I must have passed out because one moment I was m dreaming about my father who was also a street racer and how it use to be, and the next moment I was being wheeled into the ER. I hate hospitals. I've hated them ever since I was put in one because of my eating disorder.
I opened my eyes slowly. It felt like my whole head was swimming and I couldn't see anything. I shakily reached a hand up to my eye and rubbed it. I could see clearer then I could before. I rubbed the other one and this time I took in my surroundings. I was in a hospital bed. I looked to my left and noticed Jesse sleeping in a chair beside my bed.
"Hi..." I croaked out making him jump. A huge, relieved smile spread across his face as he scooted closer to my bed.
"Hi, baby," He said tracing shapes on my palm. My throat was all dry and scratchy I needed water. I nodded towards the water jug hoping he might get the idea. He did. He poured me a glass of water. As soon as I took a sip of it, I could talk.
"Where is everyone?" I asked, hoping they were ok.
"Home." He replied setting the water glass back on the table.
"Are they okay?" I asked. I hoped they hadn't gotten in trouble because of me. He nodded.
"Everyone's fine, besides worrying about you that is."
"I'm sorry." I whispered, looking down at the blanket.
"Don't be sorry Lex! The asshole that beat you up should be sorry!" He jumped up angrily, clenching his fists.
I shook my head no. "I can defend myself. The only reason Dom asked me to go was because he thought I'd be fine. I was fine really I would have settled down eventually." I said knowing I was lying but hoping he'd buy it. No such luck.
All he did was shake his head. "You know, Vince dragged the guy in here after you came out of surgery. He said he wanted the guy to see what he'd done to you." He retorted, sitting back down and leaning back in his chair. I didn't know what to say.
"We were afraid you weren't going to make it. Even the doctors thought that. They said your ribs were pretty screwed up. Luckily, they were able to re-pair them though in surgery." I watched him as he told me this. I noticed how scared he looked.
"Jesse I'm okay! You said yourself the doctors fixed my ribs. I'm okay." I soothed, hoping to bring him some reassurance. He nodded though he still looked like he was a mess. I decided to change the subject.
"When do I get out of here?" I asked, hoping it would be soon.
"A couple of weeks they said." My eyes most have gotten 2 sizes bigger than their normal size.
"N-no I can't stay in here that long" I stuttered. Hospitals scared me and I didn't want to be in here for that long. He sat back up again seeing how his comment scared me.
"It'll be fine." He said lovingly, running his finger up and down my arm. I nodded and felt a lump well up in my throat as the tears threatened to flow. I hoped he was right. Jesse placed a kiss on my temple - and the dam broke. As the tears streamed silently down my face, he placed butterfly kisses on my face - next to my eye, my cheek, my tears, and finally placed a soft kiss at the corner of my mouth. He sat there that night, holding my hand, calming me.
During the next few weeks everyone came to visit but Jesse always stayed. It was a comfort knowing that what Dom said had been true. He did love me.
The day that I was to be discharged came fast but not as quickly as I wanted it to. That morning the nurse unhooked all of the machines that had been connected to me and took the IV out. "Your ribs will heal but its going to take some time. The bruises are going to be there for awhile so no heavy lifting or anything." The doctors had warned me and the rest of the team. I was glad they didn't mention anything about my eating disorder.
The nurse wheeled me out and Dom lifted me into the car. As we pulled into the drive way of the house I noticed some guy standing on the porch. Dom got out and came over to my side of the car not noticing him. He lifted me out and as we approached closer to the porch, he saw. I took one look at his face, and my blood ran cold.