Marilyn covered her mouth with her hand. “He’s awake, but …” A tear slipped down her cheek. “Benji is paralyzed. He will never walk again.”
8
The world halted abruptly, and time no longer seemed to move forward. I reeled from Marilyn’s words, and the weight of the implication crashed down on me full force. I grabbed my pillow, covered my face, and released an agonizing cry. Those fuckers would pay. I prayed they would walk free because I would hunt them down and take from them what they had taken from my best friend.
I scooted down in my bed the best I could, refusing to look at anyone while I came undone. Benji deserved better. He had his whole life ahead of him. He was vibrant and full of dreams.
“I’m going to step back out for a bit, but Avery, please call me before she leaves.” Marilyn’s heels announced her exit, but I didn’t move.
The nurse, Lily, entered the room next. “Hi, hon. It’s time for your medication.”
I held my hand out, refusing to look at her. The pill hit my palm and I gladly popped it. I hoped like hell it would stop all my pain, including the emotional torture, but I knew better.
“The doctor will be in soon to go over your care at home.” Lily patted my shoulder, then her thick-soled shoes squeaked on the floor as she left my room.
“I’m going to run to the house and bring you back some clean clothes,” Avery said gently. “Layne said your blouse was ripped.” She kissed the top of my head before she left.
I ignored the scrape of the chair as someone sat in it again. Warm fingers covered mine and I swallowed hard, fighting to contain myself from another outburst.
“We don’t need to talk, Ten. I just want you to know I’m here if you need me,” Layne whispered.
Before I realized it, I gently squeezed his hand. Maybe it was the grief, or maybe I was in shock, but suddenly, having Layne there wasn’t so bad.
A few hours later, the doctor visited and provided me with follow-up and wound-care instructions. I would be back to my normal self in a few weeks, physically anyway. After everything Benji had gone through, I would never be the same again. Logically, I knew Benji could have said no about parking in the alley, but I still warred against the guilt inside me. I should have at least given him a good argument.
After Avery returned, she helped me dress in clean clothes while Layne waited outside for me.
“Good thing you’ve seen my tits before,” I muttered while she helped me into my bra. It was crazy how my movement was limited and painful.
“And great tits, might I add.” She flashed me a sad smile. “Layne asked me if he could drive you to the house. How do you feel about that?”
I gave a half-shrug. “It’s all right.”
Avery slipped my shirt over my head and gently pulled it down over my incision. Next, she helped me into my jeans. “I’m glad you’re coming home. It will be really empty without Benji.” She tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth and tears welled in her eyes.
“I want to see him before I go, but I’m not sure they’ll let me since he’s in ICU.”
A firm rap sounded at the door.
“Come in,” I said.
“Hi, Tensley.” Marilyn approached and sat on the side of the bed next to me. Layne followed her silently and leaned against the wall, folding his arms over his chest. “Avery and Layne have promised me they’ll take good care of you over the next few weeks.”
My focus bounced between Layne and Avery. When had they discussed that, and why hadn’t I been included? Avery, I understood, but I was surprised Layne was planning on sticking around.
“I don’t think you should be alone. This is going to be very difficult for you when you realize Benji isn’t coming back to the house with you and Avery.”
Shit. It hadn’t dawned on me that he wouldn’t be sleeping in his bed … or mine. He would most likely never live with us again. My heart dropped like a lead ball into my stomach at the thought. How in the world am I going to actually make it without him? He always made me laugh, kept the night terrors at bay, and was the only reason I had a social life. Stop. Don’t be a brat. This isn’t about me—it’s about Benji.
I squared my shoulders and faced Marilyn. “What can I do to help?” It was time for me to grow a pair and give everything I could to my best friend, who had breathed life into me after one of the darkest times I’d ever experienced. Even now, Chloe and her goons haunted me.
A smile pulled at Marilyn’s lips. Dark circles were beneath her eyes, and her slumped posture confirmed the level of exhaustion she was battling. “He can’t have visitors yet, but he’s in and out of consciousness. I suspect he will need to see you after the doctor …” Marilyn’s voice trailed off, and she covered her mouth with her hand, inhaling a shaky breath. “When the doctors tell him that he will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.”
I wrapped my arms around her, and we clung to each other in silence.
“Anything he wants. I’ll be there every step of the way.” I cringed at my choice of verbiage. There would no longer be steps for Benji.
“Don’t regret your word choice. We can’t tiptoe around his condition. He’s strong, and he wouldn’t want us to treat him any differently.”
I agreed. She was right, and I loved Benji for his strong will. When he was ready, he would meet his new life head-on.
“Do you still have my phone?” Marilyn asked.
“Yeah. It’s right there.” I nodded toward the little table next to the bed.
“Keep it. I’m going to pick you up another one in a few days. Why don’t you give me the broken one, and I’ll see if they can possibly pull any pictures and numbers from it. I’ll have Michael’s on me, so you call or text as often as you want. I’ll keep you updated.”
“Thank you. It will help to know I can keep in touch. I was a bit worried since my phone broke. Avery, would you please hand me my bag with my old clothes?”
Avery scooped up the bag and brought it to me. My stomach lurched when I remembered my clothes had been taken by the police while I was in surgery. There would be DNA evidence to help convict.
Marilyn stood and I handed her my phone. She bent down, kissed me on top of the head, and smoothed my hair. “I always wanted a daughter.” She tilted my chin up with her finger. “The night Benji brought you home to meet us, I knew my prayers had been answered, just in a different way than I’d expected.”
Tears clouded my eyes. “You’re the first real family I’ve ever had. I love you too.”
“Get some rest.” Marilyn turned without another word and left the room.
Clearing my throat, I glanced at Layne and Avery.
“Are you ready?” Layne asked, pushing off the wall. “The nurse is outside with a wheelchair.”
“Yeah.”
Avery shot me a look, and I nodded. I hadn’t changed my mind about Layne giving me a ride to the house.
“I’ll be right behind you,” Avery said, her words carrying a warning to Layne.
Layne didn’t miss a beat as he let the staff know we were ready to leave.