Spurs for Studs.

13

The drive to the hospital sucked. My eyes stung with tears. I knew I needed to call Sam but I was scared. And I was scared to get there. What if Abi died. I couldn't go on, no matter what I told myself if she were to go I might have to go with her.

With more then 30 minutes left in the drive I give Sam the call back. I tap on the icon and switch to speaker, setting the phone on the dash as I take a left. She doesn't let it ring more then twice. "What the fuck Coal!"

"I know. Just let me have it. I fucked up. I got thirty minutes left so just rip me a new one."

"Why would you put Kristie in that situation?"

"I didn't mean to. Honestly, if I knew what this week was going to look like I would've never invited her. I did what I had to do to keep my family safe. And so you know, Kristie is put up in a hotel the next town over. She has my number and I offered to send her home early."

"Do you ever think? Like honest question?"

"I do. I thought when I asked her out, and when I kept her out of harms way. Look Sam I feel so bad; I really do but I'm trying my best with what I have. You have to cut me some, just an inch. That's all I ask."

"Now how is your sister?"

"She's doing well, last I heard she has a good chance at recovering, I'll take her to Houston with me and get her out of this fucking town."

"And your brother?"

"He's been rushed back to surgery 4 times in the last two days. He might not pull through and if he does he'll be a cucumber."

"Well as much as I want to hate you, Kristie made me promise to not hate you, so if you need anything I'm here. And please give Kristie her space-"

"I will-"

"I'm not done yet, give her, her space; let her process, but don't let her leave. Just text her goodnight and goodmorning, ask her if she's eaten. Take care of her. Please because I don't want to see her like she was after Rachel. Please just promise me this."

"I promise. Now if you're done ripping into me I need to go see my brother."

"I'm done and I'm serious just keep checking up on her. Make yourself an outlet."

"Will do. Now you have a good day and can you keep me Updated."

"I will, I'll keep you in my prayers."

The line drops and I wipe the stray tear. I climb from the truck and walk into the hospital, I hate the feeling and the lights, everything about this place made me want to rip out my fucking brain.

No one talks to me on the way in, they just let me pass. I make the wordless climb down the hall and up the elevator, one left followed by a right, and then into his room. His wife and momma are crying in their chairs. "What did I miss?"

"They are trying to stabilize him, and he doesn't want to stabilize."

"Can let me back there to slap the sense into him."

"I wish they would."

"And Abi?"

"She should be waking up in the next hour."

"Well I'm gonna go sit with her."

"Alright but coal what did you do to Jacki?"

"Well I killed him that night. I chucked him in one of the trenches and covered him."

"Ohh Umm okay."

I just nod and walk down the hall to Abi. I perch myself on the plastic chairs and drum fingers on her wrist. No real rhythm just a way to burn through the anxiety. And then she starts twitching. I thought it was fake at first but she's like actually twitching. I shout out of the room for help. And a team of nurses run in. "What's wrong?" They all gasp in panic.