My first thought is to defend myself, so I straighten my stance, take a strong step forward, and open my mouth. Yet before any sound can leave my throat, Steven places his hand on Archer’s shoulder and says, “It was my idea.” Archer’s angry gaze immediately snaps toward his brother instead. St
I walk into Neil’s room with a strong determination. Neil needs to wake up. Steven believes that I’m the one who will be able to wake him. I hold onto that confidence, making it my own… Right up until I come to Neil’s bedside and get a truly good look at him. He looks even worse up close than he
When I glance at the window in the door, I see an empty hallway. The brothers maybe gave up on me – or at least, on a quick and easy solution. They must have gone back to the waiting room. A few minutes later, a doctor enters. We greet each other. I recognize him as one of the vetted ones that was
Beau suddenly stands up. He leaves behind his sandwich, forgotten on the chair, as he storms to the door and hustles through it, out into the hallway. I’m left staring after him, confused down to my very soul. What the hells just happened? A minute passes, maybe two. Then Archer bursts into th
I stay with Neil, continually holding his hand, even into the night. Eventually, despite my best efforts to keep standing, my legs start to hurt and I have to sit down. The brothers take turns sitting with me. Beau first, then Archer, who refuses to tell me exactly what he did with the doctor who
Archer rushes out of the room to find the doctors. I quickly return to Neil’s side. “Are you sure you are healthy enough for this? You only just woke up? She we wait to make certain you are well?” Neil’s face softens as he looks at me. He gives me a small, comforting smile. “I’ll be okay, Chloe.
I pace back and forth the length of the waiting room, my anxious nerves making it impossible to sit still. Archer, Beau, and Steven are in other areas of the room. Archer is standing near the hallway to the operating rooms. He has his arms crossed, and is still as a statue. I’m certain he’s not
Archer considers this. Steven nods critically. No one is asking the most important follow up question, so I take the initiative myself. “Can we see him?” I ask. “Yes, of course,” the doctor says. “He’s been returned to his room. I simply ask that you do not upset him in any way.” “We underst