All Roads Lead Home (Book #1)

Chapter 24

I get back to Cold Brook early the next morning. I just want to sleep but I know I need to go to Ethan and Ava's to see everyone. I need to see Jay.

I call Jay's phone again. It rings 4 times before going to voicemail again. I hit end and continue to drive to Ethan and Ava's.

When I arrive the only car in the driveway is Josh's. I park the jeep and walk up to the front door. Just as I raise my hand to knock the door swings open.

"Krys?! Oh my God!" Josh says as he pulls me into a hug. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Away. Where is everyone? Why isn't Jay answering his phone?"

"You haven't heard about the accident, have you?"

"What accident? What happened Josh?"

"Jay was driving into the county to get parts that he ordered for your dads truck because he was working on getting it running again." Josh says.

"He was rounding a corner and a semi truck was swerving into his lane. I guess he tried to swerve out of the way but the truck clipped him. His truck flipped Krys."

"Is he okay?" I ask as I rush back to the jeep.

Josh climbs in with me as I start it up and begin the drive to the hospital.

"He's not doing well. I'll let dad tell you more when we get there."

I just nod my head as I drive in silence. I can't lose him too. Please God, don't take him too.

We get to the hospital and park near the front.

"Follow me," Josh says. He guides me down the hallways towards Jay's room.

We get to the door and Josh walks in. I stop just outside the door as it closes. I take a deep breath in and rest my hand on my stomach. Deep breath out.

I open the door and walk into the room. The heavy door clicks closed behind me and everyone turns to see me standing there.

Ethan is the first person to walk over to me and give me a hug. He pulls me close and the tears fall.

"Where have you been?" he asks as he squeezes my shoulders.

"I was at dads cabin," I say as I look over his shoulder. "Jay?"

"He's stabilized, but he slipped into a coma just after surgery."

I begin to sob as Ethan leads me to the chair by his bed. I sit down and grab his hand and just squeeze it.

"Where's his dad?" I ask as I look around the room for Tony.

"We made him go get some food and sleep. He's been here since the second they brought Jay in," Ava says as she runs her fingers through my hair, trying to calm me down. 

"Okay," I say as I continue to hold his hand. "He's going to be okay, right? He's going to wake up?"

"He's young and strong, Krys," Ethan says. "The coma is probably just his body's way of helping him heal. Only time will tell."

I nod my head. "He has to wake up Ethan. We can't lose him."

"I know," he says.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Everyone left later that night but I stayed at the hospital. I refuse to leave him again.

The next morning I was woken up by the nurse.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up. I was just checking on Jayden," she says as she picks up his chart and checks the machines.

I watch as his heartbeat plays across the screen. It's still beating and that's what matters right now.

"Is there any change from yesterday?"

"Sadly no. But no change is also a good thing Krystah. It means that his situation isn't getting any worse and that's a good thing. It may not seem like it, but it is," she says as she puts his chart away and walks out of the room.

I get up and walk into the bathroom. I splash cold water on my face and take a deep breath.

I walk out and Tony is sitting in the chair I was previously sleeping in. I walk over to him and he wraps me in a big bear hug.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left. If I was here..."

"You could have been in that truck with him and you'd be in the same place he is. This isn't your fault Krys and it could have happened even if you didn't leave," he says to reassure me.

I nod my head into his shoulder. "I'm still sorry I left."

"We know you are. It's what you needed to do to get over everything. Nobody faults you for leaving."

"I know that. I just feel bad for doing it and not telling Jay that..." I stop before revealing the pregnancy.

"Telling him what?"

"That I love him."

Tony just nods his head while I take a seat in the other chair next to the bed.

This is going to be a long wait.