Page 29 of Unlocked Desire: Vol One

"He's in room 501. Please wait outside the room, and someone will come and see you."

Lip turned to me. "Let's go."

We waited outside Jack's room for what felt like an eternity. I tried to peek in, but the blinds were drawn, and I couldn't get a glimpse of Jack. Being so close to him and unable to see him was killing me.

"What's taking so long?" Lip asked as he paced back and forth in front of me.

I'd never seen Lip like this; he was always in control, confident, and sure of himself.

I moved close and grabbed his head, my eyes fixed on his. "It will be okay."

"It's drivin' me crazy not knowing anything. Like, is this shit normal? Making loved ones wait to hear news? What kind of bullshit is this? Someone should've told us what was goin' on the minute we walked up to that desk."

"Phillip Sullivan?" a middle-aged woman in a white coat asked.

"Yes, that's me."

"I'm Doctor Smith, Mr. McGrath's doctor. The good news is that Mr. McGrath is going to be fine. The swelling has reduced, and there are no major injuries or trauma. He'll be as good as new with a little rest."

Relief overwhelmed me. It was like falling down a dark hole, knowing the landing would be hard, only to have the fall cushioned at the last minute. I’d been so worried until I heard the doctor tell us Jack would be fine.

"Can we see him?" I asked.

"Yes. I think he might like to see some familiar faces. When he woke up, he asked for Lip and Joey."

Chapter 8

LIP

"You're never allowed to ride that bike again," Joey said the minute we walked into Jack's hospital room.

Jack laughed, winced, and grabbed his side. "Damn, sweetheart, you aren't even gonna cut me a break when I'm an invalid lying in a hospital bed?"

Joey ran up to him, kissed him on the cheek, and examined every inch of him she could see. "No, 'cause you put yourself here. Why didn't anyone call us?"

"I lost my wallet. They didn't know who I was until I woke up and told them my name. That's when they called Lip." Jack turned to look at me. "You gonna stand there, or you gonna come say hi?"

"Not sure if I won’t kill you right now."

Jack patted the other side of the bed. "Come on."

As I drew closer to him, my rage fell away, replaced by relief. "You're a fuckin' idiot, but man, I'm so glad you're okay."

"I'm sorry," Jack said, looking between Joey and me. "I know I was a complete asshole. I've got some shit to deal with, but lying here, knowing what happened because of my stupidity, I'm gonna try harder not to be a fuckin' idiot."

I shook my head. "I can't keep doing this."

"What?" Joey and Jack asked in union.

"What the fuck do you mean you can't do this?" Joey demanded. "This is us. We only work as the three of us. What do you mean, Lip?"

"If you stop asking questions, maybe I can answer you," I snapped. "I meant that I can't keep doing this shit with Jack running away." I turned to look Jack directly in the eyes. I needed him to know that what I said next was for him. "I love you. I've loved you since I was four years old in one way or another. The idea of losing you and Joey makes me feel like I'm crawling out of my skin. You can't pull this shit anymore."

"I know. I'm not gonna. I woke up in this bed alone and realized what a complete ass I've been." Jack winced as he reached one hand to Joey and the other to me. Joey took it without hesitation, but I waited a moment. "I know I've fucked up, Lip. I know I am fucked up."

"You fuckin scared me, man. This is the first time you genuinely scared me."

Joey walked over to me, wrapping her arms around my waist and resting her head on my chest. "You're not alone."