Reckless (63 page)

Still carrying Gibson, Griffin strode toward the room I’d just left. Matt and Evan glanced at each other, then followed him. Giggling, Anna hurried after her husband. I watched the crowd
descending on Kellan, then motioned for Justin and Holeshot to come with me, and we all followed the D-Bags. One for all and all for one.

Kellan was more like himself as the afternoon wore on. He was tired and in pain, but mostly in good spirits. Tory left soon after checking on Kellan; she said she was
immediately going to issue a statement to the public that “It was touch and go, but Kellan narrowly escaped Death’s dark call, and he is slowly recuperating from his nearly tragic
accident.” I thought her story was a little dramatic, but by the glow in her eyes, I could tell that framing it that way was excellent publicity. I found it really interesting that we
couldn’t get her to lift a finger for us when we needed her to, but she was all over it when it benefitted the label.

Rock stars and roadies loitered around Kellan’s room as he recovered, much to the delight of the nurses who popped in every five minutes. The doctors and the head nurse, Carly, were less
happy about Kellan’s numerous guests, and eventually made everyone leave Kellan’s room but me. Since Holeshot and the tour crew members had to go get ready for the show tonight anyway,
they said their goodbyes and grudgingly left the hospital. Justin stayed, since his band wasn’t playing, but he gave Kellan and me some privacy by hanging out in the lobby with Anna and the
other D-Bags.

When the sky began to darken, I wandered over to the window to peek outside. I’d heard from the nurses that the crowd of fans outside had swelled considerably since earlier today. As I
started to peer through the blinds, Kellan asked, “Have you heard from Sienna? She didn’t come by. I’m kind of surprised by that.”

I looked back at him in bed. He was sitting up higher with fluffy pillows shoved behind his back, but still at an angle that was comfortable for his stomach. There was a tray of uneaten food
hovering over his lap, and he was frowning as he poked at a cup of Jell-O with a plastic spoon.

“I’m kind of surprised by that too,” I answered. It wasn’t like Sienna to miss a photo op, and her rushing to the side of her fallen colleague seemed like a missed
opportunity to me. Even if Kellan and I had come clean about our relationship and no one believed that they were dating—and I was really hoping that was the case now—visiting Kellan at
the hospital would still make her look good. And after what we’d said about her, she probably needed a little positive PR.

“She sent flowers.” I pointed over to a modest floral arrangement that was resting between an elegant bouquet of lilies from Lana, and a monstrous vase overflowing with cloyingly
powerful red roses from Nick. All the card attached to Sienna’s said was, “I’m so sorry. S.”

Kellan glanced at them, then frowned at me. “A subtle get-well bouquet isn’t exactly her style. I was expecting her to hand deliver them to me in a sequined, floor-length
gown.”

I smirked at him. Yeah, something that outrageous that demanded people paid attention was much more Sienna’s style than being virtually silent with anonymously delivered flowers. Shaking
my head since I didn’t understand it, I turned back to the window and pried open the slits. The sun had set not too long ago and it wasn’t fully dark yet, but I could easily see the
many pinpoints of lights as fans crowded around the hospital with cups of glowing candles. My throat was thick at the display of love before me. “Kellan,” I whispered, “you have
to see this.”

I knew he wouldn’t be up to standing yet, so I raised the blinds in a hope that he could see the lights from his bed. Since he was only a foot or two away, he had a pretty good view. I
watched his face as he dropped his spoon to his tray. “What is that?”

“Those are your fans. They’re here for you.” I waved at the fans. Since the light was on in Kellan’s room and it was dark outside, I knew they had a full shot of me. I
wasn’t sure how they’d react to seeing me here, but surprisingly the candles started moving in unison, like they were waving back at me. I took that as a good sign.

Kellan looked up at me, mystified. “That’s for me?”

Walking over to his bed, I sat on the corner and ran my hand through his hair. “You’re very loved. And not just because of what you are. Your fans see you. Through your music, they
see you. And they love you.” I cupped his perfect, right-angled jaw, and stroked his cheek with my thumb. “It’s not just
this
that they love, you know? It’s
you.”

Leaning down, I kissed his forehead.

