The Touch Series Box Set

by t. h. snyder

  Now we just need for Char to wake up so that the day is perfect.

  We pull away from our moms and both of them have tears running down their faces.

  “I don’t know what happened on that walk you four took, but I’m happy to see this.” Mom says grabbing onto our hands.

  “I agree.”Rose says. “You two belong together. No distance should stop you from loving one another.”

  Derrick looks over at me and gives me the look. I know what he thinks I should do and I don’t know if I should tell them yet. What if I don’t get the job?

  He sees the reluctance in my eyes and pulls me into him bringing his arm around my shoulders.

  “Chloe just shared some great news with me that I think you all will want to hear. Isn’t that right angel?”

  I give him the look of death and pull myself from his embrace.

  “Well I really didn’t want to say anything till I knew for sure, but since someone has a big mouth I guess I need to tell you.” I look at Derrick again with daggers coming from my eyes.

  He smiles at me, his baby blue eyes filled with happiness and kisses me on the forehead.

  “Go ahead tell them. We can all use some good news today.”

  I take in a deep breath and let it all out. I know everyone will be happy about this news. It’s just that I wasn’t ready to share it with everyone till I knew for sure.

  “So long story short, after I worked the Super Bowl, I was asked to look into a position as a field analyst.”

  Everyone is now up on their feet, including dad and Bud, waiting for me to say what they all know is going to come out of my mouth.

  I look around the room at the seven people staring back at me.

  “The Red Sox have been interviewing me for the past few weeks for a permanent position with the team. Monday is my final interview when they play the Orioles. If they like what I do, the job will be mine. I’ll be coming back home for good.”

  The entire room lets out a silent cheer and I’m once again pulled into a giant hug.

  It feels so good to know they all want me here, back home, where I belong.

  The past few months have sucked, they’ve really sucked, but now it’s like they never happened. I had hoped that Chloe and I would find our way back together, but this…this is just a dream come true. Having Chloe here, standing next to me, is better than I could have ever dreamed.

  It’s not the ideal moment for us to reunite, but at this point I’ll take what I can get. I stand back and watch as our families hug her like their lives depend on it. Even though I know she didn’t want to tell them yet, I still wanted her to give them something to look forward to.

  When I saw our moms’ eyes light up at us holding hands when we walked into the room, I knew they needed a little bit more to make them smile.

  Her telling them she is coming home did just that.

  Everyone begins to pull away from the group hug and I take my girl’s hand back in mine.

  “Hey do you want to go to see Riley with me? I think he could use some of your badass humor and banter the two of you got going on together.”

  “Is that really why you want me to go in there with you? Or do you just want to tell him the news that I may be coming back to Boston?”

  Chloe looks at me with those deep, dark brown eyes and I know she can see straight to my soul. There’s no use lying to her because she’ll know the truth as soon as we walk into his room.

  “Okay you got me. But can you really blame me. I want to tell everyone that you’re mine again. I don’t know when I have felt this good Chloe. The past four months have been a living hell and now I feel like I have a reason, a purpose to get up in the morning. You have no idea how happy you’ve made me today angel.”

  She turns her body to completely face me and takes my face into her small hands. Looking me straight in the eye I know she is about to cry.

  “Derrick the day I walked away from you at the airport was one of the worst days of my life. I’m so happy that I’m here with you and that you’re giving me another chance to show you how happy we can be together. I still love you Derrick. I never stopped. This is all just a lot to take in with Char and us together again. I think I’m just a bit overwhelmed.”

  “I know and I’m sorry if I’m being a bit pushy, it’s just that I’ve missed everything about you and don’t want to waste another second…”

  “Hold that thought Derrick. Let’s get in to see Riley before we get too involved. Okay?”

  “Good thinking, let’s go.”

  I kiss her forehead and interlace our fingers together. Walking past Emma, we let her know we’re going back to see Riley and to come get us if there’s any news on Char.

  Chloe and I walk side by side down the hallway and through the doors leading to Riley’s room. When we get to his door it’s closed and I can hear the nurse through the other side giving him instructions. We wait a few moments and in no time Riley and the nurse are coming out of the room.

  “What’s this, they’re letting you free already?” I ask both him and the nurse.

  “Yeah, all I have are a few broken bones and a few scraps.” He nods his head toward Chloe. “Hey girl thanks for flying all the way out here to see me. Don’t you think Char will get a little jealous?”

  Chloe smacks the arm, not in a cast, and reaches her arms around him in a hug.

  “So now what?” I ask looking directly at the nurse.

  “Mr. Kincaid is right. The doctors put a cast on him to help set his collar bone in place. The rest will just have to heal in time. All of the other tests show that he’s fine to be released today, but I did warn him to take it easy, get some rest and use the pain meds if he gets too uncomfortable.”

  “No worries, Nurse Nancy, I’ll be a good boy.” Riley says winking at the nurse.

  “Well since you’re free to go let’s go back out and see what we can find out about Char.” Chloe says taking my hand back in hers.

  “So no word yet?” Riley asks.

  “No and we’re all getting pretty antsy about not knowing what is going on, it’s been long enough by now. We should be able to get into see her soon.” I say.

  When we walk out into the visitor room, both Bryce and Teresa are standing in the corner talking to the doctor. Hopefully he has some good news to tell us because this waiting shit sucks.

  Chloe and I sit down next to mom and Emma, while Riley makes his way over to Bryce and Teresa.

  I can see that Bryce is trying to comfort Teresa by running his hand up and down her back. She is glued to his side and as soon as Riley walks over she swings an arm around his waist.

  After a few minutes the doctor pats Bryce on the back and walks out of the room. The three of them walk over to us and have a seat in the row of chairs directly across from where we’re sitting.

