Can't Get Enough | Danny Amendola

Chapter 33

"Thank you so much," I mumbled as I practically threw a twenty at the cab driver. I slid out of the back and slammed the car door shut before running into the hospital. Once I got through the doors, I looked around for the elevators. When I saw them, I dodged over to them and pulled out my phone to find my texts from Julian so I could confirm the floor that they were on.

Julian 12:34

Have a safe flight. We're in 325 for when you get here. We will see you soon.

I pressed the button for the third floor and waited for the elevator to ascend up to where Danny and Julian were. As I stood there, waiting, I looked down at the lockscreen of Danny and Clay at the park as Clay attempted to eat Danny's digits. The picture always made me melt. Those two would always be my everything.

The elevator doors slid open, and I moved out. The sign on the wall said that rooms 320-340 were to my right. I whipped to my side and began moving down the hall, nearly running. Julian was leaning up against the wall right outside the door waiting for me. "Julian," I said, almost in tears. Upon seeing him, it really hit me. Danny's wasn't the one that was okay— and I wasn't there for him... But Julian was. And for that I was thankful.

He looked up from his phone, pushed himself off the wall and stood up straight. "Jame! There you are," he said as he moved toward me. Once I was near him, he pulled me into his arms and hugged me tight. "How are you holding up?" he asked as he pulled back and looked down at me. His blue eyes were full of tiredness and what looked like worry and fright.

I let out a sigh and shook my head. "As well as I can. I've been so worried about him," I mumbled as I looked down at my feet. "He must really hate me, though." I shouldn't have been so bitter.

Julian shook his head. "I'm sure you'll be able to explain yourself when he's up for it," Julian replied. His words had meaning, and I prayed that he was right.

"How is he," I asked. I was worried as I looked up into Julian's icy eyes. "Please tell me he's okay."

He shook his head and completely pulled away from me. He ran a hand through his hair and let out a shaky sigh. His blue eyes never left mine. "Well," he began, "He just got back from surgery about 30 minutes ago. He hasn't woken up yet. They said his lung was only partially collapsed, but they believe it will heal fine. As for his ribs... He's broken two on the left hand side... And... I just..." Julian shook his head, his eyes becoming wet.

I put my hand on his bicep and rubbed it in hopes of keeping him calm. It hurt to see him hurt so much, but at least I knew Julian was there for him... For us. And that felt good.

"I feel terrible. I hope it's not because of me... I just... They're the same ones he broke last time. I never meant to hurt him the first time, Jame," Julian told me, rapidly shaking his head. "I really didn't mean to!" His blue eyes were now full of guilt— and they shouldn't have been.

"Julian... Stop... This isn't your fault," I told him as I moved forward and pulled him in for a hug. "He got hit... That's what did it. You have no fault in this. Now stop feeling sorry for yourself and go home. You need some sleep and you should be with Pen right now." I pulled away and looked up at him. "Those two dogs won't be able to comfort her like you can."

He nodded. A small smile made a its way into his face. "You're right... Wouldn't want Winnie to get any ideas with Clay being there. If you two need anything, you know Pen and I will be there for ya. We are just a call away," Julian replied. "Now, you should head in. He'll be waking up soon." He nudged me forward toward the door.

I looked back at him and nodded. "Thank you Jules. Have a safe flight home," I practically whispered before facing the door again. With a deep breath I pushed it open and made my way in.

My hand immediately slapped over my mouth. In front of me was Danny lying in the bed, looking the palest I had ever seen him. It seemed as if hundreds of IV's were connected to his body, and there was a nasal cannula connected to his nose.

Tears pulled down my cheeks as I inched closer to the bed. His chest was rising and falling as he slept, and I was quite thankful for that. I plopped down in the chair next to the bed and grabbed his hand tightly.

I began sniffling as I looked up to his face. He looked so peaceful, but I could tell he was in pain by the way his breath hitched a bit at every breath in. "Please be okay, Danny," I whispered as I leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the back of his cold hand.

That was when his hand grasped mine. "I am," he grunted out. "Just hurt." My heart broke. He'd never sounded so broken. I couldn't imagine how he was feeling.

He sounded like he'd been hit by a freight train. "Danny? I-I... Are you okay? I-I'll go get the doctor! Are you in pain?!" My eyes snapped up to look into his.

This big brown eyes were full of fright as they looked up at me. My heart was pumping. He'd always been the strong one. How could he be the one in this predicament and not me? I deserved it after the way I treated him. "A little," he mumbled out, sleep still deep in his voice.

But I knew that meant yes, he was in a lot of pain— he was never the type to admit when he was down because he was a stubborn motherfucker. "Just... Don't do anything," I said as I gripped his hand a little tighter and placed my other one on his bicep. "I'll be right back! W-with a nurse!"

I moved out of the hospital room and darted down the hall toward the nurses desk.

***

"I-I'm so glad you're okay," I mumbled as I held Danny's hand in both of mine. I never wanted to let him go. "God. I-I was so scared. I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier... before your surgery."

Over my plane ride to Pittsburgh, I couldn't help but think about how he needed me. And I decided that no matter how mad I was, or how scared I was that he wasn't interested anymore, I was still gonna stand beside him. I may not be his world anymore, but he was still mine and I would be there for him.

"Thank you for coming," Danny mumbled. His voice was extremely shaky. "It means a lot. You came. That's all that matters."

Tears pulled from my eyes as I continued to look at him. "You shouldn't be talking too much right now," I warned. "I'm sorry I didn't watch the game to know. I'm sorry, Danny. I am."

I dipped my head down so my forehead was resting on the edge of the bed. Tears began pulling from my eyes.

Danny's hand left mine and then a hand was carding through my hair. "I-it's okay, Jame."

And it wasn't. I was a dumbass.