Invisible Leash, page 18
part #1 of The Cross Series
I paced around my apartment, waiting for more news from Derrick and thinking of every possible scenario. Up until now, I’d been following Sage’s pace. Well, not anymore. Things would have to change after Sage woke up.
Please, let her be okay.
35
SAGE
“Jacob . . . Jacob . . .” I whispered softly. My eyelids felt heavy like a weight was pressing them down.
After a while, I opened my eyes slowly. My heart rose to my throat when I saw my father standing next to my bedside. What was going on?
“Oh, Sage, thank God! You’re up, you’ve been sleeping all night!” my mother said from where she sat perched at the foot of the bed.
I looked around at my surroundings. Machines everywhere. Empty white walls. Blue hospital curtains.
“Do you remember what happened?” Father asked.
I nodded. “Car accident?”
Then it all came back to me. The approaching headlights. The crunching of metal. The excruciating pain. And then nothing.
“Honey, you look so pale,” my mom fussed, grabbing my hand carefully as to not disturb the IV that was poking out of my wrist. “How are you feeling? Are you in pain?”
“I’m okay,” I lied. I tried to sit up, but pain overtook me. I winced and gave up, lying back down again.
“Lincoln is worried about you,” my mom said. “He just left a minute ago to check on his driver.”
“Johnny?” I asked, my voice still groggy. “Is he okay?”
“He’s fine,” my mom quickly assured me. “Just mild injuries. Nothing like the ones . . .” she trailed off, and silence filled the sterile room.
“Like the ones I have?” I asked, swallowing hard. My throat was incredibly sore. I wondered if they’d put one of those incubator tubes down it.
“You’re going to be fine, Sage,” Father said, his voice rigid.
Is he trying to convince me? Or himself?
“It’s a miracle you survived,” my mother said, her eyes misty. “You had a piece of metal inside your stomach, but it didn’t do too much damage. It missed all your vital organs by millimeters. The doctor even said your internal bleeding has stopped on its own.”
My hand went to my stomach. I had no feeling in my abdomen whatsoever.
Those must be some pain meds.
“Is Sierra here? And Caleb?” I asked, suddenly desperate to see my younger siblings.
“Yes, we went to pick them up from school, they’re out in the waiting room, and Corey’s on his way. Do you want to see them?”
I nodded, and my mother left the room to fetch them. While she was gone, Father and I enveloped ourselves in an uneasy silence. I could just guess what he was thinking: Oh no, what if the future President of the United States doesn’t want damaged goods for a wife? I slammed my eyes shut, trying to block out the thought. Recovery was going to be a bitch, but I’d get through it at record pace—for my own sake.
Sierra ran into the room and hugged me tight enough to suffocate me. When she released me, I caught a glimpse of Caleb marching inside the room, sporting a black binnie on. Concern overtook his facial features as he made his way to the other side of the bed across from my sister.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said intently, as he swallowed. I nodded, tears threatening to mist my eyes. He pulled me in for a hug, and I couldn’t help the feeling of content and affection that I felt at my brother’s gesture.
What would I do without these two?
“How much does it hurt?” Sierra asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Well, it hurts a little when I move,” I said, trying to keep it light. “Other than that, I’m fine.”
“It must have been terrible,” my sister said somberly. She wouldn’t let go of my hand.
“Well, I’m alright now,” I assured her.
“When can she leave?” Sierra asked my mother.
“Two weeks, the doctors said. Maybe less, if she recovers faster.”
“Hopefully she will,” Father said, his tone leaving no room for dispute. I’d have fought him tooth and nail for this in the past. Today, his opinion mattered less and less.
Caleb proceeded to spend the rest of our time together showing me funny videos on his phone while Sierra gave me a Bible summary of the most recent science fiction book that she’d read.
Just then, a nurse came into the room. “Well, looky here! It’s nice to see you up,” she said, a little bit too perkily. “I’m Rose. I’m here to check you over and give you some more medication.” She turned to my parents. “I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you all to wait outside.”
