Everleigh was sleeping, Blaze was passed out beside me, and I was wide awake. I couldn’t stop thinking about what I said to Jared. I was horrible to him, and I couldn’t help but regret what I said. Jared was good, he was there for me when I needed him, he was there for Everleigh always.
Sighing I pulled back the covers and sat up. It was late but I had to fix this. He had to know that I was sorry. Pulling one of Blazes jumpers over my head I slipped my feet into my slippers. I was hoping to go into the bar, and he’d be sitting there nursing some liquor.
But tonight, I was out of luck. The place was in darkness. Pouring myself some water I jumped when the lights came on.
“Ava”…
“I can’t sleep Blaze”.
“You worried about him?” He asked walking towards me.
“I shouldn’t have said what I said. I was horrible and he’ll probably hate me now”. I started to get upset, Jared was the closest thing I had to a brother, he was my best friend. He still hadn’t returned, and it wasn’t like him. I had to know he was okay.
“No tears baby”. Wiping my cheeks, he pulled me too him and held me tight. “He’ll be back in the morning now come on its late”.
“I need to know he hasn’t done anything stupid”. Jared was ruthless and he wasn’t in the right frame of mind just now and I had probably made him worse with my stupid mouth.
“I’d know about it if he had now come on bedtime”. Taking my hand in his he led me back to the bedroom. Taking off my slippers I pulled back the covers and got in.
“Can you please call him?” I begged reaching over I turned on the bedside lamp. “If he doesn’t answer then I’ll wait until morning, but we have to at least make sure he’s safe”.
He didn’t have to call him. Jared was calling Blaze.
“Jared?”. For the first time in a while, I heard the panic in Blazes voice.
“Need your help brother. I fucked it. Got in too deep. I’ve been hit”.
“He’s been shot?” I gasped.
“About two blocks away Blaze and bring Ava I’m going to need her”….
And then the line went dead.
“This is all my fault” I cried.
“No time baby we have to go”. He was right. Regardless of what I said Jared was out there and he was hurt.
It wasn’t until Blaze was speeding down the street that I realised I was only in a pair of shorts and his jumper. I was too busy thinking about Jared that I had forgot to get changed. I didn’t even have shoes on.
It was his bike I noticed first.
“There”. I pointed.
Jared was leaning against a fence doubled over. My heart sank. As Blaze came to a stop I jumped out and ran straight to him. He was going to the hospital; this was too big just for me to work on.
“Shit sweetheart you don’t even have shoes on”. He grinned. I was glad he still had his sense of humour.
“Where have you been hit? Let me see”. As Blaze helped him up all I could see was how wet his t-shirt was. He was bleeding out. “Straight to the hospital Blaze, Jared stay with me”. His body was limp as we got him to the truck. Placing him in the back I jumped in with him putting pressure on the wound.
“You fix me darling. No hospitals”. He groaned his eyes starting to shut.
I was trying my hardest not to cry but I couldn’t help it. “Stay with me”. I sobbed, grabbing his hand I laced our fingers together. There was a time I wouldn’t have survived if it wasn’t for Jared. He filled the gap when Blaze wasn’t there. He helped me raise Everleigh; he helped me deal with the thought of Blaze not coming back.
He pulled me back to being me.
“Hospital Blaze. I can’t do this on my own”.
By the time we got to the hospital I was covered in blood, Jared’s blood.
We were currently sitting in the waiting room. Jared had been rushed away as soon as we stumbled through the doors. No one was telling us anything. Right now, it was a waiting game. No words were spoken between Blaze and me. We were too busy with our own thoughts. Jared was important to both of us.
“Why did I have to say that to him?” I whispered, “I should have kept my mouth shut but no I had to put my 2 cents in”. Getting to my feet I started pacing. “If he dies it’s on me”.
He shot up from his seat grabbing both my hands.
