never doubted that they would like her. I knew they would see exactly what I saw.
It made me feel so happy and excited to know that she was here. The three people I love most in the world in one place.
Granted not a place I wanted to be.
The talking seems to get quiet. I don’t know how, but I sense a presence and I know it’s her. I feel her take my hand.
What I wouldn’t give to be able to move, open my eyes and hold her. Tell her I’m okay and I’m here….
She’s so close. I feel her so very close. She’s in my skin and branded on me. A part of me. My hand she is holding, it’s trying desperately to squeeze hers.
All of a sudden I can smell her.
I feel her whisper in my ear. I can hear her, holy hell I can hear her. I want to scream so damn bad that I can hear her. Give her some clue that I know she’s there, but my stupid ass body isn’t budging.
However, the most magnificent words to ever have graced her mouth have been whispered in my ear.
“I love you, ‘my’ Maverick.”
God, how I love her, and wish I could tell her how very much. Then I feel warm breath, as she kisses me softly on the lips.
I need to wake up. I have to wake up, but I am so tired and feel myself starting to fall. I can’t hold on any more.
I’m falling and the very last thing on my mind is Charlie. ‘My’ Charlie.
Chapter 29-Charlie
I wake up forgetting where I am, until it all comes crashing back like a horrible dream.
Maverick hurt, car accident, surgery and no more football. A feeling of dread quickly falls upon me.
I look over at the chair where my mother is still fast asleep, snoring quietly.
I need to get out of here and head over to his room, check on him, just to see him. Something to help quench this ache of foreboding, that has settled in the pit of my stomach.
Just seeing him prior to his surgery will help. I know it will.
I don’t bother to wake my mom, knowing full well she would know where I was off to, if she woke and saw me gone.
I make the long treacherous walk to his room. As I enter the room, I smile at Maverick's parents who are standing and speaking to someone who I assume must be his doctor.
As soon as I reach his mom, she instantly wraps her arms around me hugging me close to her. It is a strange sensation, feeling cared for. It’s foreign to me. However this is just Carol. They’ve accepted me, in such a short amount of time as a part of their family.
I take the chance to look over at Maverick, who’s still sleeping and then turn my attention to what the doctor is saying.
“Surgery will start at eight, and the surgery time can run anywhere from three to five hours. It will all depend on what we see when we go in. We will take him in around twenty minutes to prep him.”
I let out the breath I don’t realize I’m holding. I’m nervous and scared for him, for his parents and for me. His mom must feel the same thing because she tightens her arms around my shoulders holding me securely against her, as if sensing that I need the comfort as much as she does.
I must have tuned out everything else they are saying, because the next thing I knew, the doctor was leaving out the door.
I didn’t doubt for a second that Maverick would be okay. However, surgery in general is a very scary thing.
Carol looks at me with nothing but kindness in her eyes and is the first one to speak. “Charlie, honey he will be in surgery for a while. I want you to go home, get some sleep, take a shower and come back as soon as you can.”
Before I can even start to argue she’s already speaking over me. “Charlie, he needs you to be well rested and you will feel better clean. I am not taking no for an answer.”
I heave a heavy sigh and drop my head in acceptance. “Fine, but I’m coming right back. I slept last night but you're right, I could definitely eat and use a shower. Then I’ll be right back.”
“I know you will and there is nothing I would like more.” Carol reaches over and