“You and me both, Doc,” I groan.
“We’ll give you some privacy.”My neighbor—Katelyn, if I’m remembering right—takes her son’s hand and pulls him toward the door.As soon as it closes, I shift my attention to the doctor.
“Good news.The lung didn’t collapse again, but you did set yourself back on the healing process quite significantly.”
Fantastic.“What am I looking at?”
“We need to keep you for a few days so we can monitor your oxygen levels, but?—”
“I want to go home.Is a stay necessary?”I’djustgotten free of this place.Am I really going to have to stay longer?Anxiety is already threatening to get the better of me.I hate hospitals.
With a passion.
The stench of death clings to every inch of the halls.Something no amount of sterilization can remove.
Alex hesitates a moment.“Since your lung didn’t collapse again and you’re able to breathe freely on your own, I could send you home tomorrow.But the only way I’m okay with it is if you agree to absolutelynoheavy lifting.No exertion of any kind.Just rest.”
“Deal.”
“And, you need someone to stay with you.”
“Done,” I agree without hesitation.If it means I get to go home, then I’ll allow the good doc himself to follow me home.
“If you feel off in any way, you don’t hesitate to call.”
“I can do that.”Excitement pushes past some of my exhaustion.Home.My bed.My shower.It’s within reach—again.
The door opens, and Sawyer breezes in, a sucker in his mouth and a grin on his face.I am never going to hear the end of this.
“I told you I should have stayed with you,” he says as he stops beside my bed.The humor leaves his face.“You going to live?”
“That’s what the good doctor here says.I get to go home tomorrow.”
“With restrictions,” Alex adds.“And supervision.”
“Well, I’m happy to be your delightful new babysitter,” Sawyer comments as he pulls the sucker from his mouth.It’s a habit he’s taken up recently.Something I’m pretty sure has everything to do with trying to distract himself in any way, now that the woman he’s secretly in love with is in a serious relationship with an FBI agent based out of Savannah, Georgia.“We can even braid each other’s hair.I also happen to give an amazing manicure.”
“Fantastic,” I reply, already regretting my decision.“Maybe Cowboy is up for staying.”
Sawyer snorts.“Why do you hurt me when I show you nothing but love?”He turns to Alex.“You can count on me.”Sawyer offers a mock-salute, then drops down in a chair by the bed.The same one Katelyn was sitting in when I woke up.
I have to admit, I’d much prefer her to be there again.Even given the fact that she pepper-sprayed me in my own apartment.
“Great.Then tomorrow we’ll look you over, and as long as everything looks good, you can head home.”
“Thanks, Alex,” I say.
“You’re welcome.How’s your pain?”
“Manageable.”
“You’re sure you don’t want anything?I wouldn’t let them when you were brought in, but if you’re hurting?—”
“Nah, I’m fine,” I reply, although it’s far from the truth.I hurt worse now than when the blade first pierced my skin.
“Then I’ll be back to check on you later.”He offers me a friendly smile before leaving the room.
I can feel Sawyer staring at me, so I turn toward him, only to see a bright grin on his face.“Want to tell big brother what happened?”