Page 18 of With Love, Alex

The beeping of machines was the first thing I heard when I came back to consciousness. My pain had lessened, but it was still there. Everything was in a fog or was that just my head. My eyes tried to blink open, but they weren’t cooperating.

Whatever the hell they’d given me I was thankful. I would take my world in a fog instead of the agony I’d been in after the crash.

How long had I been out?

Had I missed my flight?

What about Mason?

My eyes popped open, and I tried to take in the sterile hospital room. My neck was in a brace making it difficult to turn my head. The room smelled of urine and bleach with its white on white on white decor. It didn't take me long to spot Matt sleeping in a chair by the window. He had a big bruise on his forehead, but otherwise seemed fine.

Someone squeezed my left hand pulling my attention away from the cause of our wreck. Slowly turning my body, I peered to my left to find Reeves with a small smile tipping his lips. His forehead was creased with worry as were his eyes.

“How long have I been out?” I croaked. Trying to sit up while clearing my throat proved too much as my neck spasmed even while being in the brace and my arm ached painfully. Looking down, I noticed I had a pink cast that started at my fingers and ended just after my elbow. My first broken bone.

Pulling out his phone, Jenner quickly looked at it then put it back in his pocket before he replied. “A little over six hours.”

“I guess I missed my flight.” A tear slipped out. I could feel my eyes drooping heavily. Sleep was calling me and even with the drugs I still felt enough pain to happily give in.

Jenner squeezed my hand, chuckling. “You could say that.”

Poor Mason. He was going to be so worried.

Even in my drug induced haze my mind was riddled with questions as I was slowly drifting back into the darkness.

Where was Mason?

Was he still at his dad’s?

How could I have been so stupid to come to LA and visit a man I barely knew?

How would I get home now?

“Don’t worry about it, little mama. Your phone was recovered, and I called Ryan to let him know what happened. He’s going to pick up Mason and take him back to his place.”

“Thank you,” I murmured as sleep started to pull me under.

From across the room, I heard what sounded like Matt speak. “Is she awake?”

“She was,” Jenner answered back gruffly. “You’re so fucking stupid man. What were you thinking?”

When he was closer, Matt spoke again. “Don’t start in on me. You don’t think I feel bad enough as it is?”

Their voices faded with each word spoken to the point that I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming or not. No longer were they speaking in whole sentences, but a word here and there.

Asshole.

Phone.

Friend.

Texting.

Out.

Something soft touched the fingers of my broken arm and my knuckles feather light before my hair was brushed back from my face and a soft whisper was murmured in my ear.

“I’m sorry.”

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