Page 46 of Petals of Blue: Part Two
A bandage is wrapped around her head, covering her eyebrows, which answers my question about being quiet. She must have a concussion. And other things...
Swallowing, I inch toward her while the others surround her bed. I barely register Felix going to his uncle and talking quietly, because I'm stuck on her. On my Blue.
I try really fucking hard to blur out the purple fingerprints on her neck, but they're already bright and glaring at me like it's my fault.
Why wasn't I protecting her? Every time she's needed us, we haven’t been there. How do we do better?
"Dec," my brother whispers. I feel his hand on my shoulder before I see him. He encourages me into a chair and stands beside me, both of us watching our woman rest.
"Is she in pain?" I ask without taking my eyes off her.
Jim steps into view, tapping away on the computer beside her bed. "She's on some pain medication, which is part of the reason she fell asleep so soon after waking up."
"Part of the reason?" Jared murmurs, staring at Blue's bandaged hand like he wants to hold it, but he's afraid of hurting her. I get it; I'm feeling the same way about just breathing near her.
Felix's uncle stops typing and turns to us with a serious look that makes dread pool in my empty stomach.He has all the answers, yet I'm feeling inclined to beg him to sugarcoat it.
"Blue hasn't given permission for me to share her medical information, but I will answer your question," he addresses Jared. "Vaguely, of course."
Roman scoffs, and I can't wait to get my brother alone so I can hear all about this mysterious Uncle Jim. What he did to make Roman, the chillest guy I know, act like...well...Felix.
Jim glances at Roman for a second before looking back down at Blue. "She will need as much sleep as she can get to heal. You can see some of her injuries, but there's also the matter of her mind. I don't know exactly what happened to Ms. Bennett, but she might have some lasting struggles. Sleeping, eating, staying hydrated, and maybe talking to someone about her traumatic experience are going to be very important for recovery."
And there's that word;recovery.
Felix makes a noise, drawing my attention from Blue. He turns to face his uncle with a look of pure anguish and vulnerability. "Jim..."
"I know, son," Jim murmurs, and drags Felix in for a quick apologetic hug. "You guys can stay here. I'm sorry I can't tell you more, but Ms. Bennett is my priority. She requested your presence, but didn't give me anything else."
Felix nods, crossing his arms over his chest. "We aren't leaving until she does."
"I figured. When she wakes, press this button here beside the bed. I'll see if I can get you a few more chairsand blankets. There are a few more pillows there on the couch."
We thank Jim as he makes his way out of the hospital room. Roman watches the doctor leave with a creased brow that still confuses me. There's obviously a bad story behind that look, but right now, he's taking care of Blue.
"I don't trust him," Roman blurts, sounding like a pouting teenager.
Felix grunts and glowers at his best friend. "Leave it, Rome."
"How the hell can I after the way he abandoned you?"
Felix stiffens as they square off over Blue's sleeping body. "Not right now," I hiss, standing and shoving Roman into the chair instead. "We're here for Blue, and Jim is her doctor. He's been kind and respectful not only with us, but with Blue's privacy. We're all exhausted. Leave it for now."
"Is it safe to enter, or are you going to keep growling and maybe sprout some claws?"
Inwardly, I groan, knowing the last thing we need is Ellis stirring the pot even more. While I can appreciate his humor and wit, I know Roman and Felix do not.
Felix stiffens and stomps toward the nurse. "Listen here you?—"
"Felix!" I snap, annoyed with his fucking attitude. "Enough. Ellis." I sigh. "I love the jokes, I do, but read the room."
"Uh, Dec—" Jared starts, but I wave him off.
I'm not about to throw hands or anything, butsomeone needs to teach this guy some fucking manners. In a polite way, of course. "The woman we love is lying in a hospital bed. I'm asking you to think and be respectful because I can't guarantee my boyfriend won't punch you at some point."
Ellis pales and shifts on his feet before releasing a sigh that sounds really fucking heavy. "I'm sorry. Shit. I just—I forgot to leave my personal issues at the door tonight, I guess."
I raise a brow, and he drags his hand through his slicked-back ashy blond hair. The color comes back to his cheeks with a vengeance. "My girl ghosted me. Then blocked me. I thought…then I saw…never mind. Look, I really am sorry."
