Page 82 of One Killer Night
“We will do all we can to give him a full recovery.” The doctor looks down, avoiding her eyes for a moment, and my heart beats faster. “He has some intracranial swelling along with a small bleed that we’re paying close attention to, but right now, we’re focused on repairing the hand and leg. We’ll keep you updated as soon as we can.” He motions to a woman in scrubs standing off to the side. “The nurse will take you to the family waiting room.”
I shiver from the memory as Evie looks at her phone. “What time is Noah landing?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. He was on standby for one flight and booked for another. I have crappy service in here, so I don’t even know if my texts are going through. But I’m thinking sometime in the next thirty minutes.”
Evie blows out a rush of air, her cheeks puffing up, as I pull my long sleeves over my hands and put a foot on the cold hospital chair I’m sitting on.
Hospitals are always so cold. I’m glad she had the wherewithal to grab two hoodies from her car. But why does she have them in her car in the middle of summer? How long have these been there?
Oh god. My thoughts are so scattered. I’m volleying between scared to death and shit that’s pointless.
I lay my head on Evie’s shoulder, existing in silence, as I check my phone over and over, hoping it will miraculously work, while she picks at her nail polish.
“Noah got ahold of Chase’s family, right?”
We talked about this in the car, but I’m pretty sure neither of us remembers the last four and a half hours very clearly, so I just nod.
“They won’t be here until later today. Even with a private jet.”
“Jesus,” she exhales harshly, and I sit up straight. “Can you imagine hearing someone hurt your kid like this? What kind of animal hits someone and leaves them there to die?” She waves her hand before grabbing mine.
I start to agree with her, but I’m silenced because the glass door swings open, drawing both our eyes.
“Mrs. Beckett?” The doctor we spoke to before is back. We instantly stand, our hands gripped as she nods. “He’s out of surgery. It all went very well. We expect a full recovery for him. And thankfully, the swelling on the brain has gone down, and the bleed has stopped. He’s really lucky he was wearing his helmet. We’ll continue to monitor him, but this is the best possible outcome we could’ve hoped for.”
Neither of us speaks, trying to process what he’s saying. The doctor smiles, his eyes wrinkling on the sides of his face. “Mrs. Beckett. Your husband is out of the woods, and he is going to be just fine.”
A collective sigh of relief whooshes between both of us as we immediately hug.Holy shit.The doctor continues, but we stay in the hug.
“He’s being moved into a suite. Once he’s awake and stable, you’ll be able to see him.”
“Thank you,” Evie says, before looking at me with a smile. “It’s good.”
“It’s good,” I echo, smiling back and letting out a long exhale. “Let me text Noah.”
Even though I don’t know if he’s getting them or not, I still have to send it anyway.
Me:He’s Okay!!!! Out of surgery. They said we can go back once he’s awake. Noah—it’s good.
I drop back into my chair, leaning my head against the wall behind me. “Fuck,” I say and turn to look at my sister. “What a night ...”
“May it never happen again,” she tosses out with a chuckle as her shoulders sag in relief.
She’s typing furiously on her phone as I just sit and breathe, letting the news sink in. He’s okay. God, the alternative was horrifying. I can’t even think about how I would’ve told Noah. Now, if only I could relax, knowing Noah knows that. Evie turns to face me.
“Umm ... did you hear what the doctor said? That he had the helmet on.”
I nod. “I know, thank god. I don’t even want to think about what could’ve happened had he not.”
But she narrows her eyes as her smile widens. It’s then I can see her signature sarcasm gathering like a storm.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” I press, not picking up on what she’s trying to telepathically say.
“Goldie ...” She emphasizes my name like I’m missing something.
“What?” I giggle.
She deadpans. “Listen, I’m only saying this because Chase is okay ... But he had the helmeton.”
