Colt
Waiting.
It’s all I seem to be doing these days, but at least this time I know she’s alive and nearby. I’m at the hospital, and instead of sitting with the others across the room, I’m standing at a window overlooking the busy street below. It’s dark outside now that night has fallen, and the rain on the streets are reflecting all the lights, causing everything to gleam.
It was an immense relief at the time, but now I’m feeling uncertain. I stare out into the wet night, a grimness settling over me. Gabe, Channing, and I are on Quinn’s emergency contact list, so the doctor had been able to give us updates on Quinn.
Shit.
What she must’ve gone through.
My biggest fear had been eased when the doctor had assured us that she hadn’t been raped. But the rest of what she’d endured…
I rub the back of my neck, concerned that I might fuck up or do something wrong when I see her. Right now, Bryce is in with her getting her statement. When he’s finished, only one of us will be allowed to go in and see her since it’s late, and everyone agreed that it should be me.
My chest tightens as I think of the pain she’d suffered. She’d been severely dehydrated when they’d brought her in, and because of the many stitches she would need, the doctor had lightly sedated her. She’d lost a lot of blood, but not enough that she’d needed a transfusion. Unfortunately, she’s also battling an infection, so she’s on a few medications right now to control it. We’d been warned by the doctor that she’d be in and out of it tonight, and depending on how she’s doing tomorrow, they’ll consider releasing her.
“Hey man,” I hear Bryce say, resting his hand on my shoulder.
I start slightly and turn, surprised that I hadn’t heard him enter the waiting room.
“Tired. I got everything I need, but I’ll have to check in with her tomorrow and see if there’s anything else she wants to add to her statement.”
I nod, knowing that’s wise if she’s as out of it as the doctor was saying.
Bryce holds out a business card to me, and I automatically accept it. “What’s this?” I ask.
“She’s going to need counseling. I didn’t want to bring it up since she’s been through enough the past few days, but when she’s feeling better, I suggest you approach the topic with her.” His eyes are serious as he holds mine. “What she went through was traumatizing, and I’ve had enough experience in this line of work to know that she’s going to need to talk to someone. You need to make certain she gets the help she needs, Colt.”
I nod, tucking the card in my pocket. “I will,” I assure.
“Are you ready to see her? I’ll take you to her room before I head out.”
As much as I want to see her, I find myself hesitating.
Bryce frowns. “Colt?”
“What if she doesn’t want to see me?” I hear myself asking.
“Why wouldn’t she?”
“She’s been through a lot…”
He squeezes my shoulder. “She needs you now more than ever. You’re probably exactly what she needs right now. Come on,” he says, steering me towards the waiting room doorway.
Bryce leads me a few hallways down to Quinn’s hospital room doorway, and then he gives me a nod and walks away. His next stop will be the police department so he can begin processing and filing all the paperwork. He’ll be pulling another all-nighter, and I don’t know how he does it.
Now that I am with her, and she’s in my line of sight, I feel all the uncertainty from earlier fading away. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stay by her side until someone physically forces me out of this room.
I walk to the single chair in the corner, and as quietly as I can, I move it beside the bed and sit down. Her hand is resting near her hip, and I gaze at it. All her nails are broken and jagged. She’s not going to be happy about that. Or at least the old Quinn would be miffed. I’m not sure how she’ll react now, because I’m certain everything has changed. I continue staring at her hand, wanting to touch her in some way but not wanting to disturb her.
When she makes a soft, distressed sound in her sleep, I quickly stand and hover over her, noting that a small wrinkle has appeared between her eyebrows. I touch her pale cheek tenderly. “You’re okay,” I soothe, aching to take away all her pain.
Her eyelashes immediately flutter open, and she blinks a few times until her brown eyes focus on mine. I watch as an inner light filled with joy and relief flickers deeply within those depths, revealing everything I’d been hoping for. “Colt,” she breathes, and her lips tilt up into a small smile.
I return her smile with one of my own. “Hey.”
Her eyes search mine, and now I can’t seem to read what she’s thinking. She licks her lips and reaches for my hand, slipping her fingers between mine. “I love you,” she murmurs. “It was one of my regrets when I thought I was going to die. There was so much more that I wanted to say to you, to share with you,” she says, her voice weak but filled with certainty.
The world has fucking settled into place around me, and I feel like I’ve finally got a grip on my future and where my life is headed. I squeeze her hand and lean down, brushing my lips ever so gently across hers. “I love you, too. I’ve been in love with you for years,” I tell her, pulling back to watch her reaction.
She gives me a smile that is all Quinn—cockiness and sass. “I know.”
Her earlier sass fades, and I can tell she’s becoming tired once more. “Hold me, Colt.”
I glance at the bed, feeling uncertain. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Get over here already,” she mumbles, turning onto her side and wincing with pain.
Very carefully, I climb into the bed and spoon her from behind, careful of the IV connected to her arm. She releases a satisfied sigh, and her body immediately relaxes into mine. I’m so relieved to have her back in my arms again, and I press a gentle kiss to the crown of her head. It’s also a relief to know that she’s still Quinn, but there will be some changes that I’ll have to adjust to, and I’m okay with that. We’ll get through it together.
When a nurse comes in to check on Quinn, her eyes widen when she sees me in the hospital bed, and when she begins to frown, I give her a glare that warns her I’m not moving a goddamn inch.