Now that I thought about it, that made a lot of sense. I could convalesce, or whatever you called it, at my parents’ house. They’d help me out—or more likely, pay to have someone help me out. Somehow, it wasn’t a pleasant thought.
Then there were Mason and Kylie. They’d be willing to help, but they had classes. Plus, their relationship was new. They didn’t need a third wheel hanging around.
Oh wait, I’d forgotten about Parker and Jude. I guess that would make me a fifth wheel. But I remembered the mad rush of keeping up with my classes last semester, and I couldn’t do that to them.
Besides … moving here was my fresh start. Finally, I was done being a student. Finally, I was a real adult making my own choices. Starting my career. Meeting new people.
This was my chance, and I wasn’t pleased about the possibility of moving back home. “I’d like to stay in town if I can, but I can’t ask you to—”
Spencer held his hand up and for the first time, he sat on the edge of my bed. His thigh was warm against my good leg, even through the blankets. “First off, you didn’t ask. Secondly, you sure as hell can ask. You can ask me for anything, Alyssa, and if I can give it to you, it’s yours.”
Wow. That had me blinking back tears. Not for his offer, though it was very kind, but because of the love I heard in his voice. Love for his son whom he’d nearly lost.
When he spoke again, his voice was strong. “So that’s settled. Unless you want to charge me with kidnapping, I’m taking you back to our place when they spring you here.
“Now, just one more thing before I let you get some more rest. Your company provided a lot of information when we spoke, but apparently, they hadn’t yet had you fill out your emergency contact form. Is there someone you’d like to call?”
God, I hadn’t even thought about my phone. Had Mason or Kylie texted last night? Or had one of my new coworkers?
Spencer opened the little drawer under the rolling bedside tray and produced my phone.
“Thanks.” I thought for a minute. Probably I should call my parents, but instead, I pulled up Mason’s number. Then, even though my hair was kind of a nightmare, I chose the video option. My half-brother had gone from being largely absent to being overprotective these past few months, and I figured he’d need to see me to make sure I was all right.
Even though our relationship was so much stronger than it had been, it was a bit of a relief when Kylie answered. She loved me as a friend, but was less likely than Mason to overreact. Still, I heard the phrase “I can be on the next flight out” more than once, especially when Mason joined her.
It was tiring assuring them that I was okay. It was tiring just being awake. This was the longest I’d been awake since the accident. I tried to keep up my end of the conversation, but truthfully, I just wanted to close my eyes and sleep.
Spencer seemed to sense this, and I didn’t object when he took the phone from me. Drowsiness overwhelmed me, and I lowered the head of the bed. After the movement stopped, I heard Spencer say, “Lyss is the most amazing woman in the world, and I’m going to take good care of her.”
Those words, plus the warmth of his leg against mine, were comforting enough to set my mind temporarily at ease and allow me to get some rest.
3
Alyssa
The rest of the afternoon, at least the parts of it I was awake for, flew by. I finally met the doctor, who gave me more information about my injuries and my recovery time.
I ate what I could of a meal, and I felt better once one of the hospital workers helped me get a little more presentable. She brought me a basin of water to wash up with and found a comb for me. It took her and another person to help me to the bathroom, though. That was an embarrassing and painful experience, plus it really brought home the fact that I’d be needing a lot of assistance for a long time.
The thought of returning to Colorado did cross my mind, but again, I rejected it. I’d been waiting for this moment, my first real job and my first taste of independence, since I was five. Finally, I was away from my parents’ influence. They hadn’t wanted their little girl to move across country—or to become an engineer in the first place.
This accident wasn’t my fault, but still, it felt like if I returned home now, it would be a defeat.
I insisted that Spencer go home around dinnertime. He had his family to attend to. After a brief argument, he gave in. He leaned over and gave me a gentle hug and assured me that he’d be back tomorrow.