Page 85 of Broken Ice, Mended Hearts

“You’re making me cry again,” Alex said, looking at Jacob and me. “Get back up. We need a group hug.”

I held on to my friends, thankful to have people who cared enough to help me through this.

Wake up, Sven. Je t’aime. We have a life to live.

Chapter 24

Sven

The wind whippedPip’s hair into a stormy halo around his head. I watched him from the balcony of our room as he trudged along, his shoulders sagging beneath an invisible weight that bent his frame. It worried me, because he was the light of my life, driving away the shadows and making each day better than the last. With his love of adventure and sense of humor, we never had a dull moment.

He bent over and picked up a shell. When he tossed it into the water, I heard the splash from my perch. A seagull flew overhead, squawking, and when Pip turned his head skyward, his eyes found me. He threw up a hand in greeting and yelled, “Come down here with me, Sven Holmer. I love you.”

I tried to tell him I loved him too, but my voice wasn’t working.

His smile faded, and he dropped his hand. He plodded through the sand until another gust of wind made him stumble. Flailing his arms, he managed to remain upright, and as a French curse rang through the air, I laughed.

His head snapped up again, and when our eyes met, we settled into the same mesmerizing gaze we’d shared since the night we fought on the ice.

“I love you, Sven. Come back to me.”

He loves me!My heart soared with joy, and I ran for the stairs, eager to get down to the beach. All at once, the world stuttered. The floor became a canvas of dazzling blue sky, and I swirled through the air like a leaf caught in the wind. Lights flashed, causing Pip’s face to flicker in and out of view.

Then, with a distinct thud, the world slammed back into soft focus. A beeping sound replaced the whistling wind, and Pip looked down at me. I blinked, trying to understand what was happening. He was wearing scrubs. I didn’t know he was a doctor. Why hadn’t he told me?

“Sven?” Pip’s eyes were bulging. “Are you… back?”

“Back from where?” I asked, but my voice still didn’t work.

He squeezed my hand, his warm fingers anchoring me to this new reality.New reality? Where have I been?

“I love you, Sven. Listen to me.I. Love. You.I am so sorry I didn’t say it before.”

“Pip?” Still no voice. I tried to move, but my body was too heavy. My mind raced, trying to decide where I was and remember what had happened.

“Mr. Holmer?” A woman appeared beside Pip, wearing the same kind of scrubs he had on. She looked fuzzy, and I closed my eyes, hoping things would settle before I opened them again. “Sven?” Her voice was louder. “Can you hear me? Look at me, Sven.”

The nurse made Pip leave, but he promised he’d be right outside and would be back as soon as they’d let him. Chaos ensued as people filled the space around my bed, speaking in clipped voices, shining lights in my eyes, and poking me all over.

My mind was muddy, like when my friends and I smoked too much weed growing up. I struggled to keep up with everything happening around me, but every time I closed my eyes to get my bearings, someone yelled at me to open them again. My body hurt all over, but as much as I wanted to escape, I had to stay awake. I couldn’t go back to sleep until I saw Pip again.

Hewashere, right?Surely I hadn’t dreamed it. Had he actually said he loved me?

Sadness flashed through my mind when I remembered hehadn’tsaid it. Wait… That was… We texted, and he was going to call me.

But had he called? I couldn’t remember.

All the commotion made it impossible to think, so I focused on the ceiling and squeezed my fists to stay awake.

“He’s moving his fingers,” someone said.

“Toes too,” another voice added. “It’s slight, but it’s definitely movement.”

“Sven, do you remember what happened?” An older man looked down at me. “You’re at Washington Medical Center. You were in an accident and were seriously injured, but we’re taking care of you. We’re about to remove the tube from your throat. If you have trouble breathing, we’ll put it back, but I believe you’ll do fine.”

The herd of tormentors eventually thinned, but two remained behind, a man and a woman.

“I’m Dr. Crew,” the woman said, then nodded at her companion. “This is Charlie, your nurse, and we’re going to remove your breathing tube. When I tell you, I need you to blow as hard as you can. Understand?”

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