Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

PART 2 CHAPTER 137 LUKE

The room felt heavy with the sterile smell of antiseptic mixed with the soft beeping of machines monitoring Jess's vitals. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her-

bandages wrapping her head, her leg in a cast, tubes running from her arms. She looked fragile, unlike the girl I'd seen sprinting up hills and giving me at run for my money.

she was lying, so still, I had to focus on her chest to make. sure she was breathing.

When we walked in, the nurse said, "She should be able to hear you," even though it looked like she was fast asleep. Luckily, Jess was breathing on her own, which they said was a good sign.

I kept trying to focus on that. Maybe if she could hear me, would hear my apology.

she

Josh stood on the other side of the bed, holding her hand like it was a lifeline. His jaw was clenched tight, and I knew he was feeling the same thing I was-helpless.

He muttered a "thanks" to the nurse, who stopped for a second. I could see it on her face: She recognized us and didn't know if now would be the appropriate time to ask. After a few moments, she made the right choice and walked out of the

room.

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All I could think was, "This

if I had pushed harder to stop her from going, she wouldn't be lying here. I'd failed her. I should've protected her like I promised Josh I would. But now... now she was lying here in this hospital bed, and I couldn't fix it. Suddenly, Jess stirred, her lips moving, and I thought I heard her say my name. I looked over at Josh. "She called

could wake her with my touch. But she went still again like it never happened. Just a flicker. And

just sat there on opposite sides of the bed, neither of us saying anything. I didn't know how long

peaceful. I could hear her steady heart rate on the monitor and watch her chest rise and fall. Before I knew it, I was zoned out. Then, the monitor started beeping faster. The numbers

"What's happening?" Josh asked, getting up to push the call button. The beeping grew louder, and then so

- CHAPTER

s was 1.

and composed, like another day for her. "Mind just standing back for a moment," she said, her voice steady. At the same time, it was an instruction-like, get the hell back but with compassion. But I couldn't shake the fear clawing

changed just slightly, but enough to set off alarms in my head. She called for another nurse. "Call

the hell does that mean?" Josh asked, but nobody answered. Everything spiraled

face twisting in pain. "She's awake!"I mumbled but then stopped because Jess started screaming. Not just a small sound-a blood-curdling

forward, trying to grab her other hand, but more nurses stormed in, pushing us back and forcing us to stand helpless at the edge of the

she screaming?" I shouted, my voice cracking. Josh put a hand on my chest, "Let them do their job. They can help. We can't," He said, and for the

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