Three Months and You're Mine (In Too Deep) (9 page)

I looked around the room for a clock or something else that could tell me what time it was. "How long was I out of it?"

The doctor looked down at my chart. You came in about twenty-eight hours ago. You were up and talking, and even signed a consent form for your surgery, but we'd already spoken with your mother and told her you probably wouldn't remember much. It's best to go into surgery right away, and Dr. Reynolds was available to work on you. He's the one who did your leg."

"Then, you must be the
one who fixed my face," I said.

"
Noooo, but I was the attending physician when you came in and I took care of making sure you had the best team of specialists for your injuries.

"Oh, I think I remember you from
the sponge bath, right?" The doctor's eyes grew huge, and she flushed, trying to put the chart in front of her to hide the smile that spread across her face. I glanced at my mom who was less worried about my manners and more happy that I was feeling good enough to mess around.

"I'm a general surgeon, Mr. Larson. I haven't given a sponge bath since residency."

"I'm just messing with you," I said, smiling. "I'd really like to hear what Dr. Reynolds has to say about my leg."

She cleared her throat and looked down at my chart, thumbing through the first two or three pages
then she looked up at me. "I'm not sure how much you remember us telling you, but both of your surgeries happened at once. Of course, Dr. Reynolds spent seven hours on your leg and Dr. Roy only worked on your face for about two."

"No, I definitely don't remember anything about having simultaneo
us surgeries," I said, maybe a little too sarcastically.

"Well you did, Mr. Larson, and you should know you had the best in the business working on you. Injuries of this sort are very common in motorcycle accidents, and let me tell you, your situation could have been much worse."

I laid my head back on my pillow, closed my eyes, and breathed a sigh. What I thought was, "Yeah, but my situation coulda been a lot fucking better too," but what I said was, "How long do I have to be here, and how long before I can swim?"

"
You'll be here for at least a few more days, but probably a week max. We'll need to do some more scans while you're here, and monitor you, but you seem to be fine internally. Your hip's going to be really sore, but structurally it seems to be unscathed. Your knee took the worst of it. Both bones of your lower leg were broken at the top, near your knee. Dr. Reynolds had to do some pretty extensive reconstruction. He's the person you'll need to talk to about swimming. We're all big fans, by the way. I'm sorry we had to meet you like this."

Chapter 9

Meredith

I stayed out all night on my birthday. After I left Gretche
n's, I went straight to that late night pub where I met my Paradise Island people. Zack was right. There was all sorts of craziness you could get yourself into in the middle of the night in Los Angeles. Right after I made it to the bar, Caleb offered me something from his collection of designer pills. He pointed out this specific one and said that it would just make me feel really chill. I took it without so much as a split-second consideration for how it might affect me or how I'd get home.

It turned out
I didn't even have to think about how to get home. I left my car in a parking garage near the bar, and I got a ride home with Bailey. It was only logical since Bailey was spending the night in my apartment anyway. She lived with her boyfriend, and when they got in a big, dramatic fight about something irrelevant, he told her not to worry about coming home. I thought it was really funny that he thought he had the right to treat her like that when she was the one who paid the rent and all he did was sit around and play video games. 

Anyway, the freeloader kicked Bailey out of
her own house, so she crashed at my place. She slept on the couch, and in spite of my place being so small, it was nice waking up to someone else's presence in my room. Maybe I just missed sleepovers. After a long night of partying followed by breakfast, Bailey and I didn’t get to sleep until 10AM Saturday morning.

It was 5PM Saturday evening when I woke up to Bailey shaking my arm.
"Hey. I need to be getting back home if I'm going to patch things up with my boyfriend," she said.

I moaned as I stretched.

"I would have just left you sleeping, but I thought you might want a ride to your car."

I nodded sleepily. "I do. Just give me a second to wake up."

"No problem, I was thinking about leaving in ten or fifteen minutes. Do you want a cup of coffee? I saw a place down the block."

I stretched and groaned.
"We can stop on the way out," I said. "I can be ready pretty quick. Just give me a second to wake up and splash some water on my face."

Bailey and I rode in mostly silence as we sipped our coffee
on the way to pick up my car. She drove a really nice two-seater Nissan sports car that was really fun to ride in, even in my hung-over state. 

She got a text
while she was driving, and as we came to a stop at a red light, she pulled her phone out to read what was on the screen.

