Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
She has a bandage on her left shoulder and an IV on her right hand. She looks pale and her hair is a mess, but she’s alive. She’s alive. I mean to just lean down, but I end up on my knees with my eyes shut and my head resting on her arm. My throat closes and I grip the bed rail hard as tears start spilling out. I’ve cried more today than I have my entire life, and the reason is obvious. I’ve never loved anything or anyone the way I love her. Not even close.
“God, baby,” I whisper, inhaling shakily. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
“They just took out the breathing tube,” Jackie explains.
“Fuck,” Damian says behind me.
“Why is she not awake?” Olivia asks, slightly panicked.
“She’s heavily sedated. She already was before she got here,” Titus answers. “The nurse said it could be days before she wakes up fully.”
My head snaps up. “Days?”
“It could be hours,” he says. “But she told us not to be alarmed if it takes a couple of days.”
“Oh my God,” Olivia whispers.
“They said talking might help,” Jackie says.
I look at Josslyn again. My Josslyn. My heart. My world. The rest of them keep talking and discussing the physical therapy she’ll need and how she may or may not get to play this season. My heart breaks a little at that possibility. She says basketball isn’t her life, but I know she was looking forward to playing one more season.
“I know you have games—” Titus says.
“I’m not leaving,” I respond, looking at him as I stand up.
“Joss will be fine,” he says. “Jackie will stay overnight.”
I stare at him. Hard. “Well, then I guess we’ll be roommates, because I’m. Not. Leaving.”
His brows shoot up, but he doesn’t challenge me.
“I’m sure Josslyn will appreciate having you here when she wakes up,” Jackie says, smiling softly. “There are two pull-out couches in the living room area.”
We stay there for a while, before Titus goes to visit Tate and Jackie leaves to get a change of clothes. Hammie calls Dame on video and we speak to him and Coach P briefly. Dame agrees to head out tonight for tomorrow’s game. Olivia says she’ll be back in the morning. And finally, it’s just me and Josslyn. I pull up the chair and take her hand slowly, kissing the back of it and stroking it with my thumb. I lean in closer and move the tips of my fingers softly on her scalp.
“I need you to wake up, baby,” I whisper, swallowing past the knot in my throat. “I miss you too much.”
A loud sound makes me jump out of my sleep and blink. It takes me a second to remember everything—Mallory, the guns, the blood, the hospital. The nurse on the other side of the bed smiles warmly.
“Sorry to wake you. I’m just checking her vitals.”
I drag a hand over my face. “What time is it?”
“Eight,” she says. “I don’t know if you had a chance to look over the menu or explore the suite, but you should find everything you need here. If you need anything else, let me know.” She walks over to the board and writes her name down, Shawnell, and looks at me again. “You know there are two pull-out beds right over there, right? I’m sure they’re more comfortable than that flimsy chair you barely fit in.”
I feel my mouth twitch. “I’m sure they are, but I’ll be staying right here, unless you’re going to let me move her to one of those beds.”
She laughs and shakes her head as she walks away. I stretch my back and look around, surprised to see I’m alone. There are a few flower arrangements in the seating area and a familiar duffel bag next to one of the couches. I sag with relief, silently thanking my cousin for always having my back. At some point while Dame and Olivia were still here, one of the nurses brought me a pair of sweatpants and one of his t-shirts for me to change into. I was grateful to be able to shower and change out of the bloody clothes I was wearing.
Despite the clean clothes, I feel like I need another shower and to change into my own things. I pick up Josslyn’s hand and kiss it softly as I stand up. I kiss her cheek first, and place my forehead against hers.
“Wake up, Josie,” I whisper. “Please.”
Maybe pissing her off will wake her up.
The bathroom looks and smells brand new. I didn’t notice much of it last night when I was trying to hurry up and go right back to Josslyn’s side. The morning brings new hope, though. As I take the clothes off, I look around and wonder if my father is planning to get sick and live out the rest of his days here. Whoever maintains this place thought of everything. There are towels and robes and new toothbrushes and toothpaste.