She refused to feel guilty when she saw how worried they were. Tate’s face was haggard, and he had aged at least ten years in a matter of weeks. She braced herself for their harsh words, but was ill-prepared when Tate didn’t hesitate to jerk her into his arms, holding her close. When he finally released her, she was enfolded in Greer’s then Dustin’s embrace.
“I’m going to give you an old-fashioned butt whippin’ for scaring the shit out of me, Rach,” Tate threatened.
She didn’t get angry; she could tell he had taken her disappearance hard.
“I’m not sorry I left, Tate. You needed to cool down. You don’t have the right to talk to me that way. And Greer, your behavior humiliated me in front of my friends, and it’s not the first time. You need to get your act together. Dustin, you’re a father now; you’re too old to be picking fights and should be setting an example for your son. You’re letting Holly raise your child and set all the limits. Is that how you want to raise Logan? Tate, you told me that Mom and Dad would be ashamed by my behavior, but I don’t think my behavior is the one who would be shaming them.
“Not a one of you have tried to do anything but sell weed. Is that the legacy we’re going to leave Logan; another generation running from the law, living on the outskirts of society? Until you three get your act together, I don’t want to talk to you.”
She left her three brothers standing there with their mouths open.
* * *
“We decreased his medication so he’s in more of a deep sleep versus a coma.”
Rachel stood behind the large group of bikers as they listened to Cash’s doctor explain his condition.
“His spinal injury is quite severe, and we’re going to begin to wean him off the ventilator.” The doctor paused. “I do not anticipate him walking again.”
At his proclamation, several of the women began crying. Viper put his arms around Winter, Knox pulled Diamond closer, and Evie turned to King. Everyone there stood stupefied at the doctor’s prognosis that the consequences of the wreck would be life-changing for Cash.
The Last Riders began making plans as soon as the doctor left.#p#分页标题#e#
“We can put him downstairs. It’s accessible with a wheelchair and has the exercise equipment and hot tub,” Viper stated.
“I’ll call Donna as soon as he’s out of the rehab center,” Winter said.
Cash was loved by this group of people who he had made his family.
Lily and Beth both came to stand by her side after the others had left.
“Don’t you ever do that to me again.” Lily’s tearful voice brought a sheen to her own eyes. “You could have at least called me.”
“I’m sorry, Lily.”
Lily’s bright smile appeared, and Rachel was grabbed in a tight hug before she was released and grabbed by Beth.
“Rachel, I understand how you felt. Do you remember how Georgia called me names on Christmas Eve? The men were the ones who made fools of themselves; no one thought badly of you.” Lily’s words struck home.
“I was just so embarrassed. Then I was angry and wanted to get away.”
“I know how you feel. Sometimes, you need to take a step back and let yourself heal before you can face things,” Lily said, squeezing her hand. “Next time, please don’t go off without telling anyone where you are, though.”
“I won’t,” Rachel promised.
“How are the babies?” she asked Beth, changing the subject.
“Growing big.” Beth laughed, showing her pictures on her phone. The twin boys looked just like their father. The chubby babies were both wearing baby Harley t-shirts in the picture.
“Let’s go get some lunch in the cafeteria before you come back,” Beth said, sliding her arm through hers. Lily slid her arm through the other as they made their way through the hospital.
They sat and talked for over an hour, and it was the most normal she had felt since the party. Then Rachel returned to Cash’s room.
She had grown used to the nurses’ curious stares, but Shade had gotten the doctor’s permission for her to stay in the room with him.
Two days later, the prognosis was looking even grimmer.
Cash was free of the coma-inducing drugs, but he had yet to wake. Their efforts to wean him from the ventilator had led to two serious crises that Rachel had been afraid he wouldn’t pull out of. The latest attempt had been the worst.
The doctor straightened, tired and worn after stabilizing Cash. “You should call his friends and grandmother in to see him. He won’t survive if he crashes again.”
Rachel could only nod as the doctor and nurses left. She walked closer to his bed, looking down at the man she had loved most of her life, and knew she was going to lose him.