Page 10 of Protective Love

It's been hours since I first opened my eyes and since then, I've been poked, prodded and moved out of my room for multiple scans.

I haven't seen Sophia or the pretty nurse, Rory, since then either, and I can't help but wonder where they've gone.

Something tells me that I may have scared off the nurse due to gripping onto her hand for hours, but it's not like I had any control over it.

I mean, I probably would've held onto her for longer if I did have any control over myself, but that's beside the point.

The door to my room swings open and my eyes shoot over to the doorway, hoping to see Rory walking in, but instead, I internally groan when I see Kaleb, Sophia's boyfriend walk into the room with a smirk on his face.

"Well, well, well. I knew you'd wake up sooner or later," he chimes, walking towards my bed and planting himself beside me as his eyes scan my face. "I told Sophia that you would be back to annoying us in no time."

I attempt to roll my eyes, but I have no idea if I'm successful with doing so.

"Honestly, though, thank you for being a fighter and pulling through. I know this may sound selfish, but I needed you to, because if you didn't, I know my girl would've been distraught and I honestly have no idea if I would've been able to help her."

My eyes fall shut as a swarm of emotions flood through me from his words.

"Blimey. Never thought I would've seen the day where you were being nice to Jaylen," Sophia says, walking into the room and startling Kaleb.

He shrugs his shoulders and glances between us both as she walks over to stand at his side.

"Well, according to you, he saved my life, so I kind of owe him." He turns to me with narrowed eyes. "Don't think that means I'll be like this all the time, though. I still don't like you very much."

Sophia jabs him in the ribs and scowls at him.

"What? He knows I'm only joking,dolcezza."

If I could laugh right now, I'd probably scare the whole hospital ward with how loud it would be, because there is no way that fucker is joking, and judging by the way Sophia shakes her head and pushes past him, I think it's clear to say she knows he wasn't either.

"How are you feeling? Are you in pain?" she asks, gently placing her hand on my arm and leaning over my bed, examining me with curious eyes.

"He can't answer you," Kaleb states from somewhere behind her.

"No shit, Sherlock. I don't expect him to talk to me. I'm hoping he'll blink to answer me."

"Then shouldn't you state how many blinks he needs to do for him to be able to answer you?"

She rolls her eyes and glares at him over her shoulder.

"You have a point, but there's no need to be a dick about it, Kaleb. Carry on and you'll be sleeping in your old bedroom tonight."

He chuckles and wraps his arm around her waist, pulling her against his chest and ducking his head down into the crook of her neck as he whispers something in her ear causing her to giggle and blush.

I avert my eyes and cringe when I hear the tell-tale sound of them kissing.

"Okay, stop it now. Go and get us a drink or something and let me try and talk to my cousin," she says breathlessly.

I keep my eyes on the empty chair beside my bed until I hear Kaleb walk away and shut the door behind him, then I look back over at Sophia.

The smile on her face is wide and bright, and the way her eyes are practically shining with happiness has my heart melting inside my bruised chest.

"Okay, let's try this again now that he's gone," she says, carefully sitting on the edge of my bed and pulling my hand into her lap, encasing it with hers. "Right, blink once for yes and twice for no, okay?"

I blink once, and when she smiles, I feel relieved to know that for once, my body is doing exactly what I want it to.

"Thank God! Okay, tell me, are you in any pain?"

I focus on each part of my body, assessing myself and when I only feel a slight shooting pain in my chest every time I breathe out, I blink twice,telling her no.