I hate this. I hate all of this. I’ve never been in a hospital before. Sure I’ve had injuries here and there over the years, especially playing basketball. But they’ve been minor and could be handled by my team doctor or my primary care doctor. And now the first time I’m in a hospital, and it’s with a broken leg and bruised ribs. But worst of all, Riko is here with me, and I have no idea how she’s doing.
“Fuck! This is my fault.” I yelled, shoving away the tray of food some nurse had left me. “Forrest, it isn’t your fault.” Elijah sighed, trying to reassure me. On some level, I know he’s right. But I also know a part of him does blame me. I was the one driving. I was the one that couldn’t get out of the way in time. I put Riko here.
And now, not only do I not get my date with he
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Ugh, my head hurts. It’s like a whole road crew is at work doing double time inside my skull. My whole body aches, and I’m not sure why. I tried to gain my bearings and collect my thoughts. The last thing I remember was driving with Forrest. He was so sweet and understanding. Proving yet again that he and his brothers don’t get jealous, at least not of each other. And then… then headlights.My eyes shot open, the bright fluorescent lights above me making me squint. “FORREST!” I shouted, sitting up despite the pain. “Whoa…. Slow down, Riko.” the familiar voice of my father reached me as his hand rested on my shoulder. “You’re okay. You’re in the hospital. That dumb kid hit another car.” he explained.I furrowed my brow, closing my eyes as I felt dizzy and like I might throw up.
Hearing about Riko’s mom was a lot to take in. No wonder she didn’t talk about it. Darius said she’d dodged his questions about her mom during their date. It all makes sense. Her dad obviously has unresolved issues about his wife’s death, and if he’s never sought help to work through his grief, he certainly didn’t think to take his ten-year-old daughter. I know mental health isn’t always something people think about, and often have some sense of shame about needing help, especially for men. It’s bullshit. Or at least I think it’s bullshit. Needing help is never something to be ashamed of. But I was raised where it was seen as normal, mostly because Aunt Larissa is a psychologist. Maybe I should give her a call, see if she can recommend someone local to suggest Riko and especially her father speak with. I glanced over at Forrest and can practically
I’d fallen asleep at some point. I’m not sure how long I’ve been asleep, but I was woken up by someone prodding at me. I groaned, squinting as I opened my eyes. A man was hovering near my head. Given he’s in scrubs and a white doctor’s coat, he’s obviously my attending doctor. “Sorry to have woken you, Riko.” the doctor apologizes. “I’m Doctor Theodore Tate. I want to check on your stitches. If you could try to sit up a little.” he introduced himself. I nodded a little, wincing as I sat up a bit as he requested. While he and a nurse carefully unwrapped the bandage around my head, I looked around the room. Dad was asleep in a chair. I felt so bad. I know what losing mom did to him. He had always been protective when I was a little girl, though mom played interference between us. There was no one to play interference with her gone, and he had direct
I was hanging on by a damn thread to my emotions. I’m usually the one that is always in control of them. But when I lose that control… I’m a danger to others. This much I know. And my family, mostly my mother, knows it too. “Darius…” mom sighs, putting her hand on my shoulder. “Why don’t you go for a walk, get some fresh air.” she suggested. I let out a breath running my hand through my hair. “Yeah… I’ll do that. Better than sitting here holding my breath, her dad lets us see her.” I nodded. “If you want, you can take my car and head home. If you see Elijah, you can take him with you. Your father and I will wait here till they discharge Forrest and bring him home.” she suggested. “But…” I wanted to argue. “He’s not going to let you near her. At least not tonight, and visiting hours are over.” mom sighed. “She’s right. He’s a stubborn little shit.”
Sunday was crap. I’ve been trying to adjust to using my crutches and having a room on the third floor fucking blows. My brothers have had to help me get up the stairs. Also, having to put a trash bag on my leg to shower fucking blows. And the fact we haven’t been able to talk to Riko is making me nuts.Every time we tried to call her hospital room, her dad answered. He’s fucking psycho. Who decides to isolate their only child from everyone they know and love? And who decides that in the fall out of a traumatic event is the best time to do it? Psychopaths or Sociopaths, whatever. He’s one of those. And I want to brain him with my crutch.Even Cassidy couldn’t get through his blockade. She tried calling and texting Riko only to get the same error we did. Her dad had her blocked too. And just like her grandparents and us c
A week. A whole fucking week stuck in a hospital. They are supposed to remove my stitches today. So that’s a good thing. One step closer to getting out of here. Dad took an emergency leave from work to be with me. I really wish he’d spend more time at work and home rather than here. I feel so lost and confused. I got my new phone. They transferred my contacts, but I get an undeliverable message when I’ve tried to the boys or even Cassidy. Which means they blocked me since I know for a fact I didn’t block them. It makes no sense. Why would they block me? Could they really blame me for the accident? But even then, what about Cassidy? She only tolerates the brothers because of me. She wouldn’t hate me for Forrest not being able to play basketball. She has beef with all jocks. So why was she avoiding me? And wh
After our run-in with Ryōta at the hospital, we’d gone straight home, pissed and ready to find dad. We wanted this asshole’s control over our girl gone. But when we got home, we were in for a big surprise. Hibiki and Yūri were on our front porch with bags.Ryōta had told them they needed to stay somewhere else after they confronted him about keeping Riko from them and how Riko left a message on the home phone. Apparently, he’s immune to guilt. I didn’t even know that was possible. They’ve been staying with us ever since, and dad’s been working on legal options for them and Riko.He is a total prick. We’d been sending flowers via delivery services all week, and all week we would get a call telling us they were unable to make the delivery as they refused it. I hate him. I don’t use that word lightly. I don&rsq
I’d been so nervous after I got off the phone with the boys. I was finally going to see them. I was excited, but then I remembered how bad I look. I almost wish they weren’t coming. I don’t want them to see me like this. My hair is a complete mess with the one side being shaved, and I haven’t even gotten to take a shower. I feel gross. There was just no stopping them. If there is one thing I have learned in my relationship with them, they don’t stop when they want something. Hell, the fact we have a relationship is proof of that. They decided they wanted me, and they got me. I never thought I’d fall for them so quickly. But if how depressed I’ve been without them indicates anything, it’s that I have fallen and hard. When they walked into my hospital room, it was like all the weight that was holding me down, and all those negative feelings just vanished