NOAH

Ch. 39

Chapter 39

A hand squeezes mine, warmth flooding through me as I groan, twisting my sluggish bones. I peel my eyes open, Noah's head popping up from the blankets as I blink away fuzzy streaks. He smiles, his appearance melting knots of tension from my stomach. He's still here.

"Well, look who's awake."

I press into the bed, trying to lift my body, but Noah stops me, his head shaking. "Don't, your leg is splinted."

"My leg?" My voice rasps as he presses a button, my bed elevating to face him.

"It's fractured."

I shake my head. "I was walking."

"So was I, but we both collapsed after the adrenaline wore off." He rubs his thumb over my hand. "You're strong as hell for fighting through a bat to the face and a fucking fracture. You're stronger than I'll ever be and that's just a fact."

I nod, tears burning my sight. "Is it over?"

"Almost."

The woman from earlier, now recognizable as a police officer, steps into the room with a small smile. "How you doing?"

"I don't feel anything."

"They have her on some good pain medication, but it's making her pretty sleepy."

She nods, stepping to my bed. "I came to inform you that I'll need a statement from you, but I'll come back tomorrow so you can rest."

"Thank you."

"No problem, sweetheart." She looks around. "Has your aunt been by, yet? We notified her as soon as you were admitted."

Noah rolls his eyes, snorting as he leans back in his chair. "No, and I don't expect her to visit. She's a terrible mother, aunt, and person all together. I think you should take CPS and pay her a visit."

Noah's right, but I'm not surprised she didn't show up here. Once she was no longer legally required to show up, she stopped coming. I never did get hurt often though, so she only had to come whenever I was required to. She barely went when her own kids needed to go.

I nod as her eyes fall on mine and she nods back, stepping towards the door. "I'll get on that as soon as possible."

Noah shakes his head as she steps from the room, sighing as he slides his hands back in mine. "I'm sorry she didn't come."

"You have nothing to apologize for, Noah. I don't want her here."

My head twists to the door as Eli, Cherry, and Blake pop their heads in, a bouquet of flowers in tow. "Knock, knock."

Cherry beams as she sees me, my smile mirroring hers as she runs over. "I thought I heard your voice!"

The dam breaks, tears gushing from eyes as she embraces me. Blake places the flowers on the side table before wrapping his arms around us both, chuckling as they pull back. I drag my hands across my eyes, sniffling as they stand before me.

"I thought I'd never see you guys again."

"Why?" Cherry asks, placing a curl behind my ear. "Because of your family?"

I shake my head as I look down at my covers. "Because of me."

"What?" Cherry chuckles, shaking her head with a smile. "Nicole, you're awesome."

"Really?"

"Yeah." Blake nods, sitting on the edge of my bed. "Even after watching your crazy ass cousins, I'm still your friend. I don't expect things to be perfect, Nic. I like you cause you're not."