I looked up when I heard a light tap at the door. When I saw the group of people who were watching us, I thought I was going to start sobbing. Standing just inside of the doorframe were my
mother and father, and Kellan’s father, Gavin. Hailey and Riley were peeking into the room from behind their dad. I was so surprised, I was at a loss for words. I had just talked with each of
them a few hours ago, and none of them had mentioned hopping a plane and flying out here.

Kellan was just as much at a loss as I was. “Gavin, Caroline . . . Martin? What are you doing in New York?”

Gavin approached his son; the worry on his face was as clear as day to me. It warmed my heart. Even if he’d kept his distance for most of Kellan’s life, he really did love him.
“I’m sorry we’re so late. We got on the first flight we could.” Standing beside Kellan, Gavin put a hand on his shoulder. “We were all so incredibly worried about
you.”

Hailey and Riley came up to stand at the end of the bed while Kellan’s eyes teared up. “You were worried about . . . me?” He still seemed stunned that they would care.

Gavin’s face softened into a smile. “Of course I was, son. When I heard you were in an accident, I was terrified.”

Reaching down, Hailey rubbed his foot through the blanket. “We love you, bro.” Riley nodded in agreement.

While Kellan swallowed back both physical and emotional pain, my parents stepped up to the bed. My mom was cradling Gibson to her chest, but reached over and put her hand on Kellan’s leg.
“We came as soon as we could too.” Her green eyes flashed to mine. “You’re family, Kellan.”

Kellan turned to me, and I could see the pain and joy in his eyes. This is what he’d always wanted. Family. A real family. I couldn’t contain it anymore, and big fat tears started
rolling down my cheeks. Dad looked like he was suddenly worried about my health as he stared at me. Mom simply walked around and gave me a knowing hug. Having my family fully accept my husband was
the greatest gift they could have ever given me, and him.

When I calmed down, Kellan relaxed back into his cushions. Even though he cringed in discomfort, he was smiling at me. “So adorable,” he muttered.

Ignoring him, I watched my mom as she kissed Gibson’s nose. “How is it you are all here together?”

Dad frowned as he gave Mom a pointed glance. “Your mother spotted Gavin in baggage claim . . . from clear across the room.”

Ignoring him, Mom cooed at her granddaughter. I stifled a laugh. Yeah, like Kellan, Gavin stood out in a crowd.

As it grew late into the evening, I thought about the concert going on, and all the fans who would be disheartened that Kellan and the D-Bags weren’t playing. But they couldn’t play
without their lead singer, and he was in no shape to be on stage. I was a little surprised that Sienna hadn’t played up her distress over the accident by rescheduling the show. Everything
about what she’d done today was surprising me.

I think my mom wanted to stay by Kellan’s side all night, baby Gibson in hand, but I could see how tired she was, and I made the D-Bags take her and Dad back to the hotel. She promised to
come back first thing in the morning. I didn’t doubt she would.

Collecting her daughter from Mom, Anna asked me, “Are you coming with us back to the hotel?” I could tell from her tone of voice that she already knew my answer. I shook my head. No,
I wasn’t leaving Kellan’s side. They’d have to drag me outside to get me to leave.

Justin and the D-Bags headed out with Anna and our parents. Gavin and his children went with them. The room felt a little bigger with everyone’s energy gone, but the level of love inside
it didn’t lower at all. I gazed at Kellan for long minutes, just wanting time to stand still. Eyes heavy with drugs, pain, and sleep, Kellan stared right back at me. Then his face contorted
into a strange expression. “Crap,” he whispered. “I have to pee.” He looked over to the bathroom and sighed, like it was so far away it may as well have been in another
country.

Chuckling at him, I kissed his cheek. “I could help you?”

He pursed his lips. “Uh, no, I got it. I can do this.” He let out a low, steady exhale. “The nurse said I should get up and move around anyway.”

He leaned forward to stand and I placed my hands on his back in support. “She said tomorrow you should.”

Kellan bit his lip as he tried to suppress a groan. It didn’t work, and he let out a low rumble of pain. “It’s just a couple of hours shy of tomorrow,” he said through
clenched teeth.

As he uncovered himself from the sheets, I hurried around to the other side of the bed, bringing the IV stand with me. Once he stood up, he gasped and clenched at the pole for support. I held it
still so he wouldn’t fall over. Pale and looking a little ill, he glanced out the window. His mouth dropped open as he got a clear view of the sea of candlelight in the darkness. “Oh my
God, Kiera. They’re still here.”

