we both rushed it because this was our first real relationship, for the both of us, and we skipped over a bunch of steps before we made that leap down the aisle.”Even saying the words is like swallowing acid.I don’t believe them but I sure as hell don’t want any pity from his family, or anyone else for that matter.I’m doing a good enough job of that all on my own.
My hand immediately goes to my stomach and a knot forms.How are we going to raise our child?Does he even want to be in their life, or does he want to cut ties completely?
“I don’t believe that at all, Saylor.I’ve never seen two people who are more in love than you two.It kind of makes the rest of us look bad for not having such a strong connection like the one you both share.”
“I’m not going to argue with that but sometimes maybe love just isn’t enough.”I shrug and can feel the tears in the back of my eyes.
We sit there in silence for a while, letting the beeping from the machines take up the noise in the room from the lack of conversation.
“Who is the escort, Saylor?Is it someone we know?”Reid asks after a beat.I know the Thornes have no idea about the Blaire situation, and I hate that my temper got the best of me at the restaurant.Levi had confided in me and I broke it.Even as mad as I am at Levi, I never wanted to be the one to tell someone else’s secrets.
“Reid…” I start to say but his phones goes off.
“Hello…you did, okay…okay see you guys soon.”He hangs up and turns his focus back on me.“That was Mom, they just arrived.Dad got a call and needed to make a stop first and then will be here.”
I nod, then the door flies open and a handful of nurses come in.Reid’s phone goes off again so he walks out to answer.
“Dr.Richards wants to update some scans.It should only take an hour tops.”The older nurse says, as she connects his IV bag to the bed along with all the other portable machines that are making Levi comfortable.“Honey, go have some caffeine and stretch your legs.Fresh air is always recommended.”
Taking her up on the suggestion, I walk out of the room and spot Ryan standing across the door.We make eye contact but don’t say a word.I know he searched for me when I caught him off guard and sped away.I bypass him on my way down to Mitch’s room.With a light knock, Tina answers looking about how I look, I’m sure.
“Any updates?”I ask after pulling her into a hug.
“About the same.How about Mr.Thorne?”
“Same.No changes.”
“Don’t worry, dear, they are strong and will pull through this.”
I nod.I’ve been numb since yesterday.I’m not even sure how one is supposed to act in a situation like this.I’ve cried so much since yesterday that my tear ducts are dried up.
“Let’s go and get something to drink, Mrs.Thorne.I’m sure the baby needs a break and a good stretch,” Tina says and leads me out of the room.We go down to the cafeteria on the first floor and I grab some juice and a banana, while she gets a coffee and muffin.Ryan follows close behind and pays for our items, since neither of us thought to bring our purses with us.
Walking off the elevator, we are met with the entire Thorne family.Grandpa and Grandma, Eleanor, and Archie Thorne, are seated by the nurse’s desk and stand to greet me.I notice that Daniel, Levi’s Dad, is standoffish and eyeing me as though I’ve killed their dog.
“How are you doing, sweetheart?”Grandma asks, as she ushers me over to her seat.“Everything okay with b-a-b-y?”she whispers the last part.
