Page 38 of Choosing Skyler

“See?! I can’t leave her like this.Please, Devon. I know you can make me leave, butpleasedon’t,” I beg, losing the battle to hold in my tears.

“Okay,” he says. “Here’s the deal. I know you’re barely hanging on. I’ve got you. I’ve gotbothof you. Let me be the rock for a minute if you need to fall apart. I’m right here. What do you need to get through this?” he asks.

“I need her to wake up and look at me. I need her to be okay. I needher,” I tell him through my tears. “I can’t fall apart and be here for her, too.”

“That’s what I’m telling you, man. You need to fall apartnow.So, youcanbe here for her when she wakes up. This is going to be a disaster for both of you if you don’t. I know both of you, remember?” he reminds me.

I nod and he looks relieved. He pulls his phone out and sends a text. Then, he pulls the chair from the other side of Skyler’s bed and sits right beside me, holding me while I hold her hand and drop my head to the bed beside her. I shake through my sobs while Devon holds onto me just like he has so many times the past nineteen years.

Just as I’ve about cried myself out, Tracey walks in carrying my duffle bag. She holds it out to Devon. He takes it and pulls me from my seat.

“Tracey, sit right there. Don’t move. Holler if she moves an inch or makes a peep. We’ll be right there,” he says, pointing to the bathroom door.

“I’m here, Dev. Whatever y’all need. I’m here,” she says, taking Skyler’s hand.

He guides me into the bathroom and sets my duffle bag on the closed laundry bin.

“Get in the shower and get cleaned up. Then, you can sleep on the sofa in Sky’s room. If you don’t get some rest here, I’m taking you home. Period,” he says, raising his eyebrow at me.

I nod and get undressed before stepping into the shower. When I’m done, I dress in a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. I make my way back into the hospital room to see Tracey and Devon sitting next to each other at Skyler’s bedside. Devon has one hand wrapped around Skyler’s and the other arm draped around Tracey’s shoulder. They look up at me as I make my way to Skyler’s bedside across from them. I brush her hair back and kiss her forehead.

“I’m right here, Beautiful. I’m not going anywhere,” I whisper in her ear before making my way to the sofa behind Devon and Tracey.

There’s a pillow and blanket there that wasn’t earlier. When I lay my head on the pillow, I smell Skyler’s citrus shampoo and realize it must be her pillowcase from home. I turn my back to the room, snuggle into her scent and cry myself to sleep.

I wake later to the sound of laughter. I turn to see Devon leaning over me while Tracey laughs from Skyler’s bedside, holding her hand.

“Evening, Sunshine.” Devon smirks. “Feel better?” he asks.

I sit up and take stock of myself. “I really do. Thank you, man. I’m sorry I lost it earlier.”

He holds his hand up, shaking his head. “You needed what you needed. I’m here for you. Same as always. It’s easier now that I’ve got you and Sky in one place. I don’t have to worry about one of you while taking care of the other.”

His remark stings a little and he notices immediately. “Shit, man. I didn’t mean it like that. I just love you both and I’m glad to have you in one place. Besides, I have backup here. Right, Tracey?” He grins over at her, and she blushes.

“Sure thing, Dev. I’d do anything for y’all,” she replies, tucking her blond hair behind her ear.

“What time is it?” I ask Devon.

“Seven-thirty,” he replies. “I told you, you needed rest, man. Dinner is on the table. We had pizza delivered. Get up and eat before they kick Tracey and me out of here. Then, you can take over for the night.”

“Shit! Why didn’t you wake me up earlier? Did she wake up? What did the doctor say when he came by for rounds?” I fire off questions without giving him a chance to reply.

“Whoa, man. I didn’t wake you because you needed the rest. No, she didn’t wake up. The doctor did seem concerned. Before you ask, they took her for another brain scan and said that she has normal brain activity. No sign of any brain damage. Her unconsciousness is unconsciously her decision. She’ll wake up when she’s ready,” he answers.

I run my hand through my hair. “Okay. Sorry. I can’t believe I slept all damn day.”

He raises an eyebrow and points to the pizza box. “Eat if you want to stay the night. Non-negotiable, man.”

I open the box and find a whole supreme inside. “Did you not eat?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.

“We ate. Tracey and I split the other one. Julie took the empty box to the trash for us,” he replies.

I pull a piece from the box and eat, knowing that he’ll definitely pull rank if I refuse. I get two slices down before Julie comes in to kick out the extra visitors for the night. Devon and Tracey take the rest with them.

When Julie comes in to check on Skyler at ten, I’m wide awake after sleeping all day.

“You look better than you have the last couple of nights,” she comments.

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