Page 79 of Sunset

I close my eyes and sigh. The words heal me in a way nothing in this hospital can. I open my eyes to find Brynn watching me.

“I’m calling the nurse.” She says, walking around the bed to push a button.

A moment later a nurse comes in.

“He’s awake. Keep the light low, because they’re bothering him.” Brynn says, after there’s a knock on the door and another nurse walks in.

After that, it’s a flurry of activity, as a few doctors and nurses come in to talk to me and check me out. Brynn’s hand never leaves mine, and I couldn’t tell you what any of them said.

My head is swimming. They asked so many questions, and all spew so much medical jargon that I just wanted them to stop. Kade and Lin came in with food for Brynn and have been trying to get her to eat. When my mom walked in, she pushed a doctor out of the way to get to my side.

“As soon as you get out of here, you’re in big trouble, do you hear me? I have enough to worry about without you trying to put me in the grave with your father. Stupid boy.” She mumbles, as the doctor keeps talking.

When the nurses and doctors leave, I turn to Brynn. I’m tired, and whatever medicine they gave me, is making me sleepy as hell.

“What happened?” I ask.

Brynn seems to know what I mean. She always does.

“The boat that called in your accident says a wave came and knocked yours on the side. The guys who pulled you from the boat said you were unconscious, hit your head on the steering wheel, and then got tossed around a bit. At least, you were wearing a life vest, because it saved your life. When you didn’t come back, I called your mom, and when she said you weren’t there, we both knew. We both went to the dockmaster who told us they were airlifting you here. Kade and Lin drove us.” Brynn says.

My mom takes over, “You were in surgery, when we got here. The doctors kept saying you were very lucky, but they had to go in, clean your leg, get the bleeding stopped, set it, and sew you back up. You will be in a cast for a while. Serves you right.” Mom gives me the stink eye.

I know this version of my mom. She was so scared, and now that I’m fine, she’s relieved and pissed at me for scaring her. Hell, I’m pissed at myself for scaring her, too.

“When you’re released, you won’t be able to be in the kitchen, until the cast comes off, and that includes my kitchen. You will let me take care of you,” Mom says.

“Ahhh well, that depends,” I say.

“On what?” She asks.

I turn to look at Brynn. “On this girl. I’m sorry these meds are killing me. I promise, we will talk, but I need to close my eyes for a bit, and you need to eat.” I say.

“I’ll make sure she eats. Get some rest.” Kade says, and I close my eyes.

* * *

When I wake up again, the room is still dark, and everything is quiet. My mom is asleep in the chair to my left, and Brynn is watching TV in the chair to my right with her hand still in mine. I give her hand a squeeze, and her eyes shoot over to mine.

“Hey.” She whispers and smiles at me. “You need some more pain meds?” She asks.

“In a few. I wanted to say how sorry I am.” I say, and her eyes go dark.

“Not right now, Jasper. Let’s work on getting you out of here.” She says.

“No, I need to say this, and you need to hear it. I was in a dark place, because when it hit me how close to the one year anniversary we were, I realized I knew how you felt all those years ago. Then, I started to wonder how you could forgive me, when I couldn’t even forgive myself for not being there for you.” I say, nodding towards the water.

As she brings the straw to my lips, she sighs. “It’s been five years. Was I angry at you, yes, but I let all that go for me. I had to, because letting it beat me up, wasn’t an option, when I had The Inn and everyone there, depending on me. When I saw you at the Farmer’s Market, I had already forgiven you. That didn’t mean I was ready to trust you with my heart again, or let you off the hook so easy.” She says, as she sets the cup back down.

“I was trying to connect with my dad and figure out how to move forward, so that’s why I got on the boat,” I say, watching her purse her lips.

“I’m sorry, but it was what I needed. I realized I didn’t want another day without you in my life.” I tell her.

“But you don’t get it! You did the one thing that would scare me the most by getting on the boat. I almost lost you the same way I lost them. It wasn’t you who would have to live with it. It would have been me, losing a third person the same way, and then having to live without you.” She says with tears in her eyes.

“I know, and if you can forgive me yet again, I swear I will never step foot on another boat. My days will be spent showing you how much I love you, and so you never have to spend a day without me, I promise to let you go first.” I say.

She takes in a large, slow breath and bites her bottom lip.

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