Fight Me(44)

I sit back down in my chair and Avery comes over and sits next to me. She laces her hand within mine and leans her head against my shoulder. I feel the warmth of friendship wash over me, something I’ve never really felt before. I’ve had friends before, but this feels different. This feels deeper.

“He’s going to be okay,” she whispers.

“Yes. He is,” I reply as I close my eyes and rest my head against hers.

“He’s too stubborn to really hurt himself too much,” she adds with a smile.

I laugh at the truth in her statement. I look down at our linked hands and realize I have tan and chocolate brown paint all over my hands. When I sit up straighter, I realize I’m covered in paint. I’m a hot mess! I’m wearing a pair of big, baggy sweatpants and a sweatshirt that doesn’t even match.

“Oh my God, do you have a mirror?” I ask with a panic.

Avery reaches for her bag and pulls out a compact mirror. When I flip it open, I’m shocked by my unruly appearance. My hair is pulled up in a crazy bun that has pieces of hair sticking out every which way. I’m wearing no make-up and have dark paint splattered all over my face. I am a walking disaster!

I groan at my appearance as I snap the compact shut and hand Avery back the mirror.

“You look fine,” she says.

“I look like a disaster!”

“You were in a bit of a hurry when you left the house, Erin. I take it you were painting?”

“Yeah, I was painting my office. I was just starting the second coat when you called. I should head home and clean up.”

“No way! You’re not leaving.”

“I’ll let you guys all spend some time with him and then I’ll come back up and visit later. You guys need some family time.”

“You are family, too, Erin. Whether you and Jake see it yet or not, you are a part of this family, too.”

Since I don’t really know how to respond, I don’t. A few minutes later, a young nurse comes into the waiting room and tells us that Jake is ready for visitors. His parents take off down the hallway after the nurse, followed closely behind by his brothers, sister, Maddox, and Brooklyn. I hang back a little bit, not wanting to impose on their family time.

“Get up here,” I hear Maddox say. When I look up, he’s turned around at the threshold of an open doorway and waiting for me. “He’s going to want to see you most of all.” Maddox gives me a knowing grin and walks into the room.

As I approach the doorway, I see Jake’s parents lean down and giving him huge hugs and kisses. Brooklyn is trying to get up on the bed, but Maddox grabs her and holds her just out of reach so she can’t grab a hold of Jake and hurt him any further. Will, Travis, and Nate all shake his good hand – which fortunately is his right hand - and go to stand over in the corner. Avery practically jumps on the bed causing Jake to wince in pain at the impact of her body against his. Maddox gently pries her off of her brother and bends down to hug his friend.

When Jake looks up and sees me standing in the doorway, my heart stops beating. Our eyes lock in the most intense moment of my life. I love him. Seeing him laying in that hospital bed, IV hooked up to his arm, bandages wrapped around part of his head and his arm, I realize that I am so over the top in love with Jake Stevens that I can’t even think straight. My heart squeezes and crashes against my chest as I take in his slightly battered features.

Jake reaches his good hand out towards me, and that’s when the tears finally come. Relief washes over me like a summer rainstorm as I stare into his beautiful crystal blue eyes. I slowly make my way towards him, no longer aware that there are other people in the hospital room. As I reach out and take his extended hand, he pulls me down onto his bed next to him. He reaches up and gently wipes away the tears on my face.

“Hi,” he says with a small smile.

“Hi,” I reply, still staring deep into his eyes. “Are you okay?”

Jake pulls me against his big broad chest and wraps his uninjured arm around my shoulders. “I’m perfect now,” he says as he inhales my hair deeply.

The Stevens family stays and visits with Jake for another hour until everyone is starting to get hungry. “Come on everyone. Let’s head to the Café to grab dinner since the one I was making at home probably isn’t edible anymore. Jake, can we bring you back something to eat, dear?”

“No thanks, Mom. I’m going to get some rest. Thanks, though.”

One by one, the entire group goes over to Jake and gives him a hug or a handshake. When everyone has filed out of the room, Elizabeth turns to me. “You coming, dear? You’re more than welcome. I’m sure you’re starving too.”