Then There Was You

Chapter 18: Hush

Lilah

"Do you think they'll let me see him?" Tyreek asked as I walked to my car in the parking lot.

"I really don't see why they wouldn't. I only went first because I saw them going, and they let me spend the night," I told him as I unlocked the door and threw my bag in the backseat.

Looking back at him, I pushed some hair off my face and squinted from the afternoon sunlight. "Did you know Josh was back?" I asked.

His eyes widened. "For real? I'mma hit him up then. That's my dude," he said, grinning from ear to ear as he pulled out his phone.

While he did that, I got in my car and, after starting the engine, put down the window. "Alright, I better get going," I said before slowly pulling out of my spot.

"Alright, for sure. Visiting hours end at what time?" he called after me, and I shouted back, "6 PM!"

He replied with a thumbs up, and I was now on my way to the hospital.

   Somehow, I'd managed to make it through the entire day, pushing back the bad thoughts that threatened to drown me deeper in melancholy. As I walked through the hospital entrance, I forced on a polite smile as I went past the nurses at the front desk. With cold, clammy fingers, I waited for the elevator, only now lingering on the worrisome thoughts.

Would he ever be able to walk again?

Was there even any hope before?

Was there still hope now?

   As the metal doors opened, I dragged in a shaky breath. Did he even want me here? I wondered as I stepped into the elevator. Recalling his reaction all the times I came by unexpectedly, my worries were warranted. I sure hoped he didn't mind. Then again, being in his presence was a privilege I never earned, so maybe he was right not to want me here for it.

The elevator doors began to close, then stopped abruptly. I raised my eyes from the floor and flinched when I saw Caleb standing in the doorway, his strong arm holding the door open.

"Oh hey. Fancy meeting you here," he said, feigning surprise.

My whole body stiffened as he stepped inside and stood right in front of the doors until they shut, trapping me in.

"Why are you here, Caleb?" I asked, squaring my shoulders as best as my fear would allow.

He gestured to the box in his hand. "Just stopping by to see an old friend."

I shook my head in disbelief, and he smirked and chuckled. "Fine, you got me," he admitted, raising his hands in surrender, the gesture only accentuating his giant frame.

"You didn't look too good at school. I thought I should keep an eye on you," he said and stepped to the side, leaning his head back against the metal frame.

"How kind of you," I gritted out.

He winked at me. "Well, we both know how you get under pressure. Just wanted to make sure you don't go running that pretty mouth to the family. How disappointed would they be if only they knew..."

"What the hell do you want from me? Don't you think you've done enough?" I cut him off, stepping boldly towards him with a determination I didn't know I had in me.

Caleb chuckled as he eyed me up and down. "Relax, babe. I'm just here to remind you that if you rat me out, I won't go down alone. I have plenty to drag you down with me. So just do us both a favor: don't let your feelings rule you, and hush."