“Hey,” I say. My voice doesn’t even sound like my voice. And my throat is on fire.
A cup is placed to my mouth from my blind side and a hand helps me to take a drink of water. I turn my head so I’m able to see the nurse. I didn’t realize he was still here. He’s a slim black man with a kind smile. The water cools my throat and I feel much better. I turn back to Jordyn and try again. “Hey.”
“Hey.” She smiles and a tear streaks down her cheek. I try to raise my hand to wipe it away but my side pinches so painfully, I stop.
“The pain meds are only good for so much. Try not to move a lot,” the man says. “I’ll see if I can find the doctor for you.” He pats my shoulder gently and then leaves the room. I want him to come back. He makes me feel better.
Jordyn kisses the top of my hand.
“I’m so sorry I shoved you,” I say.
She leans down so her lips are barely touching mine. “Shhh,” she says against my mouth.
“Did you follow me?”
“Of course. Then I heard him attacking you from outside and I called the police. I ran in, not really sure what I planned to do, and I saw him beating the shit out of you. I thought he was going to kill you, Tyler.” Her voice cracks.
“You saw?”
She nods.
I look around the room and she seems to understand what I’m looking for.
“He’s in jail.”
Part of me is happy and relieved, but then there’s the other part that knows he needs help, and jail isn’t where he’s going to find it. What happens now? My birthday isn’t for another month and a half.
Jordyn lets my hand drop. “I shouldn’t have listened to you. I should have told my mom or Henry. This shouldn’t have happened.”
“Hey.” I reach out, taking her hand back. But I can’t think of what to say. Because she’s right. I mean, shit. What if he’d hurt her when she came in after me? Or killed her? All my shit about a stupid fucking group home, and I risked her life. How big of an asshole am I?
She wipes her face on her sleeve.
“Tyler, this is Dr. Meyer.” The nice nurse returns followed by a woman with curly, bouncy brown hair and a kind, round face.
“You suffered a ruptured spleen. We didn’t have to remove it, but you’ll have to remain here for another few days so we can monitor it. The rest of your injuries are superficial. Your eye socket was cracked, but there’s not much we can do about that, it’ll heal on its own. You might have bone fragments that will need to be removed at a later date. Just try not to move too much if possible and we’ll have you out of here in no time.” Her words aren’t harsh, but her voice is. It’s nothing like her face. Plus she’s already out of the room before I can process what she’s said.
“Doctors,” the nurse says. “I’m Damon, by the way. Dr. Meyer may not have the best bedside manner, but she’s really good. You’re in excellent hands, my friend.”
“Thanks, Damon,” I say.
“Can I get you anything?” He’s pouring me another cup of water before I even realize that I’m still parched. He holds it to my lips and helps me drink. Being babied by another man should probably be really emasculating, but all I feel is grateful.
Before I know it, it’s dark out. I hear Jordyn protesting, but Kelly’s insisting she needs to sleep, that she’s already missed a day and a half of school and she has to go tomorrow.
A day and a half? It’s been that long?
Kelly sees me watching them and turns to me, smiling. It’s a sad smile. “You just missed Henry. He went to get the car. How are you doing, honey?”
“I’ve been better.”
“I shouldn’t have let you go back there.” Her eyes get glossy, and she blinks quickly. “I always suspected. Your mom was good at covering, but I always thought something was off. I should have done something. Then. Now. I’m so sorry, Tyler.”
“There was—” I grunt, clear my throat. “There was nothing you could do. She would have stood up for him.”
She puts her hand on my knee. “This should never have happened.”
“This was inevitable,” I say.
“Don’t say that.” Jordyn is standing next to Kelly, frowning, angry.
I reach for her hand. “You were right. I’m sorry. I should’ve listened to you. I should have told someone. We could have—”
A mousy redhead pokes her head into the room. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but visiting hours are over.”
“Come on, sweetie. We’ll be back tomorrow. After school,” Kelly says.
Jordyn’s grip on my hand tightens. “You really should go to school tomorrow,” I tell her.
She looks at me like I’m crazy.
“I’ll be okay. I’ve got Damon to keep me company. Just come after, like your mom says.”
Kelly pats my foot and smiles, then puts her arm around Jordyn to lead her out. Jordyn leans over and kisses me, brushing her hand across my cheek. “I love you.”
“I know.” I attempt a smirk.
She smiles back at me.
“I love you too. Go.”
She does.