{BOOK THREE}...When unworldly literature student Jeon Jungkook first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Kim Taehyung it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, r...
When we return to the hospital that evening, Minho looks different. It takes me a moment to realize that the suck and push of the ventilator has vanished. Minho is breathing on his own. Relief floods through me . I stroke his stubbly face, and taking out a tissue to gently wipe, the spittle from his mouth.
Taehyung stalks off to find Dr. Sluder or Dr. Crowe for an update, while I take my familiar seat beside his bed to keep a watchful vigil.
I unfold the sports section of the Sunday Oregonian and conscientiously begin reading out the report about the Sounders soccer game against Real Salt Lake.
By all accounts, it was a wild game, but the Sounders were defeated by an own goal from Kasey Keller. I grip Minho's hand firmly in mine as I read it through.
"And the final score, Sounders 1, Real Salt Lake 2."
"Hey, Kook, we lost? No!" Minho rasps, and he squeezes my hand.
Oh my god!
Tears stream down my face. He's back. My father is back.
"Don't cry, Kookie." Minho's voice is hoarse. "What's happening?"
I take up his hand in both of mine and cradle it against my face. "You've been in an accident. You're in the hospital in Portland."
Minho frowns, and I don't know if it's because he's uncomfortable with my uncharacteristic display of affection, or that he can't remember the accident.
"Do you want some water?" I ask, though I'm not sure if I'm allowed to give him any. He nods, bewildered. My heart swells. I stand up and lean over him, kissing his forehead. "I love you, Minho. Welcome back."
He waves his hand, embarrassed. "Me, too, Kook. Water." I run the short distance to the nurses' station.
"My dad—he's awake!" I beam at Nurse Kellie, who smiles back.
"Page Dr. Sluder," she says to her colleague and hurriedly makes her way around the desk.
"He wants water."
"I'll bring him some."
I skip back to my father's bed, I feel so light-hearted.
His eyes are closed when I reach him, and I immediately worry that he's slipped back into a coma.
"Dad?"
"I'm here," he mutters and his eyes flutter open as Nurse Kellie appears with a jug of ice chips and a glass.
"Hello, Mr. Jeon. I'm Kellie, your nurse. Your son tells me you're thirsty." -
In the waiting room, Taehyung is staring fixedly at his laptop, deep in concentration. He glances up when I close the door.
