Page 16 of Fighting for the Forbidden
I’ve no idea if she says any more, because I fade away again.
“I swear he could hear me. He squeezed my hand,” Lauren explains.
“It could still be hours yet. Please, come home, sweets.” The sound of Joe’s voice brings a memory of us to the surface. We were outside somewhere, and I was getting in his face. I remember being angry and wanting nothing more than to wipe the smirk off his face.
“Not until he wakes.”
“You do know that if he wakes up with you here, he’s going to get the wrong idea? Do you really want to encourage him after you only just got rid of him?”
He really thinks their little stunt was enough for me to forget about Lauren?
As they continue bickering, more and more of my body starts to come back to me. Being able to wiggle my toes is the best feeling in the world after being numb for fuck knows how long.
Her hand is in mine once again, and my lips threaten to break into a smile. I bet Joe’s fucking pissed with his girl sitting beside my bed and holding my hand.
“I told Jenny I would get you to leave and at least have a shower.”
“How many times? I’m not leaving until he’s awake.”
“Fine. Well…call me if you need anything.”
“I will.” The sound of him giving her a kiss has every muscle in my body tightening, but then the door shuts and silence descends.
“Ben, come on.” She sounds exhausted. “It’s time for you to wake up, baby.” Warmth fills my insides. “Let me see those beautiful blue eyes. Show me that you’re okay.” Her words are sincere.
I give it everything I’ve got, and eventually I manage to drag my eyelids open so just the tiniest bit of light seeps in.
“Oh my god. Ben? Ben, come on, baby, look at me.”
The light is so bright that my eyes start running the moment I manage to open them further. I want to see her more than anything, but right now she’s just a blur of blonde hair.
“Can you see me?”
I manage to shake my head slightly and, after blinking a few times, my vision clears and I’m blessed with the most incredible sight.
Lauren.
She might look pale and exhausted, but I don’t care because she’s right here.
I stare at her, taking in every feature and committing it to memory just in case my eyes don’t work again.
I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. It’s like I’ve been on a week-long bender with how dry it is. Although, to be fair, my head hurts pretty bad so maybe that’s what happened. Did I drink myself into oblivion?
The warmth of her palm against my rough cheek feels like heaven. “It’s okay. I’m here. My god, it’s so good to be able to look into your eyes.” The relief she’s feeling is evident in her voice, and it makes me think that maybe this isn’t the hangover from hell. She genuinely looks terrified. “What do you need? Can I get you anything?” I try to speak again to tell her that that she’s the only thing I need, but it doesn’t work.
“Here, sip this.” A straw is placed between my lips and I manage to sip a little water. It does the trick, because I can swallow again.
“W-where am I?” It comes out as a hoarse whisper, but at least it came out.
“In the hospital.” Her voice has lost the concern that was there only moments ago. It’s hard, like I remember from when she was talking to Mum.
“Why?”
“Because you reappeared and turned everything to shit,” she snaps. “What the fuck were you thinking, going after Joe like that? He’s done nothing to you. He didn’t deserve that. I’m so fucking mad at you,” she fumes, getting up and pacing the room. I’m a little whiplashed from her sudden mood change.
“You just turn up and flip my world upside down. Do you have any idea how long it took me to get my life back on track after you left? No, how could you, because you just fucked off without looking back. You were a fucking pussy, you know that? One little threat and you fucking ran. I thought I meant more to you than that. I thought you loved me. I sure as shit know I did you.
“Look what good that did me.” She throws her arms up as she continues pacing.
