Chapter Three

SIMON

“I’ll wait a bit,” I say as I lower myself back into my chair in the corner. Magnolia doesn’t reply though, because she’s already drifting back to sleep. Poor thing, she has to be so damn exhausted. With a quick glance at my watch, I note the time, reminding myself to wake her up in an hour to make sure she’s still alert and aware.

To pass the time, I shoot Drake a text. He’s more like a brother than a friend, has been by my side through every up and down in my life—and there have been a lot. Even when his parents divorced and he moved with his mom to fucking Arkansas, we stayed close, talking on the phone or messaging on AOL Instant Messenger daily.

Some people might think that’s weird—two dudes talking on the phone every day. Lord knows my dad did. He beat the snot out of me after that first long-distance bill came in. He wailed on me real good, not giving one shit that I was barely twelve years old. He called me every name in the book, taunted me, asked if I was talking to my boyfriend.

The day that man dropped dead, a weight like no other lifted off my shoulders. I didn’t feel an ounce of anything other than relief. Wonder what that says about me…

After that beat-down, Drake made sure he called me or we chatted online. The day he moved back home was one of the best damn days of my life—and his too, seeing as how he met his girl, Azalea, that day, though they didn’t know it then. Hell, maybe they did, but either way, Drake fought tooth and nail for her heart, and he finally fucking got it.

Not two minutes after I texted Drake to check in, my screen lights up with his incoming call, and I run my thumb across the screen to answer. “Hey.”

“How is she? Want us to come up there?” Drake asks, sounding worried.

“Banged up, a few cuts and bruises, and a concussion. They’ll be discharging her in a little while, so y’all just go on home. She’s resting, and I kinda want to be alone.”

“I hear ya. I’ll tell everyone. You send Seraphine home too?”

“I did.” Honestly, I feel slightly guilty about it. After all, she’s Magnolia’s cousin, her only family down here, aside from her uncle Dave, Seraphine’s dad. “I’ll update y’all tomorrow.”

“All right, let me know if y’all need anything before then.”

“Will do, brother, and thank you, so fucking much.” I end the call and pull up the Super Bowl stats on my phone, not really caring about the game, but needing the distraction. Good news: my team’s winning.

I watch Magnolia sleep for a little bit, not caring if I look like a total creep. Just over two hours have passed when the discharge nurse knocks on the door, waking Magnolia. Without waiting for a reply, the nurse steps into the room. “Are you ready to get out of here?”

“Yes!” Magnolia and I say together, though her voice is groggy.

“Wonderful. I just have a bit of paperwork.” The nurse turns to face me. “Hon, why don’t you run down to the gift shop and grab this lovely lady some clothes to wear home?”

I nod and set off to do just that. When I return to the room, I pass the bag of clothes to the nurse and step back out, giving Magnolia the privacy to get changed. While waiting, I shoot a text to Seraphine, letting her know we are just about ready to go.

“All good,” the nurse says, sticking her head out into the hall.

I rejoin them in the room and watch as Magnolia fills out and signs her discharge paperwork. Once her i’s are dotted and her t’s are crossed, the nurse steps out into the hall and grabs a wheelchair, which she promptly helps her into. Together, we all set off for the elevator.

I punch the down arrow, and we wait in silence for the elevator car to arrive. As we descend, the nurse goes over Magnolia’s care instructions one last time and tells us that her discharge packet contains the instructions as well, in case we need a refresher.

“Simon!” Magnolia cries out as we head for the main exit of the hospital.

“What?” I ask, searching her face for any clue as to why she’s so alarmed.

“Your truck! H-how’re we gonna get—”

“Don’t you worry about a thing,” I say just as Seraphine pulls under the covered circle drive.

“How did she know to come?” Magnolia asks.

“I texted her while you were gettin’ changed and let her know you’d be cut loose soon. Talk about good timing.” I wink, loving the smile she gives me in return.

Once Seraphine is parked, I open the passenger side door before stepping back to allow the nurse to assist her into the vehicle. After double-checking that she’s settled, I situate myself into the cramped back seat.

“So, where to?” Seraphine asks as she shifts from park to drive.

“My place,” I say, but Magnolia is quick to argue.

“I promise that isn’t necessary, Simon. Seraphine, you can drop Simon off at his place and then take me home.” I love the confidence she has when talking to her cousin. It gives me hope that maybe one day that stutter of hers will disappear when talking to me—I mean, to our friends…to all of us.

Seraphine catches my eye in her rearview mirror, and I subtly shake my head.

“But Simon said you had a concussion. Won’t you need someone to watch over you?”

“I can set an alarm on my phone,” Magnolia replies. Stubborn girl.

“Yeah, you could,” Seraphine says, and I tense up, not liking where this is headed one bit. “But, is your alarm gonna be able to help you if you get dizzy and fall?” My muscles slowly unclench, knowing Magnolia won’t have a comeback for that.

“I suppose you’re right. Maybe I could stay with you—”

It’s almost like they’ve forgotten I’m sitting back here, and that’s okay. I’m more than interested in Seraphine’s reply, not to mention, we’re well over halfway to my house—no point in turning back now.

“Mags, I’d love to say yes, but with Dad being the way he is, it’s probably not the best idea. Plus, Simon has that big house all to himself. He’s got plenty of room for you to stay with him.”

Magnolia makes like she’s going to turn to look at me, but the motion causes her to wince and face forward again. “Are you s-sure, Simon?”

“Positive, Goldilocks.” In the mirror’s reflection, I see Seraphine smirk at my nickname for Magnolia. With hair that looks like spun sunshine, I think it’s pretty damn fitting.