Bared Souls - Ellie Wade Page 0,88
from his mouth with each word.
“Stop it! Stop this right now,” Cat begs, tugging harder.
Amos steps back, and I glare at him.
“I wasn’t on anything.” My words are cold.
“Yeah, right,” he scoffs.
“I wasn’t. You want me to call in the nurse and have her read you my toxicology report? I’ve been clean since January. I wouldn’t fucking drive her if I were messed up. Whether you believe it or not, I love her.” There isn’t a strong bite in my tone, as there should be, because though I wasn’t on anything, I’m still to blame, and I know it. I’m not going to reveal that fact to him, but I know it all the same.
Amos shakes Cat’s hands away from him. “You almost killed her,” he repeats, his voice quiet, tears lodged in his throat.
“I know, and I’m sorry,” I confess. “Have you seen her?”
“No. Not yet.”
“Well, please let me know when she’s awake,” I request, hopeful that he actually will.
He’s visibly less tense. His rigid body of a few moments ago has relaxed, and he looks tired. He probably hasn’t slept all night.
“Yeah, okay. And I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have grabbed you like that,” he says with sincerity. “I’ve been up all night. I’m exhausted and worried about Alma, and I just assumed the worst. I shouldn’t have.”
“It’s fine, Amos. I would’ve assumed too. Just forget about it.”
Amos examines my injuries, his tired brown eyes giving me a quick once-over. “How are you?”
“I’ve been better. I feel like shit.”
“Well, you look like shit too.” The smallest of grins forms on his face.
“Thanks, man.”
He motions toward the door. “I’m going to go back to the waiting area. The nurses know to look for me there when she wakes up. I’ll see you later.”
“Let me know when she’s up,” I say again as he walks toward the door.
He gives me a thumbs-up on his way out.
A soft voice calls my name, and I stir, groaning as my body wakes.
When I open my eyes, Cat’s leaning in, her face inches from mine. “How are you feeling?” she asks.
I give her a grunt in response.
“Well, Alma’s awake. I talked to the nurse, and they can attach your IV bags to a wheelchair pole if you want to go see her.”
At the mention of Alma’s name, I’m immediately better. “Yes.” I sit up in bed.
“All right. Give me a second to get the nurse, and I’ll be right back.” She exits the room.
She’s still wearing the outfit she showed up in last night. It doesn’t look remotely comfortable, and I wonder if she’s slept at all. She’s way too nice of a person to be with my brother.
A minute later, Cat returns with a nurse and a wheelchair. The nurse is different. The no-nonsense, professional woman from last night has probably gone home for the day. This lady looks like she should be retired and at home, baking cookies for her grandkids. Her smile is warm and puts me at ease.
“Okay, dear. Let me get you situated here.” She removes the IV pump that has fluids running and attaches the pump to the pole on the back of the wheelchair. Then, she guides my legs over the bed and helps me pivot onto the chair.
We leave the room, and she pushes me to the elevator. We take it up a few floors. Exiting the elevator, she leads me down a long hallway. Cat’s heels click behind us.
Parking me in front of Alma’s room, she says, “I’ll be back in a bit to get you. If you need me to get you sooner, just ring down to the third floor and ask for Doris.”
I thank her, and she scurries off.
Cat pushes me into Alma’s room and stops the wheelchair next to her bed. Alma’s eyes are closed. She’s connected to IVs, like me, and I’m sure she has bandages around her middle, where they patched her up. Yet she looks peaceful and beautiful.
“Amos mentioned going to the cafeteria for some coffee. I think I’ll meet him there. I’ll be back soon.” Cat lightly pats my shoulder and retreats from the room.
Alma seems to hear Cat’s clicking as she walks out and opens her eyes. When she sees me, she smiles and starts to cry, holding out her hand for me to grab. I raise my good arm and take her hand in mine.
“Are you okay?” She sniffles.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” I say, bringing her hand to my lips. I kiss her skin, below the IV.
“Me