Page 50 of Fractured Hope
“How is he?” Seb asked.
“They’re running tests.” He turned to me. “You must be Bodhi. Sorry we have to meet under these circumstances. I’m Theo. I’ve heard a lot about you.” He offered me a gentle smile as we all walked back to the waiting area. I returned his smile with a nod, too overwhelmed with worry to speak.
“What tests are they running?” Lyric asked as we all took seats together.
“He regained consciousness in the ambulance, but they were worried about head trauma, so they ordered a CT scan. They said it would take about an hour, and they’ll let me know when it’s done.” He hastily ran his fingers through his hair. “Seeing the wreck, and then seeing Atty... . I was never prepared for that.” Theo broke.
Seb drew him in for a hug as silent tears streamed down his cheeks.
Kay came in and took a seat next to Lyric. He looked at me, and I gave a little shake of my head to let him know we didn’t know anything yet. The heavy weight of the unknown settled over us as we waited. Time blurred as we sat silently, hoping, waiting, worrying.
“We should call Yaya and Kat with an update. They should be here soon.” I took in the brothers huddled together sharing comfort.
“I can call them,” Kay said softly as he stood and let go of Lyric’s hand, which he’d been clutching. Moving away from us, he made the call.
Lyric watched Kay as he walked away. His face was more serious than I’d ever seen him. He seemed to be studying Kay like he was different somehow.
“They’re almost here,” Kay said as he returned to his seat by Lyric. “She said to call her if there’s any news before they arrive.”
Lyric reached out and interlaced his fingers with Kay’s as he rested his head on Kay’s shoulder. Kay gazed at Lyric with so much love that I had to wonder if they’d ever been more than friends. He caught me looking at him and blushed. He reached out his other hand to me, and I quickly moved to the seat next to him and took the comfort he was offering.
I’d been in the hospital a time or two, but I’d never had a family waiting for me like they were for Atticus. I couldn’t figure out how that made me feel. To have people so worried aboutyou that they broke down was scary—but also wonderful. To be so loved, so cared for, it meant you had a place in this world. A home. A real family. These brothers had embraced me in much the same way. I didn’t feel like I was on the outside looking in; I felt like I was a part of a family, this family, and that I was loved.
Loved.
The word both shocked me and resonated with me. I loved this family. I was a real part of it. I had a friend in Kay, and I loved him, too, but above all, IlovedAtticus.
I was in love with him.
The realization rocked me to my core. Would I get to see his smile again? See him try to make me laugh? Feel safe in his arms again? He’d brought light and happiness into my life. He helped me heal and find myself again. He’d given me the family I’d longed for. A home I’d never known I needed. The fresh start I’d wished for. I would make sure he knew what he meant to me as soon as I got the chance. He needed to be okay. He had to be.
Time ticked by slowly as we waited. Nobody had anything to say. We were all stuck in our own thoughts. It wasn’t until a doctor in blue scrubs and a white lab coat called for Theo that we all jumped up ready for news.
“Is he okay?” Theo rushed forward to ask.
The doctor gazed around at all of us and must’ve noticed the familial similarities between Theo and his brothers. He just nodded. “He’s got a moderate concussion and a few bumps and bruises, but he’s going to be okay.” We all let out a collective sigh of relief at that news. “Thankfully, the CT scan appeared clear, but we will be keeping him overnight. You can see him one at a time once he’s moved to a room. He’s awake and asking for Bodhi right now, so if whichever one of you is Bodhi wants to come with me, I can take you to him.”
I looked at the others, wondering if I should really be the first to see Atticus. They were all nodding and shooing me. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, we’re sure,” Seb answered. “You give him hell for scaring us.”
I smiled in relief and thanks. “I’ll leave that part up to you,” I said, and then I followed the doctor down the hall.
We went through the Emergency Room doors labeled for restricted access and down a maze of aged white and blue halls until we came to a row of curtained-off beds. He pulled back the blue fabric to reveal Atticus.
My heart nearly stopped at the sight of Atticus—battered, with a white bandage around his head, a swollen and bruised left eye, and blankets pulled up to his chest. He looked so small.
I raced to his side and reached for his hand that lay on top of the covers. He seemed to be asleep, but as I brought his hand to my mouth to kiss it, he shifted his head my way and his eyelids fluttered open.
“Bodhi,” he croaked out, smiling softly, then wincing.
“Oh my God, you scared us!” I whispered. “What the hell happened?”
“I don’t know. We had our date, and then I was here....”
Turning to the doctor, I gasped. “That was yesterday! Why can’t he remember?”
“That’s normal with a concussion,” the doctor reassured me. “It might come back to him or it might not.”
