I woke up to the sound of thunder. I hadn’t realized I fell asleep until I peered over at Adam, who munched on some chocolate chip cookies and watched a video on his phone. It was like waking from a fever dream. Voices drifted over to me from whatever he watched as I shivered, pulling the cover closer.
“You feeling okay?” Adam paused his video and rubbed my arm.
“Yeah, I guess so. Nothing hurts bad. Did I say anything weird?” I asked.
He frowned. “Huh? Nah, you were just sawing logs over there. Why? Did you have a nightmare?”
“I don’t know. I can’t remember. I don’t even remember falling asleep.” I rubbed at my eyes, yawning.
“Strange. But I guess it’s good that you’re getting rest,” Adam replied. “The nurse came and checked in on you a few minutes ago. Said everything was looking good. They’ll probably move you to the general ward tomorrow morning.”
“Does that mean I’ll get to go home soon? I want to lay in my own bed.” I pouted.
“I don’t know. I guess it all depends on how you’re healing.”
Resting got boring quick. I wanted to run out into the rain and search for the person responsible for hurting me. I liked to imagine hitting him with my car, flatten his face into the pavement like a mushy pancake.
Adam did his best to keep me entertained, but being restricted to such a small room felt like a prison. At least he didn’t pace everywhere like my brother did. I swore Emmett would’ve been crawling up the walls had I not kicked him out.
I checked my phone for new messages, noticing two from my mom about ten minutes ago. They’d just arrived in New Syracuse.
“Looks like you’ll get a chance to go home and shower,” I said. “Mom and Dad are almost here.”
“Do I stink that bad?” He chuckled. “I guess that wouldn’t be such a bad thing. I can grab you some more clothes and whatever else you need. Maybe you’d even want your favorite pillow to feel more comfortable?”
“Yes, please bring it.”
“I will.”
Adam deserved to go home and rest himself. He must be so tired. He needed to get out of those blood-stained clothes too.
It wasn’t long before my parents arrived. Dad held the door open for Mom so she could wheel her wheelchair inside. They greeted Adam and hurried over to my bedside, bombarding me with questions about what happened.
My folks met my boyfriend when I brought him down to their new house in Lincoln, Nebraska, for Thanksgiving last year. I’d been hesitant about introducing them, but got a pleasant surprise when they both seemed to like him.
“This is your dumbass brother’s fault, isn’t it?” Dad asked, scratching at his goatee.
I sighed. “No, Emmett’s not responsible for this.” I don’t think.
“I told you repeatedly to abandon that moron. Look where it’s gotten you by following him here. Come move in with us, sweetie. You know we’ve got a spare bedroom. Bring your boyfriend too. The place is big enough for you both,” Dad said. “Lincoln has an excellent police department too. Maybe you could even get a desk job there, Adam.”
“I appreciate the offer,” Adam told him. “But I’ve got my duties here in New Syracuse.”
“Oh, but you’d be serving a bigger community there. I have a buddy on the force who could even help get you a job. He told me they’ve even got a Keurig there. I bet NSPD has coffee that tastes like shit.”
Mom grabbed his arm. “Honey, quit pestering the man.” She gave me an apologetic smile. “You know how he gets. He hates this place.”
“Out of anywhere that dumbass boy of ours had to go, why New Syracuse?” Dad asked. “Why did he even get a college degree? He’s just dealing dope. That doesn’t even require a high school degree.”
“Jacob! Hush your mouth.” Mom scowled.
“It’s the damn truth, and I ain’t afraid to say it. I bet someone from his group of thugs did this to our baby girl. Where’s the dumbass at, Adam? He needs a good pop in the mouth,” Dad threatened.
I was getting a migraine. Maybe it would be better if Adam stayed longer.
“Adam needs to get home and rest a while,” I said. “I don’t know where Emmett’s at, and it doesn’t matter. I’m just happy y’all are here now.”
“Call me if you need anything, honey.” Adam leaned down and kissed me on the lips. Had my parents not been there in the same room, it would’ve been more passionate.
“I will. See you later,” I said as he walked out the door. I almost considered calling him back in, but I knew better.
“How are you feeling?” Mom’s soothing voice reached my ears as she held my hand.
“Terrible.” I blinked fiercely, as if it would keep the tears at bay.
“I know this must be so difficult, baby. But you’re strong, and you have your family here to help.”
I sniffled. “Why did this have to happen? What did I do to make someone hate me so much?”
Mom reached out to hug me. I moved closer to the edge of the bed to meet her embrace and cry on her shoulder as she rubbed my back.
“I don’t know, Everly.” She lowered her voice, whispering, “Whoever did this will pay, do you hear me? If Karma doesn’t come for the bastard, then I will.”
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