My mother was the last to leave the room. “Sweetheart, who’s Jacob?” she whispered into my ear once my father was out of earshot.
Did I say his name out loud? Did he hear?
“Um, I think it was one of the paramedics who pulled me out of the car,” I improvised.
“Oh, I see,” she said, a little unconvincingly. “That’s what I thought.”
Shit.
After all the precautions I’d taken, had I gone and blown my cover? I didn’t have any time to dwell on it though.
Just moments after my mother was out the door, I could feel the drugs filling my body, making me woozy. And then I was back in my happy place—the one where Jacob and I could be together, no questions asked.
“You have to brighten up the room, Lincoln. You know, to attract positive vibes. When you get back from your meeting can you go and find some more vases?”
Still half asleep, I was hearing the familiar voice, as if from afar. I tried to pull myself back into my dream world, but it was too late. I moved my body slightly and was overcome by pain shooting through my torso.
I stirred and opened my eyes to find Amelia sitting on the hospital room’s small vinyl couch with a magazine in hand.
“That’s it. Wake up, sleepy head,” she said softly, a big smile on her face.
I couldn’t help but feel better when I saw the dozens of bouquets that filled my hospital room. There were lilies everywhere: white, orange, yellow, and three different shades of pink. Without having to be told, I knew they were all from her.
“What would I do without you?”
She shrugged. “How you feeling?” she asked, coming over to sit on the bed. She was wearing a mustard colored sweater dress with black stockings and black ankle boots.
“I’m good,” I said, for what seemed like the tenth time today. “Better, now that you’re here, though. God, it’s boring.”
We both laughed for no apparent reason. When we stopped, Amelia looked at me curiously.
“What?” I said.
“Sage . . . you’re so different these days. You’re my best friend, and I’m not a fool. What’s going on?”
“Chalk it up to the drugs this time,” I joked.
Disbelief crossed her pretty facial features, but before she could pry any further, there was a knock at the door and Derrick and Ellie appeared. I held my breath—would they spill the beans about Jacob?
“Come on in, you two,” Amelia said brightly. “She’s finally up!”
Leave it to Amelia to have already made their acquaintance. She was like that, whether it be in the airport luggage queue or a hospital waiting room. But it felt nice to know that, when all was said and done, they would all get along together. I could picture us three women together, drinking and eating and talking shit about our partners.
“I brought you some food,” Ellie said, placing a tray of mixed cheeses and nuts on the small table beside my hospital bed.
I smiled, remembering the time she’d brought me a casserole when I was sick, back when I’d barely even known her. “Thanks,” I said. “You didn’t have to.”
“Yes, I did. Food heals, except for hospital food,” she teased.
As Ellie began gushing over the lilies and asking Amelia who the florist was, I fixed my gaze on Derrick and prayed for a signal that I’d see Jacob soon.
“Have you checked your text messages lately?” he asked rather pointedly.
Brightening, I shook my head. “Girls,” I said, interrupting Ellie and Amelia’s chatter. “Do either of you see my purse?”
Amelia pulled my Michael Kors clutch out of the drawer of the bedside table.
“Thanks,” I said, looking first at Amelia and then winking at Derrick.
Derrick nodded while I unlocked my phone. Immediately, I was bombarded with a series of texts from Jacob.
Are you OK??? You scared the hell out of me!
I’ll find a way to come see you, I promise.
Don’t worry, no one will know.
Tell me you’re OK.
I miss you.
The messages went on and on. The latest one, sent only two minutes ago, made me smile.
I love you xx.
“Geeze, what’s happened to the Sage I know?” Amelia said. “I swear I’ve never seen you smile like that before, and you’ve just survived a traumatic car accident!”
Ellie smiled knowingly, clearly happy that she had the inside scoop on my love life.
