Forgotten ✓︎

Chapter 31

Jared

I groaned in pain and rolled back over on to my back. 

Healing from a gunshot wound was the worst experience of his life. I was so much more limited in what I could and couldn't do, and it seemed like the list of things I could do was under ten items whereas the list of things I couldn't do was a mile long. I wanted the wound to heal already.

"You good?" my sister's voice came through my door. 

"Yep," I managed to get out. "Just rolled onto my bad side."

"Can I come in?" she asked. 

"Yeah."

She opened the door and walked into my room, staring at me, hands on her hips. 

"Let me see your bandages," she demanded. 

I carefully took off my shirt, trying not to jolt my shoulder again. 

She walked over, gently checking both sides. Satisfied, she began to peel off the bandage on my back. I knew the drill by now. 

"The kit's on my dresser," I told her. "Mom changed them last time."

"Perfect. I'll let this air out for a moment and check your stitches."

She took off the second bandage and tossed both in the trash before grabbing fresh ones. She inspected the stitches and frowned. I looked at her curiously. 

"I'm going to apply some of the ointment on here. I don't like how red it still looks," Reyna explained. 

"Are you sure it's not just irritation?" I asked her. 

"I'd rather be safe than sorry. Let it sit for a little bit, and then I'll do your bandages for you."

"On the bright side, this is supposed to be healed by the time your wedding rolls around."

Reyna gave me a side eye. "Travis and I talked. We're thinking about pushing it off for another year."

I looked at my sister in confusion. 

"Jared, you were shot. Your girlfriend has broken bones and was shot. I don't have it in me to go back to wedding planning just yet."

"I don't think you should postpone it because of us. Maybe wedding planning is the distraction that we need right now," I argued. 

"While I appreciate the sentiment, I'm not in the headspace to plan a wedding, and Travis agrees with me. We want to make sure our family is okay before we go through with the wedding."

"Rey," I sighed.

"Nope. Not having this conversation with you," she said stubbornly. 

I rolled my eyes playfully. "When do you ever?"

She laughed and gently pushed my good shoulder. "It happens, okay?"

"Sure," I drawled. 

She shook her head and started bandaging my wound again. 

"How much longer you think?" I asked her, for the millionth time. 

She glared at me and pressed the tape a little harder than necessary, making me flinch. 

"It's a gunshot wound, Jared. It's not going to heal overnight," she pointed out. 

"I know," I defended myself. "I'm just curious."

"About a month, barring any complications. You need to make sure you're staying hydrated and getting lots of rest. That'll help your recovery go a little faster."