But I can’t trust anything because he’s aliar.
Seeing him here, knowing how wrong I’ve been about him, hurts worse than whatever injury landed me in thisroom.
When I try to talk, I can onlycough.
The machines start beepingagain.
Finally, I can say the words. “Why did you lie?” I swallow past the sandpaper in my throat. “How could you not tell me?” For the first time in my life, I’m too angry, too hurt, to cry. He had a kid with another woman,seven years ago, and never bothered to tell me. “I can’t stand the sight ofyou.”
I can’t even roll away because there are cords and IVs hanging off myarm.
“Joey, I swearI—”
“Leave mealone!”
“Sir, I need you to leave.” The nurse tries to usher him out, bless her. “We don’t want to upset her rightnow…”
Their voices fade, and I cocoon myself underblankets.
That nice nurse returns, and I make sure she understands I don’t want any visitors. No one. Not a single soul. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this alone before, but I have a feeling I need to get used toit.
When I wake again, it’s darkoutside.
I want to check the bus schedule and find out how much it’ll cost to go back to Florida, but in the back of my mind, I know there’s a reason why I can’t goyet.
There’s something I’m supposed to do or somewhere I’m supposed tobe…
Holy shit, thewedding.
With trembling hands, I punch the nurse’s button. A different nurse pokes her headin.
“What day is it?” Iask.
“I’m sorry. What do you need,hun?”
“What. Day. Is.It?”
She smiles. “Sunday. Are you hungry? I’m supposed to get you to eat more during my shift. We can get that catheter out tonight,and…”
I don’t hear anything else shesays.
I missed thewedding.
There really isn’t anything to keep mehere.
Finally, those tears fall. I couldn’t stop them if Itried.
Logan is with another woman. Silas doesn’t give a shit about me. Tori and Ethan got married. I mean, I wouldn’t expect them to put their lives on hold for me, but I’m so upset I missed their wedding, the blow is crushing when added to everythingelse.
After a minute, the nurse pats my hand. “Concussions have a tendency to make you emotional. I’ve seen grown men bawl like babies when they’ve gotten a good goose egg, so I just want to let you know this is okay. Let it out,hun.”
Oh, Iwill.
Before the nurse walks out, she adds, “By the way, the police are going to need to question you about what happened. You weren’t in any condition to talk before, but they’ll be stopping by tomorrow to get yourstatement.”
She walks out before I can process what thatmeans.
Because honestly, I’m not sure whathappened.
