Page 59 of Ride or Die
"Sounds good." We hang up and I go back to Buster's room. Cali is laying her head on the bed, looking at Buster and is softly talking to him. I walk behind her.
"We're gonna have to head out soon," I tell her.
"Do we have to?” She gives me a pleading look and I nod. “Can we come back in the morning?"
"First thing," I say and she gives me a small smile.
"We gotta go, babe, but we'll be back in the morning," she says to Buster. She leans up and kisses him on the cheek. "I love you so much."
"Keep fighting, brother." I pat his hand. A few tears run down Cali's cheeks as she walks away from him. "He's in good hands here."
"He'll have a different nurse in the morning. Her name is Jenna. Y'all will like her," Sammi says to us with a smile as we come out of his room.
"Thank you so much for reaching out to Shade," Cali tells her.
"Of course," Sammi responds. Cali gives her a hug before we leave. As soon as we walk into the waiting room, Rascal and Buzz stand.
"How is he," Buzz asks.
"Not dead," I deadpan. Buzz shakes his head and I shrug. "He's as good as he can be, being in a coma. We'll come back tomorrow and y'all can visit with him."
We head over to the hotel Rascal found for us. He got us two rooms, both with two queen size beds. Cali is out as soon as her head hits the pillow. I text Raze so he can update Minx, then I crash.
36
Cali
I'mup with the sun. I tried to sleep in longer, my body needing the rest, but I'm ready to get back up to the hospital. I don't want him waking up with no one around him. I gather my clothes for the day and go into the bathroom to shower. I close the door without turning the light on so I don't bother Shade.
Turning the light on, I take a good look at myself in the mirror. The bags under my eyes have become much more pronounced in the past few weeks. I turn the shower on and hop in. I let the water hit my back for a couple of minutes. I bask in the serenity of this moment. I hurry through the rest of my shower. Once I'm dried off, I decide to blow dry my hair.
"Couldn't sleep in either," Shade asks as I walk out of the bathroom.
"No, too anxious to get back to the hospital," I tell him.
"I understand that. Let me get a shower in. Then we can grab some breakfast and go," he responds. He messes with his phone, probably sending out a text to Rascal about our plans. While he's in the bathroom getting ready for the day, I check my phone. Two new texts, both from Minx.
From Minx:Did y'all make it there okay? Is it him?
The second one was sent after we got settled in the hotel room.
From Minx:Shade messaged me. Don’t hesitate to tell me if you need anything or if there's anything any of us can do for you.
Tears form in my eyes. I’ve only just met these people, but they treat me like they've known me our whole lives. They treat me like family and I'm so thankful for all of them.
To Minx:I'm sorry I haven't responded. We're going back to the hospital after breakfast. I'll text you and give you an update later.
We go to breakfast at a little diner near the hospital. Rascal and Buzz tag along too. Shade and I rush through breakfast.
"What the fuck race are y'all runnin'?" Rascal laughs at us.
"I'm in a hurry to get back to Buster," I say honestly.
"Well, y'all go on ahead. We'll finish, pay, and meet you over there," he replies.
"We'll see y'all over there." Shade climbs out of the booth.
"Thanks, Rascal," I tell him as I stand. At the hospital, we go straight to the ICU rooms. As we're about to walk into Ryan's room, a nurse is walking out.
