ready for our parents to be gone.
My mother spoke up. “I’m going to get something to eat, get a shower, and I’ll be back to spend the night.”
“It’s okay, Mom, come back tomorrow,” said Clara. “I’ll stay tonight. Me and Avery have a lot to talk about.”
Mom hesitated. “Okay. I guess that’s fine. I do need the rest.”
“And the shower,” said my father, who was still waiting to say his goodbyes.
Mom gave him a pointed look, but he gave her a teasing grin. Sometimes, he still liked to tease as if they were still getting along. I wasn’t sure if it was his way of trying, but my mother had given up on them being friends ages ago.
“Come on. You used to have such a good sense of humor.” He shook his head and let out a sigh.
“Being married to you will do that to a person,” she said, getting in her jab. The two kissed my forehead and said their goodbyes, and thankfully, they left.
Clara got up to close the door. “I hope you don’t mind me sending them away.”
“Something tells me you have been putting up with a lot the past week while I’ve been sleeping.”
“Yeah, you can say that. But let’s not worry about our parents. You need to relax and get better so we can get the hell out of here.”
“Yeah, I think between the two of us, we’re keeping this hospital on their toes.”
“At least I broke them in.” She giggled, and it faded into a sigh. “I’ve been so worried you weren’t going to wake up.”
“Well, at least now you know what it feels like to worry about your sister. Payback is a bitch. Isn’t that the phrase?”
“Yeah, it’s a bitch, all right. And speaking of bitches, I owe you an apology.”
“Why?” She had done so much for me.
“Because I wasn’t good to you about Seth. I should have given him the benefit of the doubt, knowing how much you cared about him. I should have trusted your judgment.”
“Most of the rumors were not true. Seth admitted that he was wrong to cheat, but that was the only truth in any of them. They were all just blown out of proportion. And he let a few of them continue for Layla’s sake, even if they made him look bad.”
“I can believe it. I mean, I still don’t want anyone to break your heart, but I’ll give Seth a chance. He’s really earned it and proved to me that he cares. I know the look on his face, that fear in his eyes. It was the same as Dillon’s when I was in the hospital.”
“I need to tell him I’m awake.”
“Let’s send him and Dillon both a text.” She took out her phone and began typing out a message.
“Where’s my phone?” The last time I had seen it was in the car when I had just called her.
“It was smashed in the accident, but don’t worry. Dad got you a new phone too. Seth called Omega House and asked for Dillon’s number. He told Micah what happened. A lot of people have been coming by to see you, and well, it’s pretty common knowledge that you and Seth are a thing.”
I chuckled. “That’s all I have been wanting, and I ended up sleeping through the whole thing. I thought we’d make some grand entrance at a party or something but not like this.”
“Yeah, well, everyone has been worried about you guys. The wreck was all over the news.”
“What happened with that? I can’t remember.”
“The guy who hit you wasn’t paying attention obviously. But he died on impact. It was his fault. He ran the light and hit you. You were both so lucky, Avery.”
I felt my face and found a couple of bandages but nothing too big. “What is this?” There was also a bandage on my arm and one on my thigh.
“Just some cuts and abrasions. You needed stitches on a few, but they were surprised it wasn’t so bad. They said you must have had time to look away. Or maybe the airbag stopped it. Seth said it’s because you were so tough. He’s been going on and on about how strong you are.”
“Did you tell him?” I wanted to send a message of my own and hoped he could be where I could call him. I needed to hear his voice.
She got a message back, and when she read it, she shook her head. “That was Dillon. He said he’s glad to