"Oh my God, that's terrible," she said staring at the screen. Her voice was high pitched with shock.
"That's so weird. It's surreal." She held the phone to her heart, and I had to remind her that the light had turned green, and she should start driving.

"What?" I urged. "What happened?"

She just pressed the gas pedal and stared at the road in a daze. "It's Zack," He was in a bad motorcycle accident I guess."

"What's bad, Bailey? Is he gonna die or something?" I felt a sudden burst of panic, and I knew it came through in my voice. Bailey handed me her phone, and I quickly pressed the home button and looked down at the screen.

Gretchen: "Didn't know if you'd heard, but Zack's been in an accident on his motorcycle. He's in
surgery right now. His mom said she'll keep us posted and let us know when he can have visitors."

I blinked as I read the whole thing a second time. The third time I read it was out loud to Bailey because she had to hear it again
too. I took out my phone and started texting Collin. I was a little sad that no one had made an effort to contact me with the news, but how could they know I'd be interested, right? I didn't have time to really care about why I hadn't been contacted, though. I was consumed with dread at the thought of Zack being hurt. The worry hung around my chest like a heavy weight. I had to find out what happened to him.

Me:
"Did Zack get in an accident?"

Collin: "Yeah, he's been in the hospital since like three last night. They're in the middle of surgery right now. I think it's his leg."

Me: "So, he's going to be okay?"

Collin: "From what I hear. They're running tests, but I think it's just his leg. I heard something about his face, but I think he's okay internally."

Me: "Where is he?"

Collin: "Sacred Heart."

I
filled Bailey in on what my brother had to say about Zack's accident, but by the time I found out what hospital he was checked in at, we were already at the parking garage where my car was parked.

"Poor Zack," she said
, stopping behind my car in the mostly empty garage. "I hope he's gonna be all right. I wonder if he'll be able to swim anymore."

"Of course he'll be able to swim," I said. I was instinctually prone to be positive, but truth was I was sc
ared and wondering the same thing. I hugged Bailey goodbye and climbed into my car. I gave her a thumbs up when my engine started, and she took off leaving me in a daze.

The news of Zack's accident rocked me to my
very core. I didn't do well with reminders of our lack of invincibility. I'd prefer not to think about things like motorcycle accidents and friends being injured. Just the act of putting my car in reverse and backing out of my spot was a surreal experience.

I
chose to go to my place instead of rushing to the hospital. I knew there wasn't anything I could do while he was in surgery, and honestly, I wasn't even sure if I was invited to the hospital since no one had bothered to tell me about the accident in the first place. I drove to my apartment in a haze of dread. It was probably something to do with the fact that I had a really long night, but when the door to my apartment closed, I fell onto my bed and began crying like a baby. I pictured Zack in every possible condition, and cried my eyes out taking gasps of air like an inconsolable child. It was a really dramatic scene, complete with a pillow that ended up soaking wet with my tears.

I'd only been up for a few hours, but I was tired, so I figured I'd try to get back on a regular sleep schedule. It was almost midnight and I was watching
a movie and eating Ben and Jerry's out of the pint when I got a text from my brother.

Collin: "Zack made it through surgery. I think he's out of the woods."

Me: "Thanks brother. Please remember to keep me posted when you hear something."

I almost asked if I was invited to go up to the hospital to see him,
but I really didn't care if I was invited or not. I was going regardless. I decided to give it a few hours since he just got out of surgery, but I, without a doubt, had plans to try to see Zack the next day. I fell asleep without even putting the ice cream back into the fridge. Most of it was gone anyway.

I woke up at 6AM on Sunday morning, unable to get Zack off of my mind.
I decided to get dressed and head up to the hospital in spite of it being the butt-crack of dawn. By the time I made up my mind to leave, washed my hair, and put makeup on my face, it was 7AM. That was within normal visiting hours, right? It took me thirty minutes to get to Sacred Heart hospital from my apartment. There was no traffic at 7 on a Sunday, but my gas light was on, and I had to stop and fill up on the way.

I walked into what I hoped was the main entrance at the Hospital and glanced around for someone who could tell me where I could find Zack. It was far from busy, but there was still more action than I expected there to be at seven in the morning. There was a lady at the desk marked Patient Check-in who smiled warmly at me. I walked toward her, hoping she could point me in the right direction. 

"I'm here to see a patient named Zack Larson."