I no longer wanted to put her off. She was my best friend, and she’d proven that time and time again. I could trust her, and I wanted to share this with her.
Thirty minutes later, after much chatting, Derrick and Ellie left with the promise to return soon. I was touched—they had become such good friends in a matter of months.
Once we were alone, I gestured for Amelia to sit next to me on the bed. “Remember when you said I seemed happier lately?”
“Duh,” she said, waiting for me to elaborate.
“I’m seeing someone.”
Her eyes went wide, and she leaned in even closer.
“Someone besides Lincoln?” she questioned, urging me to spill my guts.
I nodded. “I didn’t want to say anything until I knew it was serious,” I said, hoping she’d accept my explanation without too many questions.
“Frankly I’m a little hurt that you didn’t tell me, Sage. I’m your best friend.” She sighed. “And you love this guy?”
I grinned.
God, yes, I love him.
And just like that our friendship was restored.
“Oh my God,” she squealed, hugging me. Then her voice dropped back down to a whisper. “I can’t believe this day has finally arrived. Eeeee, I’m so happy for you!”
I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped my lips at her excitement.
“I’m pretty happy for me, too.”
Not to mention scared.
“So, now you just need to find your dream job, and you can live happily ever after,” she said.
Right. As if it was that simple.
Amelia must have seen the thought cross my face. “Don’t worry, I can help you,” she assured me. “Whatever you need. Seriously.” She pursed her lips. “I’m assuming Lincoln doesn’t know about this guy, obviously.”
“No, not at all,” I said. “But he knows I’m leaving him after the election.”
Amelia’s eyebrows shot up. “You’ve got it all figured out, don’t you?”
“Sort of. But my father can’t find out yet, okay?”
She reached out and wrapped her pinkie finger around mine. “Pinky swear,” she promised.
I smiled. That was something we hadn’t done since we were teenagers.
“So, do you have a picture of your new prince?” she asked.
“Yeah, hold on.” I scrolled through my phone and found the picture I’d taken of Jacob one night at my apartment when he had no clue I was watching him.
“Damn Sage,” she murmured, breathless.
“I know.”
I went on to tell her all the little details I’d been desperate to share with her for the past few months while she encouraged me to let him know how I really felt about him.
“Life’s too short, Sage,” she said. “I mean, you could have died in that car accident. Don’t waste another minute, okay?”
We talked about Jacob for the next half hour, which felt amazing. Even though my body was in pain, I could Already feel my spirits lifting again. I felt ready to start a new chapter of my life.
When I awoke, Lincoln was sitting on my bed.
“Hey,” he said softly, smiling down at me with his brown eyes.
“Hey.” I tried to sit upright and managed to succeed, with less difficulty this time.
“I thought you might be thirsty,” he said, offering me a cup of cold water.
I was. I downed the entire glass in one big gulp. “Thanks.” I looked over at him closely, meeting his eyes. He was a good man; there was no denying it. “Thanks for staying with me in the ambulance, Lincoln.”
“You remember that?”
I nodded.
“Well, you’re welcome.”
“Is your speech ready for the rally tonight?” I asked, recalling the event that Amber had booked weeks ago.
Lincoln looked surprised by my question. “You think I’d leave you here alone?” he said, confused.
I squeezed his hand. “Go on. Derrick and his wife Ellie said they’d come and keep me company. Besides, I’ll be in here for two weeks, more or less, and your campaign can’t wait. You have to win, Lincoln. We’ve worked too hard to give up now.”
He picked up my hand and placed a chaste kiss on it. “You’re too good to be true, Sage Cross,” he said with an undeniable note of sadness in his voice. Or was it regret?
He kept me company for a few more hours until it was time for him to go home and get changed into his tuxedo, though, truth be told, he looked pretty good in the casual jeans and sweater combo he was wearing then. When he left, the nurse drugged me up again, which knocked me out cold for a few more hours.
