Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“He’s going to be okay, Gabs. I promise. Though, he may be in surgery when we get there,” he says, nodding in confirmation.
“Surgery?” The panic starts to creep in.
“Let’s get our shoes on and grab your purse. Your sister will be here any minute.”
Numbly, I do as instructed and slip on a pair of shoes. When I make my way to the door, I find Colton in the doorway, holding it open for my sister. She runs up the sidewalk. “Go. I’ve got Milo,” she commands, slipping around Chase’s brother and pulling me into her arms. “Call me when you get there.”
I nod before Colton takes me by the hand and leads me to the garage where my car is parked. “Thank you!” he hollers to my sister before climbing behind the wheel. Gwen stands at the doorway, watching us leave, her phone pressed to her ear. She’s probably talking to her husband, letting him know she made it here safely.
Husband.
My mind flashes to Chase. What the hell happened to him? Is he really okay? Obviously, something is wrong if he’s in surgery, but what? I start to pray for him, for his survival. My hand goes to my abdomen, where our child grows. I don’t want to do this alone. I want Chase by my side, always. We have plans. A wedding, a baby to prepare for. There’s too much to prepare for, too much to do.
I can’t lose him.
We are just getting started.
Chapter Twenty
Chase 20
* * *
My eyes flutter open, and I survey the room. I’m in the hospital. I remember the nurse waking me in recovery; she said everything went fine. Looking down at my left leg, it’s bandaged, and right now, I’m not feeling any pain. I glance at my IV and I’m sure they’re giving me the good stuff. I do have a broken ankle, after all.
Gabby is sleeping in the chair, her head cocked to the side in an unnatural state, and I know she’s going to be sore from sleeping like that. “Gabs,” I say, trying to get her attention. My voice is hoarse. I hate to wake her, but the longer she stays that way, the worse it’s going to be on her.
Her eyes fly open and she sits up straight. When she sees me awake, her mouth tilts up just a bit. “Hey.” She stands and comes to the bed. “How are you feeling? You need me to get the nurse?”
“I need you to come closer,” I rasp. She does as I ask, and I press a kiss to her lips. Just what the doctor ordered.
“I was so scared. They said possible surgery, but nothing else. My mind went crazy wondering what happened.” She glances down at my ankle. “How did this happen, Chase?”
“Someone left a barbell in the middle of the floor. We were coming out of the breakroom and I was talking to a few of the guys. I wasn’t looking where I was going and tripped over it. Landed wrong.”
“I’m just glad you’re going to be okay. They had to put a pin in your ankle, but they said you should make a full recovery. You’re going to be off that leg for several weeks. Like six to eight, if not longer.”
“We’ll figure it out,” I tell her. I’m pissed off that I wasn’t watching where I was going, but then again, the damn thing shouldn’t have been sitting in the middle of the walkway either. “What time is it?”
She glances at her phone. “Just after four.”
“Why don’t you go home and get some rest? I’m fine.” The pregnancy has been draining her energy; she needs her rest.
“No. If you’re here, I’m here. Harrison knows I’m not leaving you.”
“Then get in here with me.” I manage to scoot over to give her some room with minimal movement to my leg. Not that I can feel it anyway.
“They’re releasing you in the morning. The only reason they kept you was because you were brought into the emergency room and it was late when the surgery was over. I’ll be fine, just rest. I need you better.”
“Gabby, get your cute ass in this bed. You’re exhausted, and so am I. I’ll be able to sleep with you in my arms.” I know I’ve got her. She wants me to rest, I can see it. I watch her as she toes off her shoes and sits on the edge of the bed. She lies down facing me, and she looks as though she’s about to fall off the bed.
“Come here, baby,” I whisper. Holding my arm in the air, she slowly moves to align her body with mine. I wrap my arm around her and reach for her, but the IV limits my movement. Instead, I use the arm that’s around her to pull her as close as I can get her.