The Convict

Recovery

My doctor scolds me for leaving, but once I am readmitted to the hospital, they fix up my stitches and I am once again bedridden. On the third day, the cops come and give me back my phone and keys and tell me my car has been towed.

I ask about any possible charges and all they tell me is that they are still investigating.

I don't like the sound of that.

What if they find all that info about Dakota?

It just makes me worry.

The day after that BB finally comes to see me. She's been in a room just a few doors down from mine. Her family has been in to see her but none of them came to see me. Not that I expected them to. BB's family has never really accepted me.

I guess BB told them about all the drama between us ever since we first got together, and ever since then they wanted nothing to do with me. Always said I was bad news for BB, no good, a user. I used to think they were being too critical, but after everything that's happened I can see it from their side now.

"Hey," BB limps over to me using crutches.

"You need to be lying down," I chastise her.

"Doctor said I should walk around a little bit. Test the waters." She defends herself.

"Let me see," I sit up on my bed.

She lifts her shirt and reveals the gnarly scar. They are letting it air out before putting on another bandage. She has staples in her stomach.

I sigh and run my fingers across it.

"And you?" she asks me.

"Was almost paralyzed. Might be a hot minute before I can walk around. Fractured my cheekbone and cracked a few ribs, also dislocated my shoulder, nothing that won't heal." I assure her.

She grabs my hand in hers and shakes her head at me.

I turn to avoid her gaze, looking at all the flowers by my bedside.

Lots of people have been sending me flowers. My family and friends, fans of my book, and randoms who saw me on TV.

My parents are out today. Dad has to work and mom went to run some errands, she'll be back by nightfall though. She doesn't like me staying alone in the hospital. My brother has been to visit a few times, Mom and Dad filled him in on everything that happened.

"Thank you," I say after a long pause, squeezing her hand in mine. "For coming after me. You saved my life."

"Always."

"I... I'm sorry I dragged you into all this. It's my fault you are hurt," I clench my jaw and hold back tears.

"Well, I won't argue that." She jumps up and sits next to me on the bed.

I move over to give her some room to lie next to me.

I turn to face her and my heart skips several beats as the sun shines just right in those dark and serious eyes.

"Talk to me," she brushes my hair behind my ear.

"Look... I don't know how this is going to end. Any second now the police will find out that Dakota is at my house, and hell, they might even say I killed her parents on purpose to cover that up. I... I am probably going to go to jail BB, for a very long time."

"Don't say that," she says softly, worry on her face.

"It's the truth, I said it before but this time, I mean it. Just... go. Get away from me. Before you get yourself killed. This is my mess, my problem. I already got you hurt. When Vegas shot you... I lost myself for a second. I was so scared I was going to lose you. I don't ever want to feel that way again. Go, find yourself someone who can love you like you deserve. Your family is right about me, Bernida. I'm not good for you." I feel a tear slide down my cheek and I have to look away from her.

"No." She says sternly.

"BB—"

"No." she grabs my chin and forces me to meet her eyes.

I feel more tears slide down my cheeks.

"I love you, Melony. I am not going anywhere. Even if that means I have to put up with your little killer. Maybe it's human nature for us to love the things that hurt us most. Just like you can't help but love Dakota, I can't help but love you. I don't want any other girl. I don't care what my family says, what you say, because I know that the only girl for me is sitting right here crying, trying to be noble and push me away to save me. Tell me, what other girl would do that for me? What other girl would be as selfless as to push the one they love away just so I won't get hurt in the aftermath of everything? Who Melony?"

I open my mouth but no words come out.

"I knew it from the moment they pulled you out of that house alive that I was never going to let you go again. Never. I know all about the baggage you come with. I know about Dakota. I know every medication you have to take. I know the names of all your doctors. I know everything I need to know to continue to take care of you and keep you happy. And I am not going to sit here and let you walk head first into a burning building, not alone."

"BB you don't understand I'm trying to save you, it's too late for me." I plea.

"I don't want to understand," she says before kissing me.

My heart flutters and I close my eyes, deepening the kiss.

We pull apart after just one kiss.

"Dakota's gonna kill me," I sigh.

"She'll have to get through me first," BB smirks.

I rest my head on BB's shoulder.

She interlocks our fingers.

For a moment we just sit in silence.

"How are we going to make this work?" I ask her.

"I don't know." She admits.

"I love you Bernida, I really do, but..."

"I know." She says.

I sigh in defeat.

"Dakota tried to kill herself," I say after a beat of silence.

"Lesly told me."

"I don't know what I'm going to do with that girl. I really don't."

"Lesly also told me that Dakota told her that you two are married," BB says.

I cringe.

"Is it true?" BB turns to face me.

"Yeah, it kind of is. Well, not officially, obviously, but Dakota and I sort of had our own little wedding ceremony. It was super cute. She set up the whole thing. Then we went to Florida for our honeymoon." I explain.

BB huffs and rolls her eyes.

"You know if you gave her a fair chance like Lesly, I think you would actually like Dakota."

"Never. Not after all she's done to you. I will never forgive her."

I sigh.

"Knock, knock," The nurse walks in. "Sorry to interrupt, but it's time for your medication Bernida."

"Oh, okay, I'm coming." BB sits up.

I peck her on the cheek and help her off the bed. The nurse has to come over to lend a helping hand too. I watch as Bernida limps out of the room and out of my line of sight.

Well if BB isn't going anywhere and Dakota isn't going anywhere, I don't know what I'm going to do. The two of them seem hell-bent on fighting for me. Not that I will ever understand why. Love is strange I guess.

I'll just have to figure it out one day at a time.