Page 49 of Ryder

“I love you so much, Ryder Raven,” I cried, squeezing his hand. “I need you to wake up so that I can tell you over and over again how much you mean to me. I need to hear you laugh. I need to argue with you and hear your sly comments. I need to feel you holding me,” I say, my voice breaking through my own tears.

Ryder’s doctor emerges into the room quietly, and I can sense he is giving me some space. I smile at him, letting him know it’s ok to enter.

“Good afternoon,” he greets me.

“HI,” I barely croak out.

“I would like to talk to you about the status of Mr. Raven,” he asks.

I go to stand, but he motions for me to continue sitting. He flips through his chart, glancing over the information he has gathered since Ryder arrived.

“With patients in comas, time can be our worst enemy,” he begins.

I stare up at this man, who holds Ryder’s life in his hands. I want him to snap his fingers and make Ryder better, but I’m not naive enough to believe that could ever happen.

“Ok,” I say, indicating to him that I am listening.

As he continues, I brace myself for what is to come. “Patients can remain in a coma for days, weeks, months, even years. Each case is different. However, Ryder is young and healthy, and it always helps when they have loved ones by their side, offering support.”

“What can I do to help?” I ask.

The doctor chuckles, his tired eyes sparkling, and his wrinkles showcased through his smile. “Just being here is very helpful. I wish I could give you the answers you desire, but for now, his body just needs to heal. With broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, and bad bruising covering his entire body, he just needs time,” he finishes, offering a soft smile.

“Thank you,” I say.

He checks Ryder’s vitals, and I watch as he writes down information in the chart. Once he leaves, the silence takes over again. The only sounds in the room are the beeping machines and the pounding of my own heart. My eyes remain locked onRyder, afraid if I look away even for an instant, I may miss a slight movement.

I fall asleep sometime later as my heavy lids just can’t remain open any longer.

The next afternoon, Allison comes to visit me at the hospital. Her shift at All Our Children ended, and she brought cards the boys made for Ryder. The sentiment is sweet, and I place them with the hundreds of cards, flowers, and well wishes sent from the racing team and fans.

News of Ryder’s wreck has been front-page news on every media outlet source. Reporters and paparazzi have been stationed outside the hospital, trying to get a glimpse of anyone related to Ryder’s team. I had been so lost in worry. I hadn’t even noticed until Allison pointed it out to me today.

She also brought me one of the gossip magazines that had a picture of me running to the track after the crash. My face was frantic, and my hair was flying in my face. The headline read: Mystery Woman Races to Ryder Raven’s Side.

I throw the magazine in the trash, not wanting to read the garbage they posted.

“How are you holding up?” Allison asks, placing her hand gently on my shoulder.

“Ok, I guess,” I say, shrugging.

“Maybe you should go home and try and get some sleep. I can stay here with him,” Allison offers.

She is sweet for the suggestion, but there is no way in hell I am leaving Ryder’s side right now.

A loud commotion from the hall draws our attention. Allison stands, moving to the door to see what is going on, and I see a wide smile spread across her face.

She moves out of the doorway and in walks the Raven’s. Their black hair and light eyes bring back a familiarity of looking at Ryder, and I can’t help but begin to sob.

“We are here to take care of you all,” Drake Raven says.

They are larger than life, and I am beyond grateful to finally have them here.

They all come inside the room, and I can hear a few nurses arguing for them to respect the two guests per room policy. I can tell their pleas are falling on deaf ears. If I have learned one thing about the Ravens, it’s that when it comes to one of their own, nothing will stand in their way of protecting them.

Eventually, the nurses give up and walk back to their nurses' station. As I sit beside Ryder, I begin updating everyone on Ryder’s status. I stand, so that I can talk to them face-to-face, but never budge from my spot beside the bed.

“So, I hear that scumbag, Alex Sweat, got fined from the racing circuit and is banned from any races at the Rev Speedway,” Axel tells me.

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