Blindsided

Chapter 2

Jason Atkins. Jason freaking Atkins. The same Jason Atkins I lost my virginity to fifteen years ago.

"Jason?"

His name comes out as more of a squeak than an actual sound.

Of course.

"Would you follow us, please?" the nurse chimes in before she begins walking away.

Instantly, I'm transported back fifteen years to the night of my senior prom. Jason, whom I was dating at the time, had just told me he had gotten into the pre-med program at the University of Toronto. I figured we needed to commemorate the night with something. 

Okay, you caught me; I had wanted to have sex with him for a while. I also wanted to take my chance to be with him before we went off to separate universities.

Although it was a bit awkward, it was the best night of my young-adult life. Jason was so sweet and gentle, like he always was, and tried his hardest to make everything perfect. He didn't have to try, though, he was perfect. He had always been perfect. That's why I fell for him, because of his kindness and huge heart and not to mention his piercing blue eyes and his killer body. 

I wonder if he still resembles a smidgen of his young self.

"Wait," I say, pulling myself out of the haze, "you're a surgeon?" 

"Yes, I'm a neurological surgeon."

"And you operated on my sister?"

"Yes. I had no clue until I updated the chart afterward."

"Afterwards? Oh God, please tell me she's okay."

"Kate," he says, touching my arm softly, "she's going to be okay."

Jason's reassurance allows my body to settle, slightly, for the first time in hours.

"Can I see her?"

"Yes, that's where we're taking you now."

We walk in silence the rest of the way to Briana's room. When I walk in, I see her hooked up to numerous tubes and a ventilator. Both of her legs are sealed and bound in casts. 

Panic immediately takes over my body.

"I thought you said she was going to be fine?" I say, directing my words at Jason.

"She will be, Kate. Please, have a seat."

Jason ushers me over to a chair across the room. I sit willingly, knowing full well that I won't be able to handle the news standing up. 

"Briana's injuries are quite severe. She has fractures in both of her legs and is suffering from serious head trauma. When we were in the operating room addressing her brain bleed-"

"I'm sorry, her what?" I say, cutting him off.

He takes a hold of my hand.

"After being hit, her body made impact with the pavement at a significant force, and her head took the brunt of it. So yes, she was suffering from a small bleed and most likely a concussion."

"Oh..."

"Now, while we were in the operating room, her brain started to swell. This occurs when the brain is exposed to a significant amount of trauma. But, because the brain is held within the skull, which is solid, it has nowhere to go when it expands. So, what I've done is removed pieces from her skull to give her brain some extra room. This process is quite painful, so, for her comfort, we have placed her in a medically induced coma until the swelling in her brain goes down. Once the brain has reduced its swelling, we will take her back into surgery to close her back up."