Love Resolution - By Michelle Mankin Page 0,43

for a long time. “She could have died, Dwight, and I would have been responsible.” He was sure his expression revealed the turmoil he felt inside. “I totally fucked up. Nothing I say or do can make it right. And I’m not going to go over to the hospital and make this an even bigger ordeal for her than it already is.”

“I don’t get it.” Dwight scratched his head in obvious consternation. He pulled out his cell. “You’ve got to call her at least.”

“No.” Marcus covered up his brother’s hand. “I don’t.”

Dwight studied his face. “She’ll forgive you, you know.”

Marcus wished she wouldn’t. He didn’t deserve it.

Avery woke, ears ringing, forehead throbbing as if someone was whacking a hammer repeatedly against her skull. Opening her eyes had been like lifting a weighted garage door manually without the assistance of the pulley mechanism.

She was in a hospital room, the heart monitor beeping beside her. The first person she saw was Ray, standing alone in the corner, staring down at his phone. He must have noticed her moving because his eyes shifted in her direction.

“You’re awake.” He smiled softly and came closer, stopping on the left side of her bed. He glanced at someone on the other side.

Carefully, she turned her head and saw familiar chestnut curls and grey eyes.

“How are you feeling?” Sam asked softly, squeezing her hand.

“Like my head just got split open,” Avery admitted truthfully. “What happened?”

“You were in a car accident.” Sam’s eyes narrowed. “You have a concussion, and a pretty nasty cut on your forehead.”

Avery winced, reaching up in exploration.

“You don’t have to go back to the doctor to get the stitches out. They’re the invisible under the skin kind that dissolve on their own,” Sam reassured her. “They also told us they think the scar will fade in time.”

“Where’s Marcus?” She remembered seeing the other car, but not the impact. Her throat tightened with trepidation. “Is he ok?”

Sam and Ray were quiet. She watched them exchange a glance.

It was Sam who answered. “He’s alright, Avery, but he was arrested at the scene. He’s been charged with driving while intoxicated.”

“He’s in jail?” Avery’s mouth dropped open.

“Yeah. Dwight left here a couple hours ago to bail him out.”

Avery stared at Sam in stunned silence.

“It’s been a long night,” Sam continued empathetically. “I’m so glad you’re ok. That it wasn’t worse.” She leaned over and kissed the top of Avery’s head. “I’ll tell the nurse you’re awake and see if you can have some pain medicine.”

As soon as the door clicked closed, Avery turned her head toward Ray. “I’m sorry. I should have listened to you,” she whispered. “But Marcus was so mad and I was afraid… ” She trailed off, tears pricking her eyes as she remembered their conversation. “It doesn’t really matter.” She stared at her hands, and panic suddenly seized her limbs. Where was it? She couldn’t remember taking it off.

“Looking for this?” Ray asked, holding up her engagement ring.

“Yes.” She gulped in a welcome breath.

“They took it off in the ER.” He patted his blazer pocket. “I’ve got your necklace in here, too. If there was anything else, I don’t have it.”

“A bracelet, but it’s just costume jewelry.” She took the ring from him. “This is the only important thing.” She slid it on. “How long was I out?”

“You’ve been in and out for the past six hours. The nurses have been doing neurological checks all night because of the concussion.”

“My head really hurts.” She looked him in the eye. “Why isn’t Marcus here?”

“I don’t know.” Ray’s expression was troubled.

“Can I borrow your phone?”

“I already tried to call him.”

“Please.” She reached out her hand. “Let me try.”

Sighing, he handed it to her. She quickly scrolled to Marcus’ number. The call went directly to voicemail. She bit down hard on her lip, but it didn’t stop the tears. She sucked in a couple of uneven breaths and tried Dwight’s number. Same thing. She dropped the phone on the bed. Eventually, she looked up at Ray.

He shook his head.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered.

“Don’t give up on him Avery. He takes things harder than most.” Ray took a step forward and she grabbed onto his arm, holding on tightly with both of hers. For a long moment neither said a word.

“Why don’t you try his parents?” Ray suggested, gently withdrawing his arm.

Sam returned with the nurse. She checked Avery’s vital signs, and then asked, “How much is your pain now on a scale of one to ten?”

“About a