Page 144 of Sawyer

Ava reaches up and wipes away my tears, feathering her fingertips over my face. Despite the pain and the shock, my body immediately relaxes at her touch.

“Bet that was scary.” Her voice is tender. “The woman said she turned to pick up a toy her little guy had dropped, and next thing she knew he was running into the road. It’s a miracle you didn’t hit him.”

I nod, even as a weird feeling settles in my gut.

“You’re thinking about your parents, aren’t you?” Ava asks. “How they didn’t get that miracle.”

I can’t get over how well this woman knows me.

I can’t stop crying.

“They were in this dream I had while I must’ve been out,” I reply. “My parents. My mom told me I’d wake up when I was ready.”

Ava’s smile returns. “She was right. They had to intubate you—give you a breathing tube—so your lungs could rest and you could heal. Apparently the pain meds they gave you were …” Ava clucks her tongue and gives me theokaysign with her fingers. “Which is probably why you were having such wild dreams. I like the idea of your mom and dad visiting you, though. That’d mean the whole crew was here—your brothers, your parents. Even Sally and Mollie were here. I mean, the kids weren’t, obviously, because they had to go to bed. But you had a whole crowd here rooting for you, Sawyer.”

I look at her through a film of tears. “And you’re the one who stayed.”

She takes my hands again and gives them a squeeze. “I sure as hell ain’t leaving you.”

It hurts like a motherfucker to laugh, but I do it anyway.

“Thank you,” I say.

“I know this concept is hard to grasp for someone like you who never wants to be a burden. But you don’t have to thank people for showing up for you when you need them. I’m happy to do it.” She gives my hands another squeeze. “Really, I’m honored, because I finally get to return the favor for all the times you’ve shown up for me.”

I’m too choked up to respond. I just let her hold my hands and I quietly sob, tears dotting my mint-green hospital gown.

The crying feels cathartic, even if I’m terrified of my chest tube somehow getting dislodged.

Thisis what I was searching for this whole time. Somebody who stays. My parents couldn’t. Lizzie didn’t.

But here is Ava, refusing to leave my side even though it’s a major inconvenience. She doesn’t love me any less for being laid up.

In fact, I get the feeling she might love me more.

At the very least, I feel loved. Supported.

“I love you,” I say.

She grins. “I know.”

“One thing.”

“Shoot.”

“Please tell me my dick still works.”

She laughs, hard. “Yes, Sawyer, I believe you’re going to make a full recovery. How about this—Nurse Ava will confirm that your appendage has full functionality once the doc gives us the thumbs-up?”

I pretend to scowl. “But Nurse Ava, I am not a patient … patient.”

“Oooh, the new name is fun.” Ava’s eyes gleam as she gives her shoulders a little shimmy. “My hospital, my rules, Mr. Rivers.”

“My bed, my rules.” I gesture to the gurney.

She laughs. “When we get home.Maybe.”

My heart swells.Home. We have one now. Together.

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