Of Loss & Betrayal (Madison & Logan Book 2) by S.H. Kolee Page A

to leave us.
    I turned when I heard the door to Logan’s room open, expecting Nurse Cheerful again, probably to tell me to keep it down because my soul-wrenching agony was a little too disruptive. Instead, I saw Mack, his face drawn and concerned. I was surprised at how quickly he had gotten here. He must have immediately rushed over after hanging up the phone.
    I looked at him awkwardly, not knowing what to say. He was a virtual stranger, after all.
    He walked over to the bed and stood beside me, looking down at Logan, his expression solemn. After a few moments, he turned to me. “You look exhausted. Have you eaten?”
    I shook my head. The last thing I wanted to think about was eating. “I know I look like hell. Comes with the territory, I guess.” I sounded more flippant than I meant to, but the words just slipped out.
    “Madison,” he said gently. “You’re going to make yourself sick. I spoke to Logan’s doctor before I came in, and they have no idea how long he’ll be unconscious. You need to keep yourself healthy so that you can be there for him for as long as it takes.”
    “I’m scared,” I whispered. “I’m scared if I let go of his hand, he’ll leave me. I know that sounds crazy, but what if it’s true?”
    Mack watched me for a few moments before saying anything. I expected him to tell me I was being silly, or promise me that Logan wouldn’t slip away if I let go of his hand. The last thing I expected was for him to humor me. “Is there a friend I can call who can stop by your place and pick up some stuff for you? I’m sure you can still freshen up without letting go of Logan’s hand. And you can certainly eat with just one hand.”
    In that moment, the amount of gratitude I felt towards Mack couldn’t be expressed in words. I had felt so totally alone, and suddenly I wasn’t.
    “Emily,” I finally said. “I can ask Emily.”
    Mack held out his hand. “Give me your phone. I’ll call her.”
    I shook my head, feeling a bit foolish. “It’s okay. I can call her.” I made an attempt at a shaky smile. “I can use my phone with just one hand.”
    Mack smiled back. “I know you can, but let me. You’ve been through enough.”
    I surprised myself when I gave him my phone willingly. I watched him as he scrolled through my phone and pressed the button to call Emily.
    “Hi, this is Mack, Logan and Madison’s friend,” he said after a few moments of silence. He paused, presumably to let Emily express surprise that he was calling her on my phone. “They were in a car accident. Madison is fine, but she needs a change of clothes and whatever else you think she needs to spend the night here. Logan is unconscious and she’s not planning on leaving his side anytime soon.”
    I listened to him answer her questions, although he kept his explanations brief. When he disconnected the call and handed my phone back to me, he didn’t say anything. Instead, he dragged a chair over and sat next to me.
    “What did she say?” I finally asked.
    “She asked how you guys were doing. She sounded pretty worried. She said she would be here with your stuff as soon as possible.”
    I rubbed my forehead wearily. “She was probably already at work. She can’t really afford to take any time off. She’s super busy right now, and her boss has been riding her lately. I shouldn’t have told you to call her.”
    Mack shook his head. “She didn’t sound bothered. In fact, I think she was upset that you hadn’t contacted her earlier.”
    I sighed and leaned my head forward, resting it against the bed, and closing my eyes. They burned from lack of sleep, but there was no way I would be able to get any rest. Not until Logan woke up. I tightened my grip on Logan’s hand and said my millionth prayer.
    Mack and I were silent, neither of us feeling the need to talk. I no longer felt awkward around him. The conversation between us last night seemed so trivial now.
    He seemed to have read my mind and broke the silence.