“You think maybe we can leave that part out for now?” I said, earning a confused look from the doctor. “It’s going to be a lot for him to handle when he wakes up. I mean we can tell him about the nerve damage and all, but maybe leave out the ninety-percent.”
“It’s your call, Mr. Travers,” she said. “You were listed as his emergency contact, so I’m going to assume that you have Mr. Sallinger’s best interest at heart. I’m sure he will be able to feel exactly how much damage was done,” she pointed out. “But yes, I’ll leave off that particular statistic,” she agreed. “Until I know for sure what the best course is for your friend.”
“Thank you.” I said, reaching out to shake her hand. “When can we see him?”
“He should be awake in an hour or so. You can see him right after.”
“Thanks again,” I said, as she walked away.
“I’m so glad the surgery’s over,” Nora said, letting out a relieved sigh.
“Me too,” I agreed, grabbing her hand in mine.
“If you don’t mind, I think I’m going to run home real quick and grab a shower,” she said. “I’ll be back before he wakes up.”
“That’s fine,” I told her, noticing that she seemed a bit anxious to get out of the hospital. I couldn’t blame her, I didn’t really care to be spending my Saturday amongst the sick and injured either. She kissed me quickly and headed out the door. I would have much rather had her sit with me, but I knew she’d be back. Besides, there wasn’t much that we could do but sit and wait.
I’d held it in as long as I could. The tears and the scream that I wanted to release the second I saw Brett crash his bike echoed in my car as I drove out of the hospital parking lot. Don’t get me wrong, I was more than relieved that Reid was okay, but the entire thing had scared me. It wasn’t new to me that people got hurt racing motocross, but I hadn’t ever seen anything like I had that morning. I’d been lucky. I’d been spared the gory details of a career that could possibly result in serious injuries or paralysis, or even death.
Was I strong enough to be with a man that risked his life every time he got on a dirt bike? I knew that Reid was a talented rider, but so was Brett. There was always a possibility that he could get hurt, but the thought of not being with him hurt just as bad. If I wasn’t strong enough now, I would be. I’d make sure of it. It would never be easy, but it was a risk I had to take if I wanted to be with him. I’d support him in any way I could.
I wiped my tears as I drove, but before I came to the road that lead to my house I took a left and headed down Main Street. I needed to see someone before I went home. I needed to find out if Beau was responsible for Brett’s accident.
I walked into Gregurich Motor Sports like a woman on a mission. I didn’t greet either of the two salesmen or Samantha, the cashier. I headed straight down the hallway in the back of the store and into Beau’s office, purposely leaving the door open in case he decided to get all grabby like he had the last time we’d talked. There were three other people working there that day and I didn’t think he would try anything in front of his staff. Or at least I’d hoped he wouldn’t.
“Nora?” he said, a surprised look on his face. “What are—”
“Please, please tell me that you didn’t have anything to do with what happened to Reid’s bike today?” I hated to believe that another human being was capable of doing something that could have killed someone, but I knew better. I knew the world was full of all kinds of people, and I’d recently witnessed Beau’s mean and hateful side. I’d seen him act like a complete jackass and let his pride get the best of him.
“What are you talking about?” He appeared confused, but he refused to look me directly in the eye. He was hiding something.