Page 123 of Just Between Us

And sleep still sounds so nice.

“Why don’t you let me take a shift, Liam. You need to rest somewhere that isn’t in that hard ass chair.” Is that Austin’s voice? He should be with Penny. What’s he thinking?

“I’m not leaving her. I have to be here when she wakes up.”

Silence. Then… “You really love her, don’t you?”

“More than anything, Austin. More than life itself.” I think my face lifts to a smile. I hope it does.

“You know, I didn’t get it at first. It took me a while. I thought you were toying with her and…” A long pause. “I apologize for that.”

“Not even close, man. She’s my everything.”

He’s mine too. Everything.

Silence again. Only the sound of the machines beeping and people breathing, shifting, a foot tapping.

“Mom told me she overheard something in the waiting room.Not sure you meant for her to hear, but, well, you know how voices carry. Something about you blaming yourself.”

A throat clears. Liam’s? I think so. “How could I not?”

“Dude, we’ve all driven in the rain before. What happened to y’all was a freak accident. You two were just trying to get to Penny and me. Nobody blames you, I hope you know that.”

Heavy breathing and a sniff. “It’s hard not to blame myself.” Liam sounds so broken. I wish I could go to him.

“Doing that is a waste of energy. She needs you. You said she’s your everything. When she wakes up be hers. Guilt will eat you up, and for what? She’s alive.” A pause and a sigh. “What I’m trying to say is nobody blames you. We’re just happy it wasn’t worse.”

“And about the G-wagon?—”

“Liam, stop. Cassie hated that thing. Now she can get one of those little electric cars she told me about.”

A scraping sound. Maybe a chair.

“But I do have to ask. What were y’all doing in Nashville? She told me she was spending the day doing laundry.”

Will he answer? Everyone should know what a good man he is. “Ever heard of the Next Note Foundation? I volunteer there. Cassie wanted to visit.”

A low whistle that sounds like Austin. “No fucking shit.” Why does he sound so surprised? “How is Rhonda?’

He knows Rhonda?

“You know Rhonda?”

“I know of her. She doesn’t know me.”

“Wait. Are you—are you the donor?”

Austin chuckles, and I hear someone shift in their seat. “No idea what you’re talking about.”

“Water.” It’s a harsh whisper that burns my throat. Peeling my eyes open, I try to climb from bed. I’m so thirsty and Mutt probably needs out anyway.

“Whoa, easy. Easy. Here.” Liam appears at my side, easing me back onto the pillow. He adjusts the bed until I’m on an incline and appears again with an insulated cup. “Here’s the straw. Take it slow.”

He props it at my lips and I take it in my mouth, sucking in the delicious ice-cold water. While the water coats my parched throat, I look around the room. I’m not at home. Where am I again? I try to remember but it’s not coming to me. Think, Cassie, think. There’s beeping, and a bed rail. Yes. The hospital.

My eyes find Liam, and he gives me the most tender smile. He’s still as handsome as ever, but something’s different. His clothes are wrinkled, and his eyes are bloodshot. Is he not sleeping?

Unlatching my lips from the straw, I work to form my question. “Why…why am I here?”