Patting his hand on the pole, I urged him forward. “Of course they are.”

Kellan seemed to forget about his pain until he took a step. Then he groaned and gingerly held his stomach. Feeling bad that I couldn’t do anything for him, I merely held the bathroom door
open. His face was tight as he passed by me. “Thanks.”

Before I closed the door behind him, I couldn’t help but check out the toned sections of skin showing between the ties along the back of his gown. Only Kellan Kyle could make a hospital
gown sexy. Kellan started to chuckle when he noticed me watching; he instantly grimaced. “Stop making me laugh and close the door.”

Letting out a hearty laugh, since he couldn’t, I did what he asked. While I waited for him and hoped he didn’t get light-headed and pass out, I meandered over to the window to watch
the crowd of well-wishers. They were stretched along the sidewalk across from the hospital, almost as far as I could see; it really was an impressive sight.

A short knock followed by a polite voice disrupted my thoughts. “Mrs. Kyle, I’m sorry to bother you. It’s after hours, but your brother is here?”

I turned to see the night nurse poking her head through the partially open door. I kept my face purposely neutral. Brother? I didn’t have a brother. The nurse looked behind her, then back
at me. “Normally, I’d make him wait until morning, but he says he flew across the country to see you?”

She looked at me skeptically, like she was sure the person behind her was not who he claimed to be. And she was right; he wasn’t who he said he was. I let the surprise I felt show on my
face. “Denny? Denny’s here?”

The nurse seemed relieved and opened the door a bit wider. “I’ll let him come in, but just for a few minutes, okay?”

I nodded, still absolutely stunned that he’d come all this way. The nurse stepped back and made a motion with her hand while opening the door wide with her other one. Denny stepped into
the room, looking worn and weary. Abby followed a step behind him. Even more surprise trickled through me at seeing Denny’s fiancée.

Respectfully, Denny turned to the nurse and told her, “Thank you for your help, Renae.” For the millionth time today, I was shocked; he’d said that without any trace of an
accent. Nothing.

Once she was gone, Denny turned back to me. I must have still looked shocked, because he started laughing. His accent back in place, he told me, “I couldn’t be your brother if I
didn’t sound like you, and I wanted to make sure they let me in.” My favorite grin formed on his lips. “And faking an American accent is not easy. I was positive she was going to
see right through me.”

Giggling, I rushed over to him and tossed my arms around him. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

Sighing, Denny held me tight. “I’m only sorry I’m late.”

The bathroom door swung open as Denny and I pulled apart. Kellan had a small smile on his face that fell when he noticed Denny. The same shock I’d felt flitted over Kellan’s features
as he wobbled a bit. He didn’t seem angry, just massively surprised. Tilting his head, he asked, “Are you a figment of my pain meds? Or are you really standing right in front of
me?”

“I’m really here. It’s good to see you in one piece, mate.” Smiling, Denny walked over and gave Kellan a quick hug. It was pretty easy to see that Kellan was quickly
losing strength.

As Denny helped him get back into bed, Kellan looked between Denny and Abby and stammered, “You’re here? You both came all the way over here? For me?”

Once Kellan was lying down, Denny sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, we came here for you.” He glanced at Abby, then turned back to Kellan. “It scared the piss
outta me, when I found out you were hurt. All I could think was that . . .” Swallowing, Denny looked away.

Realizing this moment had nothing to do with me, I stayed against the wall and tried to be inconspicuous. Abby moved beside me and gave me a soft smile as she patted my hand. I could tell by the
look on her face that she was silently acknowledging all of the pain I’d gone through today, and offering me her support and friendship. I clasped her hand, grateful, and then the both of us
turned to watch our fiancés.

When Denny could continue, he told Kellan, “We used to be close. We used to be like brothers. And if you died . . . it would be like a part of my family had died. And I don’t think
you realize that.” His eyes returned to Kellan’s. “I hate the idea of you dying without knowing how much I . . .” Closing his mouth, he sniffed, then said, “I
don’t know, I feel like, maybe I haven’t been the greatest friend to you.”

“Denny—”