She smiled again, "I can help you." She made like she was going to type in a name on her computer before she rethought it and looked at me. "Oh, I totally know what room he's in. I remember someone saying it earlier. He's the swimmer, right?"

"Yes ma'am."

"It's too bad what happened," she said solemnly.

"Is he okay?"
I asked, wide-eyed.

"I'm sorry, yes, he's good
as far as I know. Last I heard he was through with surgery and in recovery." She regarded me with a curious twinkle in her eye. "You wouldn't be his girlfriend, would you?"

"No. I mean, not that I
wouldn't, but no, we're not… he's been friends with my brother for years, since they were kids, practically. They're both swimmers."

"
Is your brother a swimmer too? We've had a few of them up here checking on Mr. Larson. I heard Collin Blake was here to see him earlier. I didn't get to see him, though."

"Collin's my brother."

"No way!"

"Yes way."

"Shut your face."

"I'm serious as a heart attack
." I looked around nervously, making sure I didn't see anyone grabbing their chest. "I guess I shouldn't say that in here."

The receptionist
laughed. "Naa, no worries. Oh, and your friend's in room 412. I think. Let me see for sure." She looked at her computer, keyed in a few letters on her keypad, and nodded. "Yeah, that's right. Room 412. Elevator's just down the hall there." She pointed over her shoulder at the only obvious choice for a hallway. I smiled and thanked her for the information.

As I rode up the elevator, it hit me that I didn't have anything to give him—nothing to offer at all.
What kind of person shows up to the hospital empty handed?
I wondered as I rode to the fourth floor. I was really close to turning around and visiting the hospital gift shop, but I just continued upstairs until the elevator door opened. I suddenly got really nervous, not knowing who was in his room or how I’d be received. I followed the signs to room 412 and stood outside the barely cracked door for a good, long while, deciding what to do next. Several times, I came close to walking off. Based on the silence, I was almost positive Zack and whoever else was in his room were sleeping. I must have looked like a total idiot standing outside his door. For at least five minutes, I debated on whether or not I should knock.

"Can I help you?"

The voice came from behind me, startling me. It was a really young, cute, lady doctor. At least I assumed she was a doctor since she had on a white lab coat.

"Oh me? No, I'm just here to see how
my friend's doing." I gestured to the door.

"He's doing great," she said. "I spoke to him about thirty minutes ago, and I was impressed with how
well he was doing after surgery. Is he expecting you?"

I shook my head.

The doctor looked at her watch.

"He and his mother were both awake when I went in
a few minutes ago. I could peek in if you like."

I
smiled and nodded nervously. I stayed back, while she went in to investigate. "Hey, Zack, you have a visitor," I heard her say from inside. She turned and walked past me smiling as if she'd done her part. A lady I recognized as Zack's mom took the Doctor's place in the doorway. She narrowed her eyes at me, curious as to who I was.

"Hello," she said. Her tone was cordial enough, but I could tell she was wondering what my story would be. I was a little surprised that she didn't recognize me even though I'd been at a ton of Zack's swim meets in the past.

I cleared my throat. "I'm Meredith Blake, Collin's sister. I was just coming by to check on Zack."

Her expression softened. "Of course, sweetheart.
I'm sorry. It's been a long night. How are you?"

I walked into her outstretched arms and gave her a hug. "How is he?" 

She sighed. "That boy. He's okay, thank God." She pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head in exhaustion or confusion or both. "It could have been so much worse." She paused. "Your brother was here last night. He stayed for several hours, but Zack was completely out of it. He just came around for the first time not long ago,"

"I'm sorry," I said. "Is it a bad time?"

"Not at all. Come in for a few minutes and say hi. It'll give me the chance to get a cup of coffee." She started to make her way past me in the doorway, and I just stood still, not knowing whether or not I was comfortable going into the room without Zack being warned.

"You sure?" I asked, pointing into the room.

"Yeah, he's up and talking right now. It'll serve as a distraction for him. I'll be back in a few minutes."

I
turned and walked into his room, once again cursing myself for being empty-handed.

"Who was it?" I heard a voice say.

I knew it was Zack, and all of a sudden I got really nervous at the prospect of rounding the corner and seeing him.

"Me." I said. I peeked my head around the corner super cautiously.
He was sitting up in his hospital bed with one of those complicated support systems bracing his left leg. His knee had pins sticking out of it, and my heart sank, thinking about how much pain he must be in. My gaze continued upward. My eyes met his, and took in that he was staring at me like he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.