Page 175 of Trust Me

I struggle to open my eyes barely halfway. I can’t make anything out. It’s all blurry. I try another tactic by turning my head. I realize I'm in a bed. I move my head against the pillow, straining to face the direction where the voices are coming from.

“K—” I try to say his name but can only make out the first syllable. My throat burns from the attempt, but I force myself to try again.

“Ky—” I make out more this time, but I don’t think he hears me. He’s still asking the woman why I’m not awake.

“Kyle,” I croak out.

“Kyle, look,” another voice rings out.Patience?Is she in our bedroom?

“Riley, baby?”

I fight like hell to push my eyelids all the way up. A groan escapes my lips from the effort, but I somehow manage. Everything in front of me is blurred. I manage a few slow blinks before the images in front of me focus.

“Kyle.” His name comes out with a little more ease this time around. “Wh-What h-happened?”

“You’re awake.” He sounds relieved but the tears streaming down his face spark renewed worry in me.

“I’ll get Eve,” someone says.

His mother.

I follow her movements. That’s when I conclude that we are not in our bedroom. We’re in a hospital room. I’m in the hospital. My body takes this moment to come back online. A wave of pain, emanating from my right leg, courses through me.

“She’s in pain,” Kyle says to the doctor who’s now moved to the other side of the bed. “Give her something,” he insists.

“I have to check her out first. If you could—”

“I’m not going any fucking where,” he insists, taking my hand and holding on for dear life.

I don’t say anything while the doctor and nurse check me over. Kyle never leaves my side. I’m able to answer all of the questions the doctors ask me with relative ease, considering how slow my mind feels like it’s going.

“We’ll get you something for the pain,” the doctor assures me.

“Aunt Riley!” Eve says as she rushes past the medical staff. The redness in her eyes tears at my heart. “Are you okay?” She approaches but looks as if she’s scared to touch me.

The memory of what happened resurfaces.

Walking out of the store.

Me watching my Ladybug look so happy as she crossed the street singing a song she made up.

Kyle trailing a few feet behind because he’d left his wallet.

And then the sound of rubber tires and a loud engine as it barreled toward my niece.

“Come here, Ladybug.”

She falls into my arms and starts sobbing. “I was so scared. Kyle said you would be okay, but it’s been almost a whole day since your surgery.” Her tears soak the thin fabric of my hospital gown.

When my eyes meet Kyle’s, he also has the same redness in his eyes. I extend my hand to his.

“I’m fine. Nothing’s going to happen to me.” I say it for the both of them. “Just a few broken bones.”

Mainly in my right leg. A sprained wrist and a slight concussion. All in all, it could’ve been a hell of a lot worse.

“Are you sure?” Eve asks as she stands again.

“Positive. Come cuddle with me,” I tell her.

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