Without You (Love Wanted in Texas #1) 25

“Lex, I’m right here.”

Will…

I forced my eyes to open, and the first things I saw were his beautiful blue eyes. I attempted to smile, but my entire face hurt like hell.

“Will…” I said in a raspy voice. “I hurt so bad.”

He nodded his head. “I know, baby. I know.” He leaned over and did something.

“Yes?” a voice answered from what sounded like an intercom right next to my ear.

“She’s awake,” Will said.

“Thank you, Mr. Hayes. I’ll let the doctor on duty and her parents know.”

I looked around. Where am I? What happened?

“Where am I, Will? I just remember needing you. I was so scared, and I needed you.”

His eyes filled with tears. He looked away and then turned back to look at me. “You’re in the hospital, Lex, and I’m here. I’ll always be here for you.”

The nurse came in, took all my vitals, and gave me some medicine.

“The doctor will be in shortly, Ms. Mathews.” She smiled sweetly at me before turning and leaving.

I was about to ask Will something when I heard a door open, and I slowly turned my head to see my mother and father walking in. They both had fake smiles on their faces to hide their fear.

“Oh, Alex…baby, I’m so glad you’re awake.” My mother walked to the side of the bed and took my hand in hers.

I looked over to my father, who was standing next to my mother. “Hey, Little Bear. There’s my girl. I love you, sweetheart, so very much.”

Something was terribly wrong. My father only called me Little Bear when something was wrong or when he was very emotional about something.

“What happened?” I looked at them and then back to Will.

Will peeked over at my father.

“Will?” I asked.

He kept his eyes on my father. Looking back at my father, I saw he was staring at Will. They both had looks of terror on their faces. I glanced over to look at my mother.

My mother swallowed and tried to smile. “Alex, honey, don’t worry. You’re okay. You’re just a little banged up, and they…well, you…” She turned away.

“Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Mathews?”

My parents turned to face a beautiful lady, probably in her mid-twenties, with shoulder-length blonde hair. She stood there, holding a file folder, and I noticed that I was having a hard time seeing. It was almost like I was looking out of only one eye. I reached up, touched my right eye, and let out an inner cry.

Holy shit. That hurts like hell.

“Hello, Janet.” My mother looked back at me. “Alex, Janet is here to talk to you, sweetheart.”

The blonde turned her attention to Will. “How are you doing this morning, Will?”

He smiled slightly and said, “I’m good.”

Janet cleared her throat and pointed to the police officer standing next her. “This is Officer Franks.”

My mother quickly nodded her head and took a step back. My father held her in his arms.

Why is a police officer here?

I attempted to smile as Janet walked closer to me. Something about her made me feel…safe and comfortable. It was like she recognized this strange feeling inside me.

“Alex, my name is Janet. I’m a counselor, and I work for the hospital. I’m here to ask you a few questions. Is that okay?”

“Hi, Janet. Um…sure,” I said.

She smiled back. “Alex, do you remember anything about last night? Anything at all?”

“Um…not really. I was at a party with Grace.” I closed my eyes and tried to remember.

Damn, maybe I drank too much. I must have fallen and hit my eye—

My eyes snapped open. I frantically looked around the room.

Oh God. Oh God. No…Blake.

“Blake,” I whispered.

A warm sensation filled my body as Janet touched my hand.

“Alex, you’re safe, sweetheart. He’s not here.”

I felt the tears burning my eyes, and my head began pounding. “He…he tried to…I think he gave me something…he…Oh God. He slapped me because I was fighting him back.”

Janet held my hand. “Alex, sweetheart, Officer Franks would like to ask you some questions.”

I nodded my head and looked back to where Will was standing.

Officer Franks cleared her throat and took a step closer to me. “Alex, I’m going to ask you some personal questions. If you prefer, I can ask everyone to leave the room.”

I shook my head and whispered, “No, they can stay.”