Page 29

Chapter 28

SHYLOH

FOUR WEEKS LATER

“She looks good, doesn’t she, Con?” Lenna asked, standing by Becca’s bed. They had flown out as soon as Lenna was cleared by her doctor. She was pregnant, and her blood pressure was not her best friend.

“The doctors say the swelling on her brain has gone down substantially. They’re pleased with how she’s progressing,” I replied, watching Becca’s chest move up and down. That’s what I had been doing lately, making sure she was breathing.

A conglomerate of tubes and wires ran in and out of her body, keeping her alive. I ensured that when something needed to be switched out or adjusted, it was done correctly. At first, I had annoyed the nurses about my hovering, but over time they’d learned that it’s only because I cared about her, and they appreciated it.

“You know the offer still stands, right?” Conrad asked and my eyes jumped to his. I had been offered a coaching job with the Kings, but I wasn’t ready to leave Becca. I wasn’t going to.

“Thanks, but I want to stay here with her,” I answered, gripping her hand. I felt the burning of eyes on me and when I glanced up, Lenna was staring with a hint of tears in her eyes.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked her.

She gave a tight-lipped smile and glanced briefly at Conrad before answering, “Because I know that look. You love her.”

I nodded slightly, looking back at the beautiful creature lying in the bed. “Yep. I think I do.”

Hours went by, and Lenna and Conrad were ready to say their goodbyes. “We’ll check in with you later, okay?” Conrad said. I hugged them goodbye, and once they were gone, I pulled my chair to Becca’s side, knowing that visiting hours were almost over and I’d be kicked out for what felt like the hundredth time.

Her hand was so cold and limp when I held it in my hands. “They’re about to kick me out again. It’s a shame that they have to fight me every day, so if you could wake up that’d be great.” I chuckled, but another feeling snuck up on me. I cried.

“God, Becca. Please wake up. I want to aggravate you. I want to kiss you. I want— I want so much. Please.” I kissed her hands, and the nurse came in to do our nightly routine of me arguing about not leaving, them threatening security, and me leaving anyway .

I entered my hotel room which was conveniently across the street from the hospital, and flopped on the bed checking my phone. I read different posts about me being offered a coaching position, and text messages from women I didn’t even remember. I made the decision to delete every woman’s number, besides the obvious ones that I needed, and I replied to the head coach’s email.

At this time, I can’t give you an answer. But if you needed one today, it would be no.

Thanks, Coach.

Sincerely,

Shyloh Mendoza

The warmth of the sun was plastered across my face as I realized I must have fallen asleep right after sending the email.

Ugh, what time is it? I looked at the hotel clock and it said eight.

Shit, I’d already missed an hour of visiting time. I quickly showered, brushed my teeth, and threw on clothes when I heard my phone ringing.

I had no idea where it was. I searched the bed, throwing the sheets off of it. The phone rang again. I fell to my knees and finally saw the flashing lights of my phone under the bed.

43 missed calls.

Shit.

1 voicemail.

Hello Mr. Mendoza, this is Doctor Schultz from Las Vegas Medical Center. We need you to come to the hospital right away. Thank you .

Shit. Shit. Shit. What time was this?

6:50 AM

I ran. Ran so damn fast that my legs were burning.

Please be okay. Please be okay.

Finally making it to her hallway I noticed nurses standing near her door, looking at me. I slowed my pace, walking to the door. When I walked in, the doctor was sitting next to Becca, and her nurses were fixing the IVs next to her bed.

When the doctor turned his head around, he revealed an awake Becca. My heart shot through my throat, and I blinked back my tears.

“Ah, there you are, Mr. Mendoza. As you can see, Becca woke up—completely on her own, I might add—but we’ve asked her to take it easy on talking because of the irritation from the tubes. Her throat needs some time to heal.” He stood, patting her hand and she grinned softly at him with tired eyes.

“Could I speak with you a moment before you go in with her? We promise to leave you alone.”

I followed the doctor into the hallway. “We did a scan this morning of Becca’s brain, and everything seems to be okay. Only time will tell how much or if there is any damage. She—she is a miracle.”

Shaking the doctor’s hand, I silently cheered that her scans were normal. She would be okay.

As I walked back into the room, the nurse patted Becca on the legs and told her she’d be back in a little while to check on her .

“Hi,” I said, waving awkwardly and Becca smiled back at me. I walked nervously to the side of her bed and sat down, grabbing her hand which now squeezed mine back.

I wanted to cry. Sob. But I was trying to keep it together.

“I heard you,” a muffled voice said. My eyes flew to Becca’s with confusion.

“What?” was all I could muster.

She gave me a tender smile, reaching her hand up to cup my chin. “I heard everything you said.”

And I lost it. I fell into her chest, wrapping my arms around her, and I cried. Oh my God. I cried like an absolute baby. But she was warm, and she was here. Becca was alive.