Page 34 of Choosing Skyler

“Right.” He looks to Chelsea. “You’ve been like a mother to Skyler, Chelsea. She would never blame you for this. You have to know that,” he tells her, wrapping her in a hug.

“I know you’re right. I just feel so awful. This is going to set her back so far,” Chelsea sobs.

I step forward and place a hand on Chelsea’s arm. “Chelsea, I know we don’t know each other well. But Idoknow that Skyler is a fighter. I’ll be right by her side, helping her deal with this. She’s not alone. She fought Dirk in that office instead of letting her panic win and shut her down. Let’s all hope that fight continues in the aftermath,” I say, trying to convince myself as much as her.

She turns from Devon and wraps her arms around my neck, hugging me to her. “You dear boy. You are exactly what she needs. We’ve all heard Devon’s tales of his best friend. I’m so glad you’re here—for both of them,” she tells me, stepping back.

I don’t know how to respond. This is like gaining a whole family I didn’t know existed. Like maybe I’m not so alone in the world after all. If they can makemefeel this way after only just meeting them, then surely Skyler feels it too. She’s going to need all the support she can get to stop her from falling after this morning’s encounter. Not to mention the physical healing.

She is still in a cervical collar even though there was no damage to her spine. The doctors said that it’s best if she keeps her neck muscles still while she heals from the strangulation injury.Strangulation.That’s what they called it. The bastard wrapped his hand around her throat so tight and for so long that her blood vessels burst in her eyes and the soft tissues in her neck are damaged. We won’t know the extent of the vocal cord damage until she wakes up and tries to speak.

I still want to kill that fucker for what he did to her. It’s a good thing that there is a police guard on both Skyler’s room and Dirk’s—wherever he is in the hospital. From what we were told, he was treated for abrasions to his penis and a severe closed fracture to his left arm. He is in the hospital, under guard, awaiting surgery on his arm.

Tracey sits on the side of Skyler’s bed and leans down to kiss Skyler’s cheek. “I love you, Sissy Sky. We all do. You have to know that we’re here for you, always,” she whispers in Skyler’s ear.

Then, she stands and runs into Devon’s arms. She wraps her arms around his waist and settles against him. He wraps her in a bear hug and holds her until the nurse comes in to check on Skyler.

She pulls the collar loose from Skyler’s neck to check her injuries and we can all see the bruising around her throat already forming. We stay silent while she rewraps the collar and checks the monitors and IV. When she’s finished with her assessment, she announces that visiting hours end at eight, but one of us can stay with her overnight.

“Only one?” I ask, eyeing Devon.This is going to be a problem.

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry, but that is the hospital policy. That’s why I wanted to advise you so early. I’ll be back at six to check on her again,” she announces before turning to leave.

“Wait,” Devon and I both say at the same time.

I nod to Devon to go ahead. “How long will it be before the medicine wears off and she wakes up?” he asks the same question I had.

“Oh, she’s not sedated. The pain medication may make her groggy, but it won’t prevent her from waking up,” she tells him.

“Then, why is she still asleep?” I ask.

“She experienced a physical and emotional trauma today. Her mind and body need rest to heal. She’ll wake up when she’s ready. Please don’t try to force her awake. It will only make her ordeal worse,” she says, raising a brow at me and then turning the same glare on Devon.

“Of course, we won’t,” he tells her. “We just want to be informed.”

“Good. Just press the call button if you have any questions or if she wakes and I’ll be right in.” When Devon nods, she leaves the room and pulls the door closed.

Chelsea looks between Devon and me. “Do you boys want to go get some dinner? Tracey and I will stay with her in case she wakes up.”

“No!” we both say.

She puts her hands up in surrender. “I just wanted to offer. We’re here for you.Allof you. Whatever you need, just ask.”

“Mom,” Tracey says, looking at Chelsea. “Why don’t we go get them dinner from TG’s and bring it back before visiting hours are over?”

Chelsea looks at Devon and he nods. She leans down and kisses Skyler’s cheek. “We’ll be back soon, hun.”

As soon as the door closes, I look at Devon. “You know I’m not leaving her, right?”

He sighs. “Brady, I love you man. But I’m staying. You can go home and get some rest. Come back first thing in the morning.”

I stiffen my spine and clench my fists. I’ve never wanted to fight Devon, but I will if that’s what it takes.

“Hell no!” I start. When he clenches his own fists, I decide to change tactics. “Please, Devon. I know you’ve known her longer and have a history, but… I love her, man. And I haven’t even told her because I thought it was too soon to be sure. I didn’t want or rush her or scare her away. I can’t leave her.”

Devon chews on his bottom lip, considering what I’ve said before dropping his shoulders. “I can’t leave her either. I’ll never forgive myself if she wakes up looking for me and I’m not here.”

“You’re listed as her emergency contact. They’ll let you come back if she wakes up asking for you. They won’t do that for me.” I plead with him.

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