The waiting room is packed with our entire crew from the slopes, and a few other people are trickling in as word spreads. It’s pretty late, so most people won’t find out until the morning.
“His dad just said they are still taking x-rays, and we’ll know more after that, but the doctor said, with breaks like this, they’ll most likely need to prep him for surgery,” Blythe updates us since she was sitting close enough to eavesdrop.
When I look over to see Sidney sitting by herself, I realize I wouldn’t want Ash to be alone if the roles were reversed, so I walk over to sit by her.
“Hey, Sid.”
She looks up and quickly wipes at her eyes. It’s clear she’s been crying. I wrap my arm around her since she looks like she needs this right now.
“He’s going to be okay.”
She closes her eyes. “I hope you’re right.” Then she opens them, and her eyes lock with mine. “It’s just … everything always comes so easily for him. I never worry about him. Ever. I mean, everything always just falls right into place. It’s been like that his entire life. And I guess I never thought anything bad would happen, like he’s invincible. But he’s not, you know?”
I just smile. “Yeah. I do know. It’s never Todd. He’s always the rock, and I don’t think any of us know what to do without him being the rock.”
She lets out a small laugh. “Yeah, exactly. Ashley just needs to get here.”
I nod my head in agreement then lean back in my chair as my hand strokes her shoulder. We are in for a long night.
Chapter 17: The Results
ASHLEY
As we pull into the hospital parking lot, my legs start shaking so badly I’m not even sure I can walk on them, but I somehow manage. There has been radio silence other than the occasional text from Sid checking to see how close we are and the constant texting from Shane with words of encouragement, but I don’t count those.
“You okay?” Dad asks as he wraps his arm around my shoulder.
I look up at him and give him a half smile.
As soon as we walk through the emergency room doors, I see all of Todd’s friends lining the walls, and then my eyes land on Ryan. Without even thinking about the fact that the emergency room is filled with the entire senior class, I run up and hug my brother.
“Thank you so much for calling and talking to Dad.”
“Ash, a little tight,” he says, clearly winded from my death grip.
“Sorry.” I look up at him as I loosen my hold, but I’m not ready to let go yet. “Did you see him? How is he?”
“No, his parents and Sid are in there now. He just got back from x-rays, but no results yet. I think they have to prep him for surgery.” Ryan’s eyes shift to the ground, and my stomach turns over with butterflies, not the good kind.
“Ashleeeeey.” I feel her arms squeezing me before I see her.
“Sid, how is he?” I ask as my eyes connect with hers. I can immediately tell she’s been crying; her eyes are bloodshot.
“He’s good,” she says with an overly large smile.
“How is he, really?”
“A mess.” Her whole body releases the façade as she slumps down, letting tears spill down her cheeks. “Sorry.” She wipes her tears away with the back of her hand.
Ryan rubs her back and smiles at my questioning look. “Sid and I bonded.”
“Okaay?” I smile, appreciating the distraction until I see Todd’s parents come around the corner.
My dad immediately walks up to them, hugging Mrs. H., and then he shakes Mr. H.’s hand. I see them all glance over in our direction and my stomach sinks even farther. At this point, it’s pooling around on the floor beneath my feet.
My dad’s eyes meet mine, and he gestures for me to come over. I instinctively look at Ryan. After all, he is Todd’s best friend and should know what’s happening first. He gives me a smile and mouths, “Go,” as he gently nudges me in their direction.
While I approach our parents, there are a million things I want to say. I have an entire speech planned on how Todd is good for me, that he pushes me to be a better person in every way: swimming, school, life. I have been mentally rehearsing it for the entire trip up here, and now I just need to say it calmly so they can see I have really thought this through.
“I-love-him-and-I-need-to-see-him,” comes out as one, long, hysterical sentence. So much for calm and collected.
Mrs. H.’s lips turn up in a sincere smile, and she reaches her hand out to gently stoke my arm. “We know, Ashley. Todd said the exact same thing.” She gives a small laugh at the irony. Then she looks back and forth between my dad and Mr. H. “We were young once; we just forgot what it’s like.” She turns back to me. “We’re sorry we’ve tried to keep you apart for so long, and we’re sorry it took this to make us realize it.” Her smile falters, but her eyes stay on mine. I see the concern in them for Todd, the same concern I hate seeing in my parents’ eyes when one of us is hurt. “I’ll point you in the direction of his room.”
I don’t know what to say, so I just smile at her and our dads. “Thank you,” I say low to all of them.
After my dad gives me a nod and a smile, I look back at Ryan and Sid, and they both give me a discreet thumbs up.
Wow, this is all so unexpected and so easy, too easy.
Todd’s mom has her arm wrapped around me as she guides me through the emergency room hallways. I can’t believe they apologized to me, but before I can relish in my joy, I’m standing outside of Todd’s hospital room door and reality sinks back in as to why we are all here.
“Go ahead.” She gestures toward the door. “He’s been waiting to see you.” She smiles.
“Thanks, Mrs. H.,” I tell her then open the door.
There he is, just as gorgeous as always. He’s got an IV attached to his arm, and his leg is in what looks like a large, wooden box without a top. I hate seeing him like this, yet I love seeing him.
My eyes drink him in, all of him. It’s been too long, and I have missed him so much. I didn’t even realize there was an ache without him until it’s gone now that I’m with him.
“Hi.” My voice is small. I want it to be stronger for him, but it’s not.
“Hi.” He tries to sit up a little straighter, and the movement makes him wince with pain, but he masks it with a smile.
“What’s with you boys and hospitals?” I try to joke.
He laughs and then squeezes his eyes shut before he quickly regains his composure.
“Last I recall, it was you in the hospital.” He gives me that crooked smile, the one that tells me no matter what happens. He’s still the Todd I fell in love with. I am in love with.
“Well, you’ve got me there.”
“Come here.” He pats the space next to him on the bed. I didn’t even realize I was still standing by the door. “I won’t bite.”
“Are you sure?”
“Well, I might.” He gives me a mischievous smile as I approach his bed.
“How are you?” I ask, ignoring the obvious. Duh, he’s in the hospital.
“I’ll be better when you’re right here.” He pats the spot right next to him on the bed again. Then he reads my questioning look perfectly. “It’s fine, Ash. Really.”
I want so badly to be next to him, to touch him, so I don’t hesitate to jump up on his bed. My motion causes the bed to move, and he inhales deeply, reaching for his leg.
“I’m so sorry. I knew this was a bad idea.”
“This was a great idea.” He smiles through the pain as he slides his arm behind me, guiding me so my head is lying on his chest. “I feel better already.”
Rising and falling with his steady breathing is the best feeling in the world. I close my eyes to cherish it because I don’t know how much longer we have alone.
His other hand reaches for my hand, and I see a large, plastic thing attached to his finger. “What’s this?”