Not Us 3: Odette & Ford

Chapter 28

Odette's POV

I heard muffled voices and a loud, beep. I tried to open my eyes, but they didn't want to. And I was still so dang tired. I took a deep breath, letting it out sounding almost like a sigh, and the voices got quieter for a few moments. Thankfully. Peace and quiet. I just want to sleep a little longer. I was feeling my subconscious starting to sleep into darkness when the voices started again.

"Just hear him out. He didn't leave. He just forgot to call. I'm sure Jake's done that too," a deep voice said.

"Yes. But Jake's never abandoned me like he did to her. She had a panic attack and fainted," a woman's voice said. Was that Mom? What's she doing here? Where is here? I was in my house...looking for Ford...

Oh.

"But. There's something you and the doctor aren't saying. Isn't there. What else is it?" The voice starts talking about.

"I told you, Briggs. I'll be telling my daughter first. It's her body. She deserves to know first." That doesn't sound good. Like...at all. What's going on with my body that she needs to keep from him? He's my brother-in-law. One of my best friends. What isn't he allowed to know?

I tried to open my mouth to call out to her, but it was like my voice got caught in my throat and I couldn't get it out. I tried to open my eyes, and it wasn't too bright. Thank the lord! Usually, in all those romance novels, it's always blindingly bright the first time the main female character opens her eyes after an accident and has to scrunch her eyes shut. That, honestly, sounds like it might make my head hurt worse. I blinked a few times, my eyes feeling dry and scratchy like someone rubbed sand in them. Joy.

"Mom?" I croaked out, my voice hoarse and strained.

"Baby!" she called out just above a murmur, but not too loudly, and rushed to the bed. Her hands cupped my cheeks and then my hand, but nothing more. Like she was afraid to hurt me.

Oh god. Am I dying?

"I have to pee." She nodded, pressing the button for the nurse.

"The doctor needs to check you out first. Then, Briggs wants us to listen to...what he's got to say, alright?" I barely nodded my head, but it felt like I was a bobblehead. Like I was completely hammered and I was going to fall over drunk at any given second. I just kept my head against the pillow, trying not to move it so I didn't feel like the ground was moving underneath me. I looked at Briggs and he looked pissed, but trying to be calm for me. Soon enough, doctors and nurses were in my room, checking my vitals, asking questions, and letting me know what I was allowed to do physically.

"Has your mom had a chance to talk to you about what's going on with you?"

"No," I say, keeping my head still because every time I move, my head is spinning and I'd rather feel like the earth is firmly planted beneath me. Mom stood up and walked to Briggs, asking him to step out, but promising that when I'm ready to talk, she'll let them in.

Them? Who's them? Is Jac here? My kiddos? The thought of my kids being here brings tears to my eyes again. I miss them. I wish I was snuggled up with them. Two of the nurses come over and help me up, making sure I take my time since I'm feeling incredibly dizzy. Once I came back out, Mom and the doctor were sitting there talking in hushed voices. I laid back down on the bed, taking a moment to gather myself before I was ready to talk.

"Odette?" Mom came and sat next to me, "Honey. When you came in, you had a really bad gash on your head and a concussion. So, they wanted to make sure you were okay because head wounds...they just gush. Everywhere. Well, they did your bloodwork..." she had tears in her eyes.