Ride - Sweetpea Fanfiction

XIX - So Are We

Chloe's POV:

"You're here for Edward Ellis?" The nurse said, and Mom, Dad, Reggie, Kev and I got to our feet. I told Sweetpea I'd be fine, but he insisted on staying in the parking lot.
"How is he?" My mom asked, and I could hear a slight crack in her voice. She may have her faults, but she cares about her kids.
"He's stable, and he's going to be okay. We won't know about any loss of movement until he wakes, but you're free to go in and see him." She said.

I sat down on the chair.
"Chloe, are you coming in?" Dad asked, as he and mom began opening the door to Ed's room. I shook my head and started to cry again, Kev on one side of me and Reggie on the other. I heard the door close as they went in without me.
"Why don't you want to go in?" Kev asked me.
I just cried harder.

"I feel like I've let him down." I sobbed, and when I looked into Kevin's eyes he knew what I was talking about immediately. He smiled, but couldn't meet my eyes. Just what I expected.

What I didn't expect, was what Reggie said next. "If you're worried about the whole Sweetpea thing he already knows." He said it like it was nothing while he picked at his nails.

I honestly don't know who was more shocked: me or Kevin.
"He- wait, what?" I had to make sure I was hearing him correctly. Surely he didn't just say what I thought he said.
"Chloe, basically everyone knows."
"Hold on a sec, how did you know?"

Reg started to laugh and I was more confused than ever. "The night of the party" his eyes met mine and I blushed, knowing exactly what he was talking about. "You were all over me trying to make him jealous."
"Does he hate me?" Was my first question. "God, I promised I'd never do anything that would hurt him again. Why did I do this to him?" I was starting to panic now, running my hands through my hair. Kevin put a hand on my shoulder to calm me.

"I'm not gonna lie he was pissed at first. But we can all see how you've let loose since seeing him." Reggie continued.
"It's true, Chlo." Kev said. "As cringe as it sounds you've come into your own so much, you seem so much happier and I'm sure everyone can see it."
"Just talk to him. He's your brother, above anything he wants you to be happy." Reg smiled and I knew he was right.

The door to Ed's room creaked open.
"He's asking for you." My dad said, his arm resting around my Mom's shoulders. I wiped my tears and gave him a watery smile, before standing up and making my way to the door.

I wasn't ready for what I saw. He looked so weak. His skin was pale with a blue-green tinge and he was so bruised and cut. It hurt my chest and I felt my eyes start to well up again.
"Don't you dare cry on me" he croaked, and the sound of his voice made it 10x harder to follow his orders.
"Eddie." I whispered "oh my god."

I didn't know what to say. I just rushed to his side, holding his hand in mine.
He held up his pinky and I hooked mine through it, something we had always done in hard times.
"I love you." I whispered.
"I love you too."

I didn't think now was the best time to broach the topic but I knew I had to do it. I couldn't waste anymore time if I could help it.
"And I'm sorry." Despite the cut on his head, he still managed to furrow his brows in confusion.
"What?" I swear this boy can be dumb as hell.
"About Sweetpea."

There was a silence, he just looked into my eyes for a couple of seconds. Like he was thinking, or as if he was looking for something.
"You don't need to apologise." He smiled, but through it I could see disappointment in his eyes. It hurt me so much that I had upset him, especially now that he looked so frail.

"Of course I do. After the while Jessica thing I was so horrible to you because I was just so so angry and I shouldn't have been. We promised we wouldn't let something like this come between us again and after the way I acted I've gone and done it myself" I knew I was rambling but I couldn't stop. "I ended it, Ed. I swear I did but last night I was so upset and all I wanted was to see him and I'm so so so sorry. Just say the word and I'll stop it for good I swear I will, I-"
"Chloe." He cut me off. "Please shut up. My brain's turning to mush." He laughed, but he was so weak it sounded so small. "Look, I'm the one who should be sorry. Sweetpea may be from the south side but my bias is no reason to compare him to Jess. That was different, she was so awful to you and I'll never be able to make up for that I know."

"Eddie I told you it's fine we're past it."
He smiled in response to my comment but I knew he was still guilty.
"I didn't want to admit it at first. But I can see how happy he makes you. You have my blessing. I told you I'd always be there for you."

I swear in that moment all my worries lifted away. Reggie, my parents, the girls, Cheryl, Archie. They could all be dealt with after. Ed said it was okay.
"I'm gonna fall asleep in a minute." He said after a brief pause. "These meds are not fun. Can you tell Reg I love him and I'll see him tomorrow. I know he's been here the whole time and despite what Mom thinks it wasn't his fault."
"Of course I will." I replied, but I didn't move. I kept holding his hand.

"What are you doing?" He asked, clearly confused as to why I didn't leave.
"It's my turn to look after you." I gave him a cheeky grin and he laughed weakly again.
"Chloe, I don't need looking after I'm going to sleep." He continued giggling. "Plus, if that guy likes you half as much as you like him I'd bet my ass he's waiting in the parking lot."

I smiled, he knows me so well.
"You can hug me, you know." He smirked. "I won't break."
I was still careful when I wrapped my arms around him but it felt good, knowing he would be okay.
"I love you so much." I whispered in his ear, and I truly meant it. He was my favourite person in the world.
"I love you too, asshole. Now go get your man." He whispered, and when I stood I saw him rest his head back on the pillow, his eyes beginning to close. I looked back at him and the tears fell, but they were happy tears. My brother is okay.

"How is he?" Reg asked when I left the room. "He's asleep." I replied, pulling the boy into a hug. "But he said he loves you and he'll see you tomorrow. He said despite what Mom thinks it wasn't your fault." I cast a small glance over to my mother but she didn't look apologetic. Stuck up bitch. "He also said go home and shower because you stink."
He laughed and shook his head, pulling away from the hug. "No he didn't you asshole."

"No but he knew you've been here the whole time so he was probably thinking it." I giggled, and Reggie bid us goodbye and left. I hugged Kev too, thanking him for being there for me. I told my parents to go home, and that I'd meet them there soon I just had something to do.

And then I high-tailed it out of there as fast as I could.

-

"Is he okay?" He asked, as soon as I climbed into the passenger seat of his car. He wiped the tear stains from my cheeks and gave me a weak smile. He was probably expecting bad news.
"Yeah, he is." I smiled, and I saw him smile too. God, he really does care about me.

"And so are we." I continued and he looked at me confused. I pushed my lips to his, pulling away only briefly to say "I love you, too" before I kissed him again.

A/N:

Omg finallyyyyyy! Who's glad?
But will it all be plain sailing from here, I wonder?

Sorry for slow updates, back to normal from now one. Love you all & thanks for the continued support even when I'm being an inconsistent, lazy ass. Lots of love x