Page 59 of Sweet Punk
That’s what everyone keeps saying, but we haven’t heard anything about Kellan’s condition yet. I’m trying valiantly not to freak the fuck out.
Maddox bristles, his expression going stormy as he shifts to a more comfortable position on the bed that’s barely big enough to hold him. “It’s fuckin’ bullshit that his dad’s not here.” We overheard some nurses talking earlier about how Mr. Murphy had been contacted but wasn't coming.Asshole.
I screw up my courage and boldly state, “That’s okay. Kellan doesn’t need him anyway. He has us.”
“Damn right,” Hawk grunts.
“Is there someone here for Kellan Murphy?” A woman’s voice travels to us from the ER waiting area, and I sit straight up on the cot.
There’s some low talking from beyond the curtain, then Ryleigh’s firm voice. “Yes, we’re his friends, but you need to let Star St. James back see him.”
“Butshe’sa patient. We don’t usually do that.”
“She’s hisgirlfriendand saved him from a motherfucking fire. Let. Her. See. Him!”
IknewI was right about her. My brows shoot up, and I cover my mouth with a few fingers as Raven gets up and pulls the curtain back before anyone else can do it. “She’s right here. And yes, she’d like to see Kellan.”
At the height of the commotion, a nurse appears from the double doors where we’ve seen them take other patients. The newcomer rapidly assesses the situation, glancing from us to the woman who doesn’t want to let me see Kellan.
“They want to send one of the ER patients to see another patient.”
The nurse frowns, nodding toward me. “This one? Don’t be silly. Put her in a wheelchair for transport, and I’ll take her myself.”
I guess Ryleigh’s earlier outburst already had people in motion, because a patient transporter is right there with a wheelchair. As he helps me get settled, I scan the faces of our friends and almost start crying.
“Tell him we said to behave, okay?” Lux blows me a kiss.
Maddox rolls his eyes and huffs out a laugh. “Yeah, tell him the staff would probably like it best if he wore his hospital gown at all times.”
And despite not knowing how Kellan is doing yet, I grin at him while everyone laughs. “You got it.”
We take off down the hallway, and once we’ve pushed through the double doors, the nurse murmurs from behind me, “It’s nice that he’s got good, loyal friends.”
I nod. “They’re kinda the best.” And I guess I’m not hiding my emotions very well, what with my voice cracking the way it is, because she lays a hand on my shoulder and squeezes.
“His doctor can tell you more, but he’s going to be okay. He took a hit to the head, maybe a piece of wood? We’re not one hundred percent sure, and he couldn’t tell us.”
“He’s awake?” I look hopefully back at her as we zip down the hall and around a corner.
“Yes, he woke up for a little bit, but he might be napping again. He doesn’t remember much except he’d gone off alone to calm down after an altercation with his father. The rest is foggy for him. He has a concussion and needed a couple of stitches. They didn’t intubate him for the smoke inhalation, so that’s a great sign. We’ll keep him for a few days to be sure, but he should be okay.”
I want to say that’s a relief, but I’m going to worry until I see him myself. We stop in front of a door, and she turns me around so she can back me in.
Once inside, all the air whooshes out of my lungs at the sight of Kellan lying in the bed, an oxygen mask covering his nose and mouth, his eyes shut. A tiny whimper escapes my lips as the nurse pushes me right up to the side so I can take his hand in mine.
“I’ll be back to check on you in a little bit,” she says softly, patting my shoulder. But I’m too busy feeling the warmth of Kellan’s skin and the pulse in his wrist to answer.
I don’t know how long it is that I sit and watch him breathe, skimming the pad of my thumb over the back of his strong artist’s hand. Finally, I can’t stand it any longer. I rise onto wobbly legs and lean over the bed, thankful that his IV is on the other side. I press a soft kiss to his smooth-shaven cheek, then drag in a shaky breath. “Kellan, you’re going to be okay. You hear me? You have to be because I need you in my life.”
Kellan shifts on the bed, “Hey, baby.” His words are muffled from behind the oxygen mask, but his pretty green eyes are glued on me. “I need you, too.”
My heart lurches. “You’re awake.”
“I am.” I can tell speaking isn’t going to be easy for him right now, his voice is all raspy—not that he’s ever huge on words.
I carefully lift my hand to his face, brushing his messy hair from his forehead. “How are you feeling?”
He grimaces, but it slips into a smile as his eyes roam over me. “Better now that you’re here. Can you climb onto the bed with me?”
