Page 32

Chapter 32

Lila

I never truly appreciated how tired a person can be. Even when I’m only lying in bed with my eyes closed, unable to function, I still feel like my body might implode from complete exhaustion.

When the nurse comes in to take my vitals, I have to wake up and move. Though I’m exhausted, I feel a lot better. My injuries still hurt, but I don’t feel like I’m riding the edge of death anymore.

After my nurse leaves, Macy stirs from her chair. She rubs her eyes and yawns before checking her phone screen.

“What time is it?” I ask. My voice is still hoarse and horrid, but it doesn’t hurt too much now.

“Almost seven AM,” Macy says. “I talked to the nurse while you slept; she said you’ll be discharged today, but you’ll need to see a wound care specialist at home for a while.”She stops when she reads something on her phone, confused.

“What is it?” I ask.

She smiles slightly. “It’s a message from Asher.”

She passes the phone, and I take it in my bandaged hands.

Hey Sunshine,

I wish I never left, but I think I needed to. A man’s gotta hit rock bottom before he can better himself, and I dug myself a deep hole. I’ll never be able to make up for everything that’s happened, but I hope you’ll let me try. I’m not going anywhere.

-Ash

“Oh my… god…”

“I think I like him more now,” Macy says softly.

“Could you write a message for me?” I can’t with my hands bandaged the way they are.

Macy takes the phone from me and waits for me to speak. There are a hundred things I could say to Asher right now, but it all boils down to one simple sentence I don’t know if I believe in yet. But even false hope is hope.

Everything’s going to be okay.