Page 70 of On The Run

“Sure you can.” A face came into view. He was about my age with light-brown hair and intense gray eyes. “I know it fucking sucks. You’re having a panic attack, but you can breathe.”

Easy for him to say. I shook my head at him. The man sighed. “Ok, Aiden. It’s ok. Deep breaths now. In and out. Follow me.” The man took slow, exaggerated breaths, ones that were easy for me to mimic. I closed my eyes and focused on the man, doing my best to match his breathing.

“That’s it, Aiden. You’re doing good. Now, tell me five things you can see.”

I knew the grounding technique. I was an old pro at it. I wanted to tell him to go fuck himself but instead I made myself focus. I forced myself to open my eyes, to listen to the voice. “Your face. The heart rate monitor. The white hospital blankets. Um, my hand? The window.”

“Good. Good. Now five things you can hear.”

I went through the rest of the exercise, and as much as it annoyed me, it helped. I was able to breathe and was more relaxed, just left with my embarrassment.

“I’m sorry.”

This man’s name was Sage. I remembered now. We were in a very similar situation two years ago, and here we were again. “Trust me, you don’t need to apologize. My siblings and I could make a career out of panic attacks. There’s no reason to be embarrassed.”

Still . . . I leaned back against the pillow, trying to get my bearings. I vaguely remembered waking up a few times, but I was never conscious enough to fully take in what was around me. It looked like any other hospital room I’d ever been in, and between Pops’s cancer and everything else, I was an expert. There was one thing missing though, or, well, one person. A person I remembered opening my eyes to every time, unless it was a dream—

“Max?” I asked, terrified of the answer.

“He’ll be back. Kai and his friend finally forced him out of the room a little while ago to get some food and clean up.” Sage grinned. “He’s gonna be pissed he missed you waking up.”

I closed my eyes. It was too much work to keep them open. “But he’s here?”

“Oh yeah. He’s here. He’s barely left your side at all.”

“Gray?” I asked. Because what about his son? I was relieved he was here with me, but he took precedent over me.

“Gray? Oh, is that his son?” I thought I nodded in response.

“Yeah, he’s here too. Well, he’s at a hotel. Max’s parents and sister came up yesterday with him.”

My eyes flew open. “They did? Why?”

“Because they care about you. All of them. And they love Max and he’s head over heels for you.”

I didn’t have the brainwaves to process any of that, so I didn’t. I’d think about the implications of that sentence later.

“Pops?”

“He’s in Denver. He was in rough shape, but they’re treating him well and he’s doing a lot better. He’s been blowing up all of our phones to hear from you, so as soon as you’re up to it, I would call him.”

I smiled weakly. “Can you call him now?”

Sage hesitated. “No offense, but you sound pretty shitty right now, man. Are you sure it’s a good idea?”

I nodded once. I knew Pops. He’d be going out of his mind until he heard my voice.

“Please.”

“Ok, but I’m blaming you when Max and the nurses are on my ass.”

I smiled weakly at Sage, and he dialed up Pops.

“Hello?” My shoulders sagged and relief coursed through me. He sounded good. Anxious, yes, but strong. Stronger than he had been in a while.

“Pops?”

“Aiden? Oh my god, A? Is that really you? Are you ok? They kept saying you weren’t awake yet, and I was going insane.”

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