Mason (Trinity Academy 2)

Then her eyes flutter, and when she finally opens them, it feels like the sun is breaking through the long dark night that’s been my life for the past three days.

I reach down for her hand and holding it, I ask, “Can you hear me? Just squeeze.”

Her fingers stir weakly, but it’s enough to make relief chase the dread away, making me feel dizzy.

Her eyes drift closed, and I bring her fingers to my mouth, pressing a kiss against them.

Thank you.

Fuck. Thank you for not dying.

The door opens, and Falcon comes in with Layla right behind him

“Did something happen?” he asks because I’m still sitting on the bed.

A thankful smile tugs at my lips. “She opened her eyes. She indicated that she could hear me.”

“She did!” Layla darts past Falcon and grabs Kingsley’s other hand. “She woke up?” she asks me, a hopeful look on her face.

I nod, and moving back to the chair, I rest my forehead against the bed. “She woke up.”

Placing Kingsley’s hand back down, Layla says, “I’ll go get a nurse.”

I didn’t even think to do that.

Minutes later, Layla returns with a nurse, who checks Kingsley’s vital signs.

“We’ll check with the doctor to see if the tubes can come out,” the nurse mentions. When she sees my worried eyes on her, she adds, “It’s a good sign that she woke up, but it’s still early days. All you can do now is wait and let her heal.”

I know she’s right, but it doesn’t make the waiting any easier.KingsleyFor the longest time, it feels as if I swallowed so much water, it drowned my brain. Everything is blurry.

I’m aware of people coming and going, but it seems like forever passes before I can finally open my eyes.

When my eyes focus on Dad’s face, he smiles gently at me.

“Hey, Tiger,” he whispers while getting up from the chair. His hold on my hand tightens and leaning over me, he presses a kiss to my forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“B-b…” My throat hurts, and my voice sounds raspy. I begin to cough, and Dad quickly moves back. He pats my shoulder until the bout of coughing dies down, and then only am I able to whisper, “Better.”

A nauseous feeling pushes up my throat, and I swallow a couple of times before I ask, “How long was I out?”

“Almost four days.” My dad looks like he’s aged a hundred years.

“I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head and forces a smile to his face. “Nothing to be sorry for, Tiger.” His eyes brush over my face, then he asks, “What happened? How did you fall in the pool?”

Before I can answer, the door opens, and Mason walks in, with Layla right behind him.

Mason freezes when he sees I’m awake, while Layla darts forward. When she gently hugs me, Dad moves a little back to give her space.

“I was so worried,” she says, her voice thick with tears. Slightly pulling away, she asks, “Do you feel okay?”

I nod and try to keep the weak smile on my face when Layla’s face crumbles. She brings her hand up to cover her mouth.

“Come here,” I whisper. When she hugs me again, I try to pat her side, but I’m so weak, I’m not sure she feels it. “It’s okay. I’m fine.”

She shakes her head and keeps hugging me for a while before she pulls back. Moving away from the bed, she gestures to Mason. “Come.”

He shakes his head, staying close to the door.

“I have to go to the office quickly,” Dad says. “It won’t take long. I’ll stop by the house to get a couple of things for you. Is there anything specific you want?”

I shake my head. “No, just you…” I have to pause to catch my breath before I can continue, “to come back quickly.”

Leaning over me, he presses another kiss to my forehead. “I’ll be as quick as a flash. I love you, Tiger.”

“Love you, Dad.”

Dad stops by the door and looking at Layla, then Mason, he says, “Thank you for watching over my girl.”

Layla smiles at Dad, where Mason just nods.

I watch Dad leave, then turn my head back to Layla, when she says, “I’m going to call Falcon and Lake. They’ll be happy to hear you’re awake.”

I nod, and when she leaves, I look at Mason, who is still standing in the same spot by the door.

Our eyes lock, and a couple of seconds pass before he moves toward me. He stops near my feet and places a hand on my shin. It looks like he’s hesitating, which I’m totally not used to seeing.

Then he squares his shoulders and rushing forward, he grabs hold of my shoulders and lifts me to his chest, his arms wrapping around me.

“Oomph!” I’m surprised by his behavior and how tightly he’s holding me.

Then he turns his face into my neck as he sits down on the side of the bed so he can hold me better. I lift my right hand to his back and brush it lightly over his sweater.