Crossed: Book Two (A NEW ADULT ROMANCE) by Emma Browning Page A

says.
    “Yeah, they are okay, just trying to get here.”
    “I can imagine how terrible that would be,” I say, just wanting to be part of the conversation. “I missed you Nick.”
    “I just saw you Kase.”
    “Well, I know but for some reason it feels like months ago.”
    “ Drama ,” Nick says, winking at Tyson.”
    “Tell me about it!” Tyson comes back.
    “You guys are all very funny,” I say as I walk over to Marcus to get a closer look.
    “Has he moved at all, or said anything yet?” I ask Nicky.
    “No, they have seen some eye movement and they are picking up signs of brain activity, but no physical movement yet,” she responds.
    “Brain activity,” Tyson intervenes, “Must be all those wet dreams he’s having about you now Nick.”
    “Quit being a jerkoff, Tyson,” she says as she punches him in the arm.
    “Ow,” he says, “What was that for?”
    “Alright, cut it out you two. You’d think you two are the ones in love.” I say, looking at both to make sure they aren’t smiling at each other or otherwise conveying some secret between them. “I’m keeping my eyes on you two,” I say.
    “How long are you staying here,” Tyson asks Nicky.
    “I don’t know. I’ll stay for a while today, but I’ll probably go home tonight. They don’t really…” she tears up, “They don’t really know when he’ll… if he’ll…”
    “Oh Nick. He’ll come out of it soon, I promise,” I say rubbing her shoulder. “Come stay with us tonight. We’ll sleep at the cabin and come back in the morning. “He might be up by then, you know.”
    “Thanks Kasey. You’re the best. I’ll do that.”
    “Deal,” I say, pulling her close into me and squeezing her tight.
     
    *****
    The first week at the cabin is slow. Very slow. We spend a lot of time together and I take a lot of walks with Bear, just to get out and take my time with things. Tyson seems changed in a slight way. Somehow not as cocky as he was before, but still having that ‘everything is going to be alright’ attitude. Perhaps not having his military commitment has left him wondering a little what he is going to do for “work” now. I try to reassure him not to worry about working so much. He turns his attention to working out and reading more. We watch movies at night and enjoy being together, without that feeling that the world could end at any minute.
    Nicky visits often and we soothe her frequently about Marcus. She drinks a lot of Tyson’s wine and that seems to help. It helps us maybe more than her because after a few days we’ve developed some rituals around it and are having a good time. The weight of not having Marcus at the table drags at us, but Nicky continues to be the loose spirit she’s always been and after a glass of wine, she eases up further and is having fun with us.
    Midway through the second week, we get an ecstatic call from her that Marcus is awake. We pick her up and head to the hospital straight away to see him.
    “Hey buddy,” Nicky says getting close to him and kissing him on the forehead.
    The tube is no longer in his mouth, but the bandages still cover his head. “You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he says quietly and cracks the slightest of smiles. That lights up Nicky and she covers him with more kisses.
    “So glad to see you guys too,” he says looking at Tyson and me.
    We can see now that many of the bandages are removed that his face is heavily bruised. The largest bandage remains wrapped around his head at the back and top.
    “It’s great to see you Marcus. Ready for a drink?” Tyson says.
    “No doubt. Get me out of here,” Marcus returns.
    “Well they say you have another few days, Marcus. They have a lot of analysis to do now that you are awake again. And they want to be sure that things are okay before they release you. Did your parents come yet today?” I ask.
    “Yeah, they were here. Left to get some lunch. They’ll probably be back later tonight,” he replies.
    We visit with