Page 47 of Sloth
“Go home, Liza.” I move past her to get to the bathroom, hoping she’ll listen because I’m not safe to be around right now.
“Luke, you need to go home and get some rest,” the nurse tells me when she comes to check in.
“Why isn’t she awake yet?” I ask her, keeping hold of Erin’s hand, waiting to feel a flinch of her finger or a squeeze of her hand.
“The medication takes time to wear off. She’ll be back with us when she’s ready. You know, her best friend is still out in the hall; she’s been here every day since Erin was admitted. Go get yourself cleaned up; let her sit with her a while,” she suggests.
“I can’t.” I shake my head, not wanting to take my eyes off Erin’s face.
“The police took everyone's statement. What happened was an accident. That poor girl is beating herself up enough.” I look through the glass window of the door and see Liza sitting in her usual spot. I haven’t asked what happened to her, or what her deal was with Koben. It doesn’t concern me. All I can focus on is what I’m going to say to Erin when she wakes up. I can blame Liza as much as I want, but in reality, this is my fault. I should have been there. I should have known she wouldn't stay in the damn truck.
“Let me put it to you bluntly. Do you want to be stinking like a rotten corpse when your girl wakes up?” The nurse tells me straight, and I take the pad that's next to the bed and write down my number.
“I’ll be back in an hour. You call me if there's any change.” I rip the paper from the pad and hand it to her.
“We have your number on her file,” she assures me.
“Now you got it in your pocket, too,” I remind her, kissing Erin gently on the forehead and promising I’ll be back. Liza shifts nervously in her seat when she sees me heading toward her.
“Watch her,” I tell her, standing motionless when she gets up and throws her arms around my neck, and as she races down the hall to get to her friend, I head back to the house to get a shower.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
ERIN
“Erin… Erin. Oh my god, you're awake!” Liza almost suffocates me when she notices my eyes are open.
“Where’s Luke?” I look around the room, and although my vision is blurry, I can’t see the shape of him.
“He went home to shower; he’s been here by your side the whole time. Erin, I’m so sorry.” I see the guilt on her face, and I’m confused.
“What happened?”
“You were attacking Koben, and I was scared you were gonna…I pulled you away, and you lost your balance. You feel down the stairs?—”
“My baby.” I press my hand to my stomach.
“Is fine. Your baby is fine. Luke’s been driving the staff crazy, making sure they monitor its heartbeat every few hours. And they gave you a scan two days ago.”
“Two days ago!?How long have I been out?” My vision is a little less blurry, but the throbbing in my head is much worse.
“Three, maybe four days. I should get a doctor.” She goes to leave.
“No…” I reach out my arm to stop her.
“While we’re alone, I need you to tell me what happened the day Matthew died.”
I watch as her skin turns pale.
“What are you talking about?” She tries to look confused, but I know her too well.
“That test I found in the bathroom…it wasn’t yours, it was mine. I knew I was pregnant before Matthew died, didn’t I? Why would you tell me it was yours? Why couldn’t I remember?
What happened to your baby, Liza, and why were you protecting Koben? He was yelling at you. You wouldn’t let someone treat you that way.” None of what I’m piecing together makes sense.
“Okay, I need to tell you this before Luke gets back, and it’s not gonna be easy to hear.” Liza looks to the door to ensure we’re completely alone before her eyes fix on me.
“I killed him. I killed Matthew, didn’t I?” My vision goes blurry again, but this time it’s from tears, not the pain in my head.
