Page 69

“No, I’m not. But when she wakes up, I will be.” That’s the only thing keeping me going, Kat waking up.
“She’s going to have a long road to being a hundred percent again. You know that, right?” He’s not lying. She’s going to have an arduous journey to get back to where she was. Not to mention any setbacks with her anxiety and panic attacks.
“I know. And I’ll be there for her, with her, every step of the way. She won’t do this alone. I can promise you that.” Looking him in the eye, I want to make sure he understands I mean every word I’m saying.
He smiles sadly. “I know. You’re a good man, Bryce. I wouldn’t want anyone else standing side by side with my daughter. Thank you for taking care of her and loving her.” Mark’s eyes glisten, and he straightens, clearing his throat.
“Thank you,” I stand and hug him. How can I not? This man just told me how thankful they are that I’m in Kat’s life.
When Liz and Mark leave, I make my way back into Kat’s room. Every time I walk in there, it still makes me sick to see her in that condition.
I do my usual. Bending over, I kiss her forehead and her cheek. Brushing her hair out of the way, I whisper, “I love you, Kitty Kat. I’m here waiting for you.” I pull up the chair and move it next to her. Taking her hand in mine, I lean back against the hardness of the chair and close my eyes.
I dream about our future. Kat and I getting married, her carrying our babies, and us growing old together. Our love is never ending.
Chapter 30
Bryce
Daytwo of Kat in a coma. Forty-eight hours since I’ve had a conversation with Kat. It’s been two days since she could tell me she loved me. Two days since I could fall asleep with her in my arms. Two hellish days since she ended up here on a ventilator, fighting against the injuries from the crash.
I’ve been at her side like I promised to be this entire time. The only time I leave is when her parents are here. That’s their time with their daughter, and I don’t want to interfere with that. I simply run home and shower. No nap, no sleep, no food. Just shower, change, drive back, and wait in the waiting room. Or I’ll go if the doctor needs to examine her. The hospital has made a special case for me to stay with her, and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that.
“Morning, baby.” I lean over and kiss her forehead. As I sit back, I take out my phone and check to see if I have any messages. There are a ton. All wanting to know how she’s doing. Looking through a few, I answer them, then put the phone away for now. Holding her hand, I close my eyes until I hear a knock on the door.
“Hey, man. How’s our girl?” Austin comes in, dressed in his uniform, and looks over at her with his lips turned down. I hate that I’m not out there with him, but he and I know Kat comes first. At least, for me she does.
“Same. She had a minor infection and a bit of a fever, but they pumped her with some stuff, and it seemed to get it all under control.” I squeeze her hand, expecting her to squeeze it back, but I know she can’t.
“Hey, mind if I talk to you outside for a bit? The visitor area, if you don’t mind.” He tilts his head towards the room's direction.
“Sure,” I turn to Kat and kiss her hand. “I’ll be back, baby.” I say softly.
Austin and I walk out to the visitor area, and I see Kat’s parents and Vicki there. I know what I just stepped into: a fucking intervention.
“Now, before you huff and puff and blow the house down, just listen to us, okay?” Austin puts his hand on my shoulder, and I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“Bryce, we love and adore you, but you are no good to our little girl if you’re not taking care of yourself. So, we want you to go home. We want you to eat, shower, and sleep. You don’t have to do it now, but in a few hours, we want you out that door and going home. You need sleep. Bryce, you look like crap.” Liz orders me, and she does not look like someone I even want to think about crossing right now.
She has a serious expression on her face that any mother worried about her kids would have. Even though I’m not her son, she treats me like one, therefore, Liz is giving me the “mom means it” look.
“We’ve all taken the next couple days off work. Austin and myself,” Vicki tells me, coming up to give me a hug. “But all four of us will be here. We’ll all take shifts with her. Well, Austin’s going home with you to make sure you sleep. The rest of us are staying here and rotating our time with her so you can feel more at ease with going home and sleeping.”
“What if something happens and I’m not there?” I protest, my chest instantly filling with anxiety. “I can’t leave her like that. I need to be here for her. She got a fever last night. What if it happens again? What if it’s worse? No, I can’t go.” I shake my head and my mouth forms a thin line. My hands tighten into fists, and my nails press into my palms.
“You can and you will. She’s fine. If—and only if—something happens, we’ll call you immediately.” Liz reassures me, stepping in front of me.
“She wouldn’t leave me if I was in there. She would fight tooth and nail to stay by my side.” My voice trembles. I know that statement to be very true. That woman in there wouldn’t leave my side come hell or high water. “She wouldn’t leave me.”
“Would you want her tired? Hungry? Not feeling her best? No, you wouldn’t. You would want her to go home and rest. Just so we are clear, I’d tell her the same thing I’m telling you. Go. Home. And. Sleep.” Liz punctuates every word. By the look on her face, she will drag me back to my house herself if I don’t cooperate.
Looking back at the door we came from, I nod. Liz is right. I would want her taking care of herself. I look up at Austin, and he tilts his head towards the exit.
“Come on. How about we go get something to eat, then we can head back to your place and you can get some rest?” Austin suggests. His lips draw in tightly, his sympathetic eyes bore into me. I cave.
Walking back into Kat’s room, I stand next to her and let her know I’ll be back.
“I love you, Kitty Kat. I promise I won’t disappear for long. You have our family looking out for you, and I promise I’ll be back soon, sweetheart.” Leaning over her, I brush my lips to her forehead and let a few tears fall. Austin and I walk back out to the waiting room and every step I take away from her makes my stomach twist in pain.