Page 34 of Tethered Hearts

Brie

Brie’s eyes fluttered open. Her limbs ached, her head pounded with the intensity of a thousand jackhammers, and her mouth tasted like she’d been sucking on a damp sock. She tried to sit up but the room swam around her. She sank back against the pillow. Tendrils of deep golden sunlight broke through the slatted blinds on the window and filled the room. What time was it? The last thing she remembered was talking to Brett. Or at least murmuring every so often as he rambled on. Thank goodness he was gone. She didn’t have the energy to deal with him. While it was nice of him to visit and apologise for his words from earlier that day, she would much rather have preferred someone else’s company. Someone who hadn’t left her thoughts since the gala. Someone with sandy brown hair and chocolate coloured eyes, and a smile that melted her insides.

She straightened the sheet over her chest and smiled with the memories of the previous evening. Matt had been so attentive, ensuring her comfort the entire night. He’d been her solid rock when she was drowning in a sea of celebrities. Pride welled in her chest as she remembered how he’d walked up the stairs and across the stage, and tears stung her eyes with the recollection of his speech and the standing ovation he’d received. He was an amazing man, and it had been an incredible privilege to witness his transformation as he’d surrendered his life to Jesus. From angry and jaded to embracing hope and a life of freedom. His injuries were not the end of his story. Rather, they were a part of his journey, and she was excited to see the huge plans God had in store for him.

Without thinking, Brie reached for her phone. And then she remembered the headlines and images from the news, and the decision she’d made to let Matt contact her first if there was to be anything further between them. She glanced at the blank screen and sighed. Perhaps he’d been so embarrassed by all the media attention that he wanted to completely distance himself from her.

“Sleeping beauty awakens!”

Brie gingerly turned her head on the pillow, offering a half-smile as Melanie walked into the room. “You’re here late.”

“Eh. Life as a nurse manager.” She shrugged, placing a kiss on Brie’s forehead before lowering into the chair beside the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve been hit by a truck.”

“Well, flipping your car over a concrete barrier comes pretty close.”

“Yeah.” Brie exhaled a sigh, amazed that she’d only escaped with minor injuries. She didn’t even know what she’d swerved to avoid on the road. A dog? A possum? “I’m just tired and sore, which is amazing, all things considered.” God had certainly been watching over her.

“Well, at least you can get some rest and be monitored to make sure you’re okay.”

“There’s not a chance of getting any rest when someone’s opening my eyes every hour and blinding me with a torch.”

“We’ve got to do what we’ve got to do.” Melanie reached for Brie’s hand and clasped it between hers. “I’m just so glad you’re okay. I got the fright of my life when I saw your name down in the ER. More than a fright actually.” A soft smile tugged on her lips as her eyes brimmed with tears. “I’m glad you’ll be here for my wedding.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Brie settled back on the pillow, her eyes drifting shut. Call bells chimed a relentless melody in the corridor. Trolleys rattled past as kitchen staff prepared to deliver meals. She could make out snippets of an afternoon game show playing from someone’s television in another room. Whoever said hospitals were a place of rest was lying. She would give anything to be back in the comfort of her own home with Rocky by her side.

“Oh, you’ll never guess who was here earlier.” Opening her eyes, Brie tilted her head toward Melanie.

“Matt?”

“Brett,” Brie huffed, a wave of nausea sweeping over her as she shook her head.

“Why?”

“To apologise. Apparently he blames himself.”

“Why?” Confusion furrowed Melanie’s brow as she reached for a glass of water and lifted the straw to Brie’s lips. She took a sip, relishing the cool liquid as it slid down her throat and helped rid some of the awful taste in her mouth. She recalled the conversation with Brett at the indoor rock climbing venue, him being all smug and superior about the ability to fully use his limbs.

“He was being an idiot after seeing the photos of Matt and me in the news this morning, or whenever it was.” Time was jumbled, and the awards night seemed like forever ago. “He said some very immature and insensitive things about Matt’s injuries. I got mad and stormed off.”

“He is an idiot,” Melanie asserted, eliciting a laugh from Brie which quickly morphed into a groan.

She lifted a hand to her head. “Don’t make me laugh too much. It hurts.”

“I’m sorry,” Melanie said. “But it’s the truth.”

“The thing is, he’s not really doing anything wrong. He’s just annoying and …”

“An idiot,” both women said in unison. Melanie chuckled and Brie grimaced as she tried to hold back her laugh.

“He’s definitely not Matt,” Melanie stated.

“No, he’s not.” Not at all. Brett was arrogant and vain, whereas Matt was humble and kind and considerate. An all-out nice guy. “You can’t always change someone’s personality.”

“That is so very true,” Melanie said. “By the way, I saw those photos, and you looked amazing. You both did. You made the perfect couple. And, I still can’t believe you were on television. My best friend, a superstar!”

“Ha. Arm candy is more like it. Isn’t that what all the footballers have? A glamorous woman on their arm for attention. Not that I’m glamorous. But what a great reputation to have.” She rolled her eyes.

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