Page 50 of Heatwaves

“Of course,” Ty assures him, leaning forward to hand Wyatt his phone. “Put your number in and text yourself so you have my number. We appreciate you being willing todo this for us.”

“I don’t think you’re bad guys, but Lila is, and will always be, my number one priority. I think she needs to hear you out, but I can’t force her to do that,” Wyatt says as he hands Ty back his phone. “Just give everyone some time.”

Carter clears his throat. “Of course. Thank you.”

The four of us leave the hospital with our heads down and hearts broken.

She has to be okay.

Blinking my eyes open, I groan as the bright lights seem to spear right into my head. My head pounds as I squeeze them shut.

“Dim the lights,” I hear someone say, but I can’t quite place the voice.

When the light isn’t pressing so heavily against my lids, I blink them open once more.

That’s not my ceiling.

I wince as I turn my head, red-hot spikes of pain rushing through my head and into my body. A whimper falls from my lips.

Why the hell does everything hurt so much?

“Hang on, babe. This should help.”

I recognize that voice, smiling as my eyes land on Wyatt. He’s pressing a button on something attached to my bed.

“I’m in the hospital?” I ask, flinching at the hoarseness of my voice. Clearing my throat, I turn my head slowly to take in more of the room.

I’m definitely in the hospital.

“Hey, honey.” Mom’s face is drawn as she appears on the opposite side of my bed from Wyatt. “How are you feeling? I sent your dad and Miguel to let the doctors know you’re awake.”

“What happened?” I croak.

A cup hovers in my line of sight, and I turn to find Wyatt holding it. “This might help.”

When I attempt to sit up, agonizing pain shoots through my body, and I collapse against the bed.

“Let Wyatt bring it to you, Lila,” my mom chides, and it’s not like I really have a choice.

I just wish they’d tell me what the hell happened.

Taking slow sips of water, I didn’t realize how thirsty I was until I drained the cup. “Thank you, Wy.”

“You’re welcome, Lil.” He kisses the top of my head before setting the cup to the side.

“Now, will one of you tell me what the hell happened?”

The door swings open before either of them can say anything, revealing a short woman in a doctor’s coat.

“Miss Riley, it’s so good to see those eyes open.” She smiles as she hurries over, gesturing for Wyatt to step back. “Let me just check your stats and then I’m going to ask you some questions.”

“Does that meanyou’lltell me what happened?“ I ask the cheerful woman.

She grins, eyes moving to the monitor beside my bed. “After I ask you some questions, then we’ll fill you in on what happened,” she assures me.

After a few moments, she turns back to me. “First, my name is Dr. Ashby, and I’ve been taking care of you since you arrived. How are you feeling?”

“Everything fucking hurts.”

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