For a moment, I couldn’t move.
He looked toward the door.
Our eyes met.
He smiled.
“Hey.”
That was it.
One word.
And I almost collapsed.
I walked to the bed.
“You idiot.”
His smile disappeared.
“Fair.”
“You absolute idiot.”
“I know.”
I leaned down and kissed his forehead.
Then I cried.
Tyler reached for my hand.
“I’m okay.”
“No, you’re not.”
“I will be.”
That answer broke something inside me.
I sat beside him.
For several minutes, neither of us spoke.
Then I noticed the bruising along his face.
The bandage near his temple.
The way he winced whenever he moved.
I squeezed his hand.
“You scared me.”
“I know.”
“You really scared me.”
“I’m sorry.”
I wiped my face.
“Good.”
He smiled weakly.
Then he noticed something.
“Wait.”
“What?”
“Why are you here?”
I stared at him.
“I came to surprise you.”
His eyes widened.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Please tell me you didn’t bring cake.”
I stared at him.
“Your favorite cake.”
He groaned.
“Amanda.”
“And balloons.”
He covered his face with his good hand.
“Oh, no.”
Despite everything, I laughed.
“You are impossible.”
“I’ve been injured.”
“You deserve it.”
He laughed.
Then immediately grabbed his ribs.
“Don’t make me laugh.”
