Page 126 of Loving Wild

I wake feeling somewhat better.The room’s still empty and peaceful, but there’s a large gift bag at the side of my bed.

“Your friend Jo dropped that off,” Andrea states as she comes through the door. “Said there are some goodies in there to make you feel human, and that you’ll likely need.”

She uses the buttons to lay me completely flat as she talks.

“Now, let’s get that catheter removed, get you unhooked from the drip and everything else, then I can help you shower, and we’ll see what goodies you’ve got in your bag.

We do all of those things, and less than an hour later I’m sitting back in my bed, freshly showered, hair brushed and piled on top of my head. My body is slathered in my favourite Molten Brown moisturiser, and I’m wearing pink and white candy striped Peter Alexander pyjamas, all of which—including the scrunchy for my hair, a toothbrush, face wipes and moisturiser, deodorant, a bottle of my favourite D&G perfume, and a BB cream and applicator brush—were in the bag Jo had dropped off for me.

Just a few minutes later my mum and sister return with a salad bowl, a burger, a chicken, bacon, and avo wrap, and a large tray of sushi, as well as a coffee.

“Wasn’t sure what you’d fancy, so we bought a bit of everything,” my mum states as she spreads the food out on the table that sits over my bed.”

My sister passes me the takeaway coffee cup. “Thought you might need this, the stuff in these places is usually rank, and I know what a coffee snob you are.”

“You’ve no idea how badly,” I tell her appreciatively as I take the cup from her.

“You look gorgeous by the way, love those jarmies.”

“Thanks, they have pockets,” I explain something to her only a woman would understand the importance of.

“Perfect,” my sister says with a wink. “We got the charger. You tuck in while I plug your phone in.”

Realising how hungry I am, I tuck into the Caesar Salad and a couple of bits of sushi while I wait for my phone to charge. I’m desperate to talk to Gabe, to find out how Ava’s doing, how he’s doing. I’d love for him to be here to meet my family, but totally understand his priority has to be Ava right now.

I’m focusing on not getting food down the front of me when my mum announces, “I don’t feel well. I think it’s food poisoning or a heart attack.”

Vicki stands, pushing her chair back loudly as she moves.

“Mum,” we both say, our voices high pitched with panic and confusion.

“I think I need mouth to mouth,” my mother continues holding the back of her hand against her forehead. “Save me, doctor, you need to come save me,” she looks towards the door and says.

I turn my head to where she’s looking, and he’s there.

Looking tired but absolutely perfect, he is the best kind of medicine a girl could have delivered to her hospital bed.

Gabriel Wild, my saviour.

He’s watching my mum with as much confusion as Vix and I were, his gaze coming to meet mine with a smirk on his face.

A flash of something hits his eyes as he gives me a quick head to toe before finally locking on mine. I watch as his chest moves up and down, but his legs stay planted in the doorway. My mum shuts up, the whole room is silent for a beat as Gabe and I just stare at each other before he finally moves my way.

Five long strides—I count each one—is what it takes before he’s at the opposite side of the bed to my mum and sister. He doesn’t slow when he reaches me. Instead, he lifts me out of the bed, climbs in it, and with his back to my pillows, pulls me into his lap and holds me there.

I feel his chest move beneath me. He remains silent, but I think he’s crying, and I panic that something terrible has happened to Ava. I let him take the time he needs to compose himself enough to talk to me.

“Fuck,” he says against my neck, now wet with his tears.

“Baby, you’re scaring me. Can you tell me what’s wrong?” I ask quietly.

“She’s okay,” I feel him nod his head against me. “She’s awake and okay.”

He finally looks up at me. His eyes look almost navy, the blue’s so dark.

“I’m so sorry, Ren. I wanted to be here, but Lena was in Perth, and I had to wait for her to fly back. I couldn’t leave her. I needed you so fucking bad, but I couldn’t leave Ava.”

“I know, it’s okay. It doesn’t matter. Ava is who you should be with. I’m good, can probably come home tomorrow. Tell me everything, tell me what’s happening with Ava.”