“This isn’t on you Ava; you aren’t to blame for this, and he isn’t going to die. He can’t”. Pulling me to him I rested my head against his chest my arms wrapping around his waist. We sure have hell didn’t have much luck when it came to anything. Just when I thought everything was coming together something like this happens.
“I need to call my mom so she can pick up Everleigh”. I knew Duke would keep her safe I just didn’t want her waking up and us not being there. I didn’t have a choice but to leave her. She didn’t need to see her uncle Jared that way.
“Duke will keep her safe you can trust him”. Kissing the top of my head my eyes closed. Even if my relationship with Duke wasn’t always good, I knew I could trust him and I knew he’d keep my baby safe.
“Ava”. Pulling back from Blaze, Josh was stood in his scrubs. “Come and sit down please”. To me that wasn’t a good sign. I had been through the process of telling someone sad news. Taking his advice, we both sat down expecting the worst.
“He’s stable for now but the bullet is still in there. We have an entrance wound but not an exit. We’ve took him for an x-ray, and he will go for surgery first thing tomorrow so we can retrieve the bullet. It did damage some of the blood vessels around his heart that’s why there was so much blood. I’ve induced him into a temporary coma for now but overall, he’s a fighter”.
“Thanks, Josh please keep us updated”. Squeezing Blazes hand, he glared at me. He wasn’t a huge fan of Josh but right now he had to put that behind him. He was treating his best friend, the least he could do was say thank you.
“Aye thanks doc. Ava I’m going for a smoke I’ll contact some of the guys and let them know what’s happened”.
“He still doesn’t like me, does he?”. Josh asked.
“Don’t be offended, Blaze doesn’t like anyone but really Josh thank you for making him stable and keeping him alive”.
“It’s what I do, it’s what you do too”. He grinned taking the seat beside me. “I see Ally was brought in earlier tonight. Her partner is still here if you maybe want to go give them an update?”.
“What room is she in?”. I asked looking down at my feet. I wondered if they had cleared out my office when I left. I know I left some sneakers there.
I was shoeless and covered in dried blood. I needed a hot shower and some clean clothes. The hospital was quiet tonight, and I was glad no one could see the state I was in.
“How about you go take a shower and freshen up? I’ll get you a pair of scrubs and I’m sure you still have some shoes lying around here”. Placing his hand on my shoulder he squeezed gently. “It’s nice to see you haven’t lost your touch. I seen the way you dealt with Jared when you brought him in. I need you back here Ava but no rush just when you’re ready. I have rounds I’ll see you later”.
Blaze hadn’t returned and I was still sat in the same position as I was before he left. I thought about going for a shower but in all honesty, I couldn’t be bother. I still wasn’t feeling great. My lower back was giving me jip and I felt sick to my stomach.
My family never seemed to catch a break.
Peeling my eyes open I frowned. I was lying in a hospital bed an IV sticking out my arm. What the hell happened? Where was Blaze?
“Don’t take it out”. Josh warned. “You’re severely dehydrated, that right there will give you a little boost. Doesn’t look like you’ve been looking after yourself Ava”.
I was fine. A little under the weather but I was dealing with it.
“I’m a little sick”. I shrugged. “How’s Jared?”.
“Always concerned more about other people”. He sighed. “Jared is as good as he can be right now. If anything changes, you’ll be the first to know. Now stay put you need-…”.
“Cage I swear if I fall out this wheelchair, you’re dead”.
Ally?
“He’s doing my head in”. She groaned as he pushed her into the room. I couldn’t help but grin. It was nice to see them getting along again. Josh had left and Cage had gone to find Blaze. “He’s been fussing over me since I got brought in and you can guess his reaction because he has to help me pee”.
Trying to stifle my laughter I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip. He was some boy, but I knew she wouldn’t have him any other way. “I heard what happened to Jared. Will he be, okay?”. I couldn’t help the guilt I was feeling. If I hadn’t of said those things to him, he wouldn’t be here. He didn’t deserve to be here.