“Wh-what?” I swallow down the lump that’s forming in my throat. I know I’m damaged, but I thought… well, I’m not sure exactly what I thought. That maybe I’d wake up and everything would be a dream.
“You gotta do some extensive rehab. Lucky for you, your uncle is the best in the country.”
“My uncle is booked solid.”
He waves me off as if he’s not. “I’m always free for you, Peyton.”
“Right, back to this rehab.”
“Hi, Peyton, I’m Dr. Colby.” A woman walks in carrying a clipboard. Behind her are two nurses who are flanking my bed. “I want to say you’ve surprised everyone in the hospital with your survival and I want to apologize for my colleague’s behavior during surgery. He should’ve treated you better. With that said, because of the extent of your injuries we need to take you to surgery.”
The lump I had earlier when Xander mentioned Los Angeles, is back only now it’s ten times larger. I look at my parents for confirmation. My dad looks pissed off and my mom looks sad. “I don’t understand.”
“We need to reset your bones in your arm and leg. Flush the wounds on the right side of your body. Make sure your sutures are healing along your torso and head.”
“And I have to have surgery to do this?”
“Yes, it’s the safest way.”
“But… but...” I don’t get a chance to finish my sentence before one of the nurse’s slips the oxygen mask over my face. The heart monitor starts beeping rapidly and my mother’s face is masked with concern. Before I realize what’s happening, my bed is yanked from the wall and portable machines are set down next to me. The doctor leads the way out of the room, and my parents are on either side of me. I desperately want to hold their hands, but it’s all but impossible.
We come to a set of double doors, where Elle and Ben are standing. Ben leans down and kisses me on my forehead because it’s literally the only spot that doesn’t hurt on my body aside from having a headache.
“I’ll be the first one to sign your cast,” Elle says. I know she’s trying to make me feel better, but I could honestly do without a cast, although I have a feeling the doctor was sugarcoating my injuries. I can’t feel or move my leg. That’s not normal.
My parents are by my side through the ride down in the elevator, until we get to another set of doors. “If you’ll wait here, as soon as I’m done, I’ll be out,” the doctor says to my parents.
Mom removes my mask and kisses me on the lips. My dad opts for my cheek. He whispers, “Don’t cry, baby girl.” I hadn’t realized I was until he mentioned it.
“I’m scared.”
He cups my face and looks into my eyes. “Dr. Colby is the best. We brought her in from UCLA for you. She’s going to take care of you. Mom, Elle and I will be right here.”
“Where’s Quinn?”
“He’ll be here, I promise.” Dad doesn’t exactly answer my question. He and Mom both kiss me again and continue to tell me they love me as I'm pushed into an operating room. The staff filters around me, no one is talking or making eye contact with me. It makes me wonder if they’re upset they have to work with a doctor who isn’t on staff here. It also has me questioning how is this possible and what did my dad have to do to make this happen.
“I’m going to lay you back, Peyton.” One of the nurses says. “Your dad told me you’re a football fan. Why don’t you give me a list of your favorite players?”
“Mason Powell,” I say even though she has no idea who he is. “Noah…”
This time when I wake, there isn’t any music to soothe the panic, but I can see the Chicago skyline from my room. My leg is suspended in the air and my arm is bent and resting on my chest, only I can’t really feel my chest at the moment. I try to wiggle my toes, but the effort is too much. The soft sound of breathing catches my attention and when I look, there’s a familiar head of hair and pressure on my hip I hadn’t felt before.
I would know Noah’s hair anywhere. When he lets it grow, which he always does for football season, there’s a slight curl to the top. I run my fingers through it, praying that my IVs don’t get caught. He moans softly and rolls his face into my non-injured leg. When his eyes open, he seems shocked.
“You’re awake.”
“For a few minutes now.” I also notice my oxygen mask is off but can feel air being pumped into my nose. I’m tempted to touch whatever contraption is on my face, but that would mean taking my hand away from where it dropped next to Noah’s.
“I should go wake your parents.” He stands but stops at the sound of my voice.
“Please don’t,” I plead. “Just stay, for a while.”
Noah turns and looks at me. Something is different, but I can’t put my
finger on it. He leans forward, bracing a hand on either side of my head and kisses me on the lips, lingering there longer than what would be considered friendly.
When he pulls away, he sits back down and takes my hand in his. “You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to do that.”