Secret Love

Chapter 17

I sit across from Alison in the break room, nervously drumming my fingers on the table top, "I'm worried Alison. Ash wont answer his phone and its been five days wince he took off."

Alison gets up and sits next me, "I'm sure he's fine Sammy."

My cell phone vibrates against the table and I quickly snatch it up and answer without looking at the caller id.

"Sammy, Ash just got brought into the emergency room." my brother informs me.

A small gasp escapes my lips, "What happened Jason? Is he going to be okay?"

I glance over at Alison, but focus on Jason's voice, "Some asshole ran a red light and slammed right into him. He's stable, but he's banged up pretty badly."

I push away from the table, "I'm on my way." I hang up my phone and gather up my stuff.

"Ash is in the hospital. I need to go." I tell Alison.

I walk out without say another word and rush over to my car. I speed down to the hospital and pull into the first available parking spot. I hurry inside, flying past the information desk and down endless hallways until I fin Jason.

'Where is he?" I ask, breathlessly.

"Room A-10. Just a warning the pain meds we have him on are making him a little loopy."

I walk down the hall and step into his room. I gasp when I see Ash. He is covered in cuts and bruises and his left arm is in a black cast. I move closer to the bed and Ash smiles when he notices me. I run my hands through his hair and he leans into my touch, "how are you feeling?" I ask him.

"I feel amaaaaaaazing!" he says happily.

I chuckle and shake my head. I guess Jason was right, the stuff they have him on is making him loopy.

"Why are you dressed like that?" he wonders.

"'Cause I was working when Jason called me and I rushed right over." I explain.

"Sammy," he gasps, "What if you get fired?"

I smile at him, "I won't get fired Ash. Besides, you're way more important."

Ash leans his head against the pillow and closes his eyes. I pull a chair up next to the bed and remain quiet.

"I lied to you." he whispers so low I almost didn't hear.

"What are you talking about?"

"The day we were fighting, "he explains, "when I said that night between us meant nothing to me, I lied. It meant everything to me. Youmean everything to me."

Ash's breathing evens out and I sit back in the chair. I don't know what to think about his confession. A part of me wants to believe that he means that, but the other part of me knows that he is extremely high on pain meds right now.

I don't know how how long I have been sitting here listen to the beeping of the machines that Ash is hooked up to. My eyes start to droop and I give into the need to sleep.

A low, deep groan wakes me up. I snap my eyes open to see Ash rubbing a hand over his head, "Why does it feel like I've been run over?"

"'Cause you have." Jason states simply.

I rub my eyes and stretch. Ash looks over at me, confusion written all over his face, "What are you doing here Sammy?" he asks me.

"I showed up last night, don't you remember?"

He slowly shakes his head, "the last thing I remember is being brought here in an ambulance."

"That's probably due to the pain medication we gave you. You were pretty out of it once it kicked in, but don't worry, you'll probably remember everything later." he assures Ash.

So Ash has no memory of saying anything to me last night. I can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Did he really mean what he said last night? Should I mention what he said and see how he react to it? Should I just pretend like it never happened? I have no idea what to do!

I drop my head on the edge of the hospital bed and sigh. Ash stokes mt hair and I turn my head to look at him. He smiles at me and the tender look in his eyes melts my heart.

"You should head home Sammy and get some sleep." he tells me.

"What about you?"

He cups my cheek and I nuzzle my cheek against his hand, "I'll be fine. I'll catch a ride home with Jason. Go home and get some sleep honey."

I nod and get up from the chair. I impulsively lean down and kiss Ash on the cheek before leaving his room. I pass my brother on the way out and give him a hug before I walk back out to my car and drive home.

I walk straight to my room once I get home. I close the door behind me and strip out of my uniform. I toss it in the hamper and collapse on my bed, not bother to pull any clothes over my bra and panties. I pull the covers over myself and fall asleep the instant my head hits my pillow.

I feel warm hands stroking my hair and back. I snuggle closer to the warm body next me, not wanting to wake up. The person next to me chuckles and my eyes snap open, "You're home!" I throw myself in Ash's arms. He wraps his good arm around me and chuckles again.

"Easy there, " he whispers, "I'm still sore."

I immediately jump away from him, afraid of hurting him. His eyes travel down my body then back up to lock gazes with me. I shiver at the heated gaze. I quickly wrap my blanket around myself as I remember that I'm only wearing my bra and panties.

Ash takes a deep breath and moves off the bed. He stops by the door and turns back to face me, "Get some sleep Sammy, we have a lot to talk about tomorrow."

I watch him walk out of my room and quietly shut the door behind him. I flop back down on my bed and let out a huge sigh. What in the world could he want to talk about? I guess I will find out tomorrow.