She’s looking down at our entwined hands.
“Sweetheart, look at me.”
She slowly brings her eyes to meet mine.
“I love you, too.”
Tears well in her eyes.
“Please don’t cry again,” I beg her. “Come here.” I pull her hand toward me, and she gently leans in.
“I love you. I was so scared,” she whispers as a single tear runs down her cheek.
I press our foreheads together. “I’m so sorry. But I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere. Nothing in the world, remember? We’ll be back in Mountain Time soon.” I brush my lips over hers, soaking in the words. She loves me. I never imagined I’d find a love like this. The kind that settles deep within you and wraps around your soul, filling it with belonging and an undeniable sense of home. But I did, and Kacey is the beautiful woman who gave it to me.
I’m the luckiest man alive.
They moved me out of the ICU and into a regular room. A regular room where people can visit. Now my mom and Kacey sit in chairs on each side of my bed while Trey and Jessie share the window bench seat. They’ve both been oddly civil, and it’s weird. I’m waiting for them to snap.
Kacey told me Trey has only left the hospital to ride over the weekend. After seeing how bad it scared Kacey, I’m sure it freaked Trey out, too, but I’m glad he didn’t let it affect his performance. Taking second place this weekend secured him a spot to the national finals with me.
Kacey is still reluctant to leave my side, but when my mom and Jessie drag her out of the room to get some food, Trey fills me in on the wreck and shows me a video. He hasn’t shown it to Kacey, and she hasn’t asked to see it. We both agree it’s probably for the best; I haven’t seen a wreck that bad in a long time. It’s amazing Isurvived. I still don’t remember any of it—the doctor said I likely never will.
“Hey, man, thanks for everything. I’m sure this put a cramp on your bar-hopping this weekend,” I tease him.
“Nah, you rate higher than bar hopping. Most days.” He grins, putting his phone in his pocket. “I know you would do the same for me, you’re the only brother I never had. Thanks for not dying.”
I try to hold back my laugh, knowing it will make my chest ache. “Thanks, dickhead. You know, I think this is going to affect my driving next season, so you’ll have to drive more.”
“Guess I’m going to have to start looking for a new traveling partner then. And a new roommate.”
“That would mean you’d have to start paying rent, ya leech.”
“Well shit. Never mind.” He laughs but then he turns serious. “I really am happy you’re alright. Don’t ever fucking do that again.”
“I mean, I didn’t plan to do it the first time, but yeah, let’s never do this again.”
My mom loves Kacey—I knew she would. My sister even visited with her over FaceTime when I talked to her and my nephew. She texted me afterward, sharing how happy she is for me and mentioning how pretty she is.
She’s more than pretty. Kacey radiates beauty. Her kindness, empathy, and loyalty make her who she is.
Jessie and my mom fly out two days later, leaving Trey and Kacey to drive me back to Colorado when I’m released from the hospital one week after the wreck.
It’s going to be a long recovery, but I should be ready for the National Finals in December.
And I can’t wait to be back in Mountain Time.
Chapter 46
Kacey
The Ranch
“Well, they made it longer than I thought they would,” Knox says next to me as we walk down the road to my dad’s house for family dinner.
Trey and Jessie walk ahead of us, bickering about god knows what. They behaved so well at the hospital, it was almost like they were friends. Now they’re back to fighting like cats and dogs. It even seems like they’re arguing when they go silent and glare at each other, like right now.
“I’ve never known people who could argue while saying nothing at all . . . it’s unnerving.”
