Third Wheel | EDITING

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

It wasn't long before a nurse came in, telling me that visiting hours wouldn't be permitted past 10.

As much as I would've loved to savor the moment, I reluctantly agreed and nodded much to Gray's despise.

He had wanted me to stay, not wanting to be lonely for the night that awaited him.

"You can Facetime me if you get lonely," I smiled, "I'll take your truck home and leave it at my house."

He nodded before sighed, "Goodbye hug?"

"Not with all those wires no," I reminded him, gesturing to the IV among other things hooked up to him.

"Fair enough, goodnight to you princess." He muttered, "Kiss?"

I sighed and avoided the wire before giving him a slight peck, "There happy?"

"Very," He smirked, "I love you, Mae."

"I love you too Gray," I replied, waving at him before saying 'goodnight' and closing the door.

My heart felt heavy for some reason despite feeling a wave of relief come across me.

I knew he was holding on to me because he was lonely even though he felt like absolute shit.

That concussion was severe enough to cause waves of nausea and sensitivity to sound and light, yet he still forced himself to keep a conversation up with me.

It broke my heart to see him so weak when I wasn't used to it.

I was used to seeing the same goofy Grayson who always kept me on my toes.

I couldn't help but feel guilty, not being able to keep him company.

It was the least I could do and I couldn't even do it right.

•••

Let's make one thing clear: as much as I love my mother, she would be the death of me.

At times like this, I wish my mother stepped up to be more of a mother to my brothers than she ever was for me.

Knowing our income came in plentiful and we were well off, she always had a habit of overworking herself to get away from her problems and stress which resulted in her spending her days away from home as soon as I was able to successfully able to watch Bradley and Lincoln, whether it was legal or not.

My father never showed up. He decided that sending income home to our family while occasionally stopping by and saying 'hi' and sleeping for a night or two on time was well enough for us.

Wow, look at us.

Dysfunctional but cute.

Changing from my cheer uniform to a pair of spandex and an oversized volleyball hoodie that I had gotten a few years back, I took off my bow and began to brush my hair.

Stupid god damned bumps from hair ties and shit.

I look to my phone at the sound of the annoying Facetime ringtone before letting out a laugh at the only person who would Facetime me at an absurd hour.

I accepted the call with my face still red from laughing. The phone faced the ceiling, with me removing my makeup.

"It's only been an hour Gray," I told him, checking the clock and chuckling, "Did you miss me that much?"

"You know it." He replied, the screen dark from the lack of lights in his hospital room, "Wow, I call you and I still don't get to see your face?"

I wipe my hands and pick up my phone before looking at him, "You need to sleep."

I winced watching him groan at the brightness of his phone screen hitting his face due to his sensitivity to light.

"Put your phone down and close your eyes," I sighed, "I'll hang up if this call is bringing you more harm than good."

It was already nearing 11, pretty late if you were meant to be in a hospital room supposedly resting if you ask me.

"I'll hang up if this call is bringing you more harm—" He mocked me before being cut off.

"Grayson Christensen, if you so much so as to called me at this hour while you are supposed to be resting to bug me you shou—" I began, ready to go on a spiel.

"Relax princess, I just missed you." He reassured.

"Just go to sleep princess, don't hang up though. I don't want to be lonely." Grayson admitted.

"I'll sleep after you do Gray," I told him, hearing him let out a deep breath.

"Can you tell me a story?" He mumbled, the sound of him twisting and turning muffling his words.

"You're not supposed to be overstimulated with sound and light right now Gray," I sighed, taking the phone with me to the bathroom to wash my face before bed.

"Your voice makes me feel better," He tells me, "Please?"

Skeptical of his words, I dry my hands and face before reaching for my serums, "That makes no sense."

"What happened when I was injured?" He asked, hoping to start a conversation.

I stopped with the serum dropper still, not wanting to bring myself back to that moment.

"Gray..." I sighed, "You should sleep."

"Lana I—" He started before I interrupted.

"Grayson you should sleep, I'll be here until you fall asleep," I promised, only to be met with silence.

I waited to hear back from him but was met with the sound of his breath.

I smiled and began humming and singing silently as I put on my moisturizer.

It was a while before I finally crawled into bed and checked to see that Grayson hadn't woken up from my humming.

"Good night Gray," I told him, getting ready to hang up.

"You should sing more often," His voice laced with sleep, "I like your voice."

Not wanted to continue to bug him about still being awake, I laid in the dark, humming quietly until I heard the sound of Grayson's soft snores.

"Night, my love."

•••

Hey guys :) As promised here is another chapter! I think you can look forward to 1-3 more this week before it's back to my once a week schedule.

How are y'all?

I hope you haven't given up on this book yet but thank you for supporting me once again :)

This book is a little more than halfway done!

Please comment, vote, share, and follow! Love ya!

-Anne

Editing: This chapter was a lot shorter after editing since I fixed up the scene!

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Updated: 2•19•18
Edited: 11•2•20