When I woke up to the nurse telling me that my parents had visited while I was asleep, a breath of relief escaped me. There was only so much time with Father I could stomach in a day.
I was thirsty and drank two more glasses of water that the nurse brought me. When asked if I needed some more pain medication, I declined. I was feeling well rested and in no need of going back to sleep anytime soon. I snuck a glance in the hand mirror that was tucked in my clutch. I was glad to see that the swelling had come down.
A knock on the door startled me as I quickly put the mirror away before Ellie appeared, followed by a man with a hoodie pulled over his face, completely hiding his appearance. I knew it was him without having to see his face.
Jacob.
My heart absolutely soared. I couldn’t wait to throw my arms around his neck and have him pull me close. Out of all the visitors I’d had, he was the one I was truly craving.
“Make it quick, you two,” Ellie teased as she walked out of the room and pulled the door closed behind her.
“Sage,” he said softly, lowering his hood so that I could see his beautiful face again. His intense blue eyes were fixed on mine, and a flurry emotion coursed through them. “I was so worried.” He sat down on the bed next to me and ran his thumb over my cheek—the one that was slightly less damaged. “You’re too beautiful.”
“How can you say that when I look like this?”
“Because you always look beautiful to me,” he replied, and from the look in his eyes, I could tell he spoke what he thought was the truth. “When I thought I lost you,” he chuckled shaking his head, a reflection of pain crossing his features. “I’d just found you, and then—”
I put an index finger over his lips, shaking my head. We didn’t need to go into all the possible what ifs. I was fine. “You still love me?” I whispered. I needed to hear him say it.
“Yes baby, I do.” Then he leaned over and placed a soft kiss on my lips. It was the sweetest kiss we’d ever shared; clearly, he was afraid of hurting me.
I cupped his face with my hands and pulled him closer, opening my mouth to him, demonstrating that I wanted more. That I wasn’t going to break.
“Hmmm,” he rumbled, the noise vibrating in my mouth. He pulled away. “I missed you,” he said, pressing feather-like kisses gently on my nose, my forehead, my mouth.
I brought my hands to his face and gazed deep into his eyes. “I love you, Jacob,” I murmured. “I love you so much it hurts.”
My revelation made him swallow hard, and his eyes searched mine. “How long have you known that for?” he smiled, bringing his thumb to my mouth and tracing my bottom lip softly, playing with it.
“For a while,” I replied shyly.
He shook his head slowly, a grin across his face. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Whatever you desire,” I whispered seductively, my body longing for him. God, how I wished I wasn’t going to be stuck in the hospital for another whole week, if not longer.
I sighed.
“Yeah, well, I’ll hold you to that until you feel better.”
The moment was interrupted when Ellie rushed in. “Jacob, you have to go. The nurse is coming.”
He looked at me, pleading with his eyes. “Sage, tell me you don’t care. Tell me I can stay. Baby, please.”
“Jacob, you can’t,” I told him hoarsely. “I promise you this will all be over in less than a month. Just go, before anyone sees you.”
Fury blazed through his deep blue-sea eyes. I thought he was going to argue, but, instead, he brought his hoodie back over his head, making him look even more rebellious. He kissed me once more, on the forehead, and then left the room, looking so dejected it hurt me. I felt terrible all over again for what I was putting him through.
A tear fell down my face, and I wiped it away. It was the first tear I’d shed since my youth, but I barely even noticed it. I was too busy focusing on how to convert the happy place of my dreams into a living reality.
The next day, my older brother, Corey, came to visit me alone. Instead of flowers or magazines, he brought me one of my favorite snacks: a Greek yogurt with granola and fresh berries on top. I devoured it in a matter of minutes.
“Thanks.” I said to him as I placed the empty container on the tray beside my hospital bed. “You wouldn’t believe how crappy the food is here.”
“Well, Mom says you’re doing better. Hopefully you won’t be in here much longer,” he said, trying to get comfortable on the tiny vinyl hospital couch.
