Page 107 of Broken

“Don’t start, Annie.” He stood up slowly, raising his arms to stretch his stiff muscles, and winced as he straightened. “Anything happen while I was out?”

Annie rolled her eyes at me, making her point, and then supplied, “She’ll be waking up tonight.”

“What?” Tucker grimaced, his back contorting when he moved too fast. He sat back down, breathing slowly through the pain. Annie waited for him to settle.

“The doctor came in to check on her right after you fell asleep. She’s looking good, and they’re ready for her to wake up. It should probably happen sometime this evening.”

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” he demanded.

“Because you needed sleep, Tucker. You look awful.”

“Whatever, Annie.”

“She’s just concerned about you, man. We all are,” I said in her defense.

“I’m fine. It’s Izzy you should be worried about.” He shot us a look before glancing back down at his girl.

Annie and I sighed. “We are.”

“Why?” came the faint murmur from the pale lips up at the pillow.

ISABEL

Sounds were muffled at first. Even when I was able to distinguish my friends’ voices, their words blurred together in my ears.

I was able to make out a steady beeping noise from somewhere close by and wondered what it was. It didn’t sound like anything in my bedroom, and why would the guys be up in my room when I was sleeping, anyway?

I worked to concentrate on their conversation, trying to turn the muffled noises into words I could understand. Did Anniejust say something about a doctor? Why would I need a doctor? Unless it had something to do with my throbbing head. And why did it hurt to breathe? My whole body seemed to ache now that I thought about it.

I focused on the conversation again, hoping they’d explain what was going on.

Tucker sounded annoyed, but I couldn’t make out why, and then I heard him say that they should beworriedabout me. That didn’t make sense. I was just sleeping, wasn’t I? Or maybe I wasn’t. Something felt off. Only feeling more confused, I decided to press for answers.

“Why?” Alarm struck me at how frail my voice sounded.

No one answered at first, and I was beginning to wonder if they’d even heard me when Tucker’s voice came from nearby.

“Izzy?” He sounded as if he wasn’t sure he had heard me, but I could detect relief in the question. It just made me more confused.

“Tucker?” My voice came out scratchy and cracked, and I grimaced.

“Here. Here’s some water.” I felt a spoon held up to my lips, and I opened, letting the drops of water trickle into my parched mouth. He helped me with a few more, and then I felt him take my hand, his touch so warm on my fingers. I was so cold. “I’m right here, princess.”

“Jet and I are here, too, sis,” Annie said from my other side. I felt my sister gently squeeze my leg.

“What’s going on? Why is everyone in our room, Annie? And what’s that beeping sound?”

“We’re not in our room, Izzy.”

“Not in our room?”What is she talking about? Where else would I sleep?

“No, you’re in the hospital,” Annie replied, sounding unsure, like she was afraid of how I would react.

I didn’t like it. Something felt off.

“The hospital?” As I said it, I recognized the feel of tubes across my face and the hand Tucker was holding.What’s going on?I was dialing panic back, the explanations more confusing than their muffled conversation. I tried to recall why I’d be in the hospital, but it was difficult to think with my head throbbing.

“Izzy?” Tucker said softly, gently squeezing my hand. I felt my heart flutter at the sound of his voice.

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