Page 50 of Keeping Collette

“Hey, yes, you’re at LA County. We’re taking you to emergency now.”

Her vision had cleared a little, and she could make out the paramedic’s uniform. “Deal?”

“What?”

Collette went to shake her head, but a stiff collar kept her neck in place. The paramedic wouldn’t have any idea who Deal was. Her scrambled brain took a few seconds, but she remembered his given name. “Kayce. Where?”

Another stab of pain hit her, stopping her from saying anymore.

“I’ll see what I can find out. Let the doctors do their job. You’re going to be okay.”

With the amount of pain she was currently experiencing, Collette wasn’t sure if she was being told the truth or was being placated so she didn’t stress herself out.

Although that didn’t matter, as the threads of unconsciousness inched their way across her until she was wrapped up in it. Nothing hurt when she slept.

“How long has she been out?”

“A couple of hours. The surgeon said it would take a while for her to come around.”

“She’s going to be okay. She was really lucky.”

Conversation was swirling around Collette, confusing her. Had she fallen asleep with the television on? Although one of the voices sounded like Deal, and the others were familiar to her.

“Did you talk to the guy who hit her?”

“The fucker was so high, I don’t think he knew what he was doing. I know they brought him here as well. I’m planning to pay him a visit.”

“Do you think that’s wise?”

“Wouldn’t you if it was Steff lying here?”

The voices were getting louder, and with that, Collette’s awareness of her surroundings was slowly peeking through the fog in her mind.

“Deal?” Had she said his name out loud, or had she only thought it?

“I know I would do anything to keep her safe, so yeah, I’d probably go ask questions.”

“Damn right you would.”

“Deal.” Collette tried to say it a little louder, but why did it sound more like a croak to her ears.

“Collette? Baby?” A second later, her hand was squeezed tightly, and she reflexively squeezed back. “Hey. Call the doctor, Jag.”

“As I really shouldn’t be here, I’ll go get him and just say I popped my head in⁠—”

“I don’t give a fuck what you do or say, just get him in here.”

If she could’ve laughed, she would’ve at the exchange between the two friends. They were squabbling like siblings. As it was, Collette was struggling to open her eyes and not let herself fall back asleep.

She wanted to see Deal.

Willing whatever little strength she had in her, she silently commanded her eyelids to lift. The muted light of the room penetrated the tiny sliver, before they drifted down again. She wasn’t going to give up. She would see Deal.

Collette blinked a few more times before she was able to fully take in her surroundings.

“There she is.” Deal loomed over her. Not in a scary way, but in a comforting way. His smile was soft and welcome.

“Hey.” She couldn’t seem to manage more than one-word responses, but at least she was awake. Her brain was still fuzzy but the urge to sink back to sleep wasn’t so compelling as it had been a few seconds ago.