  “Will someone please say something?” Chloe says.

  “Of course, honey. I think I’m just in a bit of shock.” Teresa says holding onto Bryce with one arm and Riley with the other.

  Fucking hell woman just spit it out already. I’m growing more and more impatient the longer these three keep looking at one another.

  And then Riley speaks up to break the silence.

  “Well she won’t be coming home anytime soon, but they are happy with her progress. She has responded to a lot of the tests they’ve been doing on her which is good and shows normal brain activity. They also just took her off the respirator and she is breathing on her own again.”

  Riley stops talking and runs his fingers through his hair. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me she was this bad?” He looks between me and Emma.

  “Riley we couldn’t have you going crazy while you were under care too. Don’t be mad at us now. You’re up to date now and know that she’ll be fine.” Emma says.

  “That’s my girl up there. I would have liked to know what was happening. God what if something worse would have happened? I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself.”

&nb
sp; Riley gets up and shoves his hand in his pocket and begins to pace behind the row of chairs. I see him pull out a box and I know exactly what he’s holding. I look over at Chloe while she watches him.

  “Riley what is that in your hand?” She asks.

  He looks up at her with tears in his eyes.

  “It’s the ring I’m going to give my future wife when she gets out of that bed.” He says. “Teresa, Bryce I’m going up to see her. I can’t wait any longer to see my girl.”

  And with that Riley sticks the box back in his pocket and walks out the room. I can’t even begin to feel what he is going through right now. I would kill anyone to take away Chloe’s pain if we were in this situation.

  I just thank god that Char is progressing.

  Now she just needs to wake the fuck up.

  Watching Riley walk away after seeing him hold that ring is tearing at my heart strings. Char is an amazing woman and I’m so happy that she’s found her one true love. After all she went through during her relationship with Marc, I’m glad she has a guy like Riley to make her happy.

  Mom and dad walk over to us and sit down in their seats. Derrick still has my hand in his and he’s rubbing circles along the backside of my hand. I want to break the unnerving silence that is growing between us, but I don’t know what to say. I look around the room and see that everyone is pretty much staring off into space.

  Chris and Tony get up and walk over to Pete. They’ve been here ever since they brought me and I’m sure they want to get home to their families.

  I decide to sit back further in my chair and rest my head on Derrick’s shoulders. The comfort of him here with me makes me feel at ease and my eyelids begin to droop till they close. I feel a warm hand touching my face and recognize the caress as something Derrick would do to help me fall asleep or relax.

  I must have dozed off for a bit and when I wake up I see that the room has emptied quite a bit. In fact the only people in the room are me, Derrick and a few other people I don’t know.

  “Hey sleepy, how are you feeling?” Derrick asks brushing a few stray pieces of hair from my eyes.

  “I guess I was a more tired than I thought. Sorry for passing out like that. Where is everyone?” I ask.

  “Your parents went up to see Char and everyone else went home.” He replies.

  “Can we go up to see her?”

  “Of course, let’s go.”

  Derrick stands first and grabs both of my hands to help me up. We walk hand in hand to the elevator and he doesn’t let go. Since Char is in the ICU unit, we all can’t go in at the same time to see her. When we get up to her floor Mom and Dad are sitting in the visitor’s room and smile as soon as we walk in.

  “How is she? Did you get to go in and see her yet?” I ask sitting next to mom.

  She nods her head and a smile crosses her face. “We were just in to see her and she’s still asleep. She looks so peaceful lying there. I didn’t want to stay too long since Riley wanted to be with her. I’m afraid that boy won’t leave her side till she wakes up.”

  “I’d really like to go in and see her Mom.”

  “You can, it’s okay if she has two visitors at a time. Dad and I are going to go home and get some rest, but will be back first thing tomorrow morning. I suggest after you sit with her for a bit you do the same.”

  “I know, I will. I’m pretty tired from the flight but the nap I just took sure helped me feel a little better.”

  “Good, I’m glad sweetie. Do you want us to leave the door open or will you be going back to your house with Derrick?”

  I look between the three of them, my mom, dad and Derrick. They all seem to assume I’ll be staying with Derrick and have smiles on all their faces.

  “Geez guys, I can only assume you want me to stay with Derrick and I surely won’t argue. You can lock up tonight. I think I’ll be fine.”

  “Okay honey, we’re going to go, but call us if you need anything.”

  I stand with my parents and give them both a big hug whispering into my mom’s ear that I’ll be fine and that I love her so much.

  Derrick and I walk them to the elevator and then into the hallway leading to Char’s room.

  “I’ll be right out here when you’re ready to go. Take your time, no rush.”

  He pulls me into his warm body and holds onto me tightly. The feel of him against me is overwhelming. I’ve missed his touch too much. We pull apart and he kisses me on the lips. I can taste his minty breath and for a brief moment I’m absorbed into him and only him.

  I blink a few times and pull myself out of my la-la-land remembering that I’m about to go in and see my sister.

  “I won’t be too long. Then we can go home and spend some time together.”

  “Sounds good angel, I can’t wait.” He says and lets go of my hand.

  I walk through the two tall doors and down the hallway. I can see the top of Riley’s head and make my way to her room. He’s sitting up against her bed and has her left hand in his. His head is down and he doesn’t see that I’m in the room.

  “Hey Riley.” I whisper. “I didn’t want to scare you, but is it okay that I sit with her for awhile?”

  He gets up from his seat and pulls me into a hug. Riley and I have only met a few times, but we seem to have found an instant connection to one another. He’s a good guy and the best fit for my little sister. He makes her happy and that in turn makes me even happier. I don’t mind him marrying her, even if it means I have to deal with his sarcasm for the rest of my life.

  “I’m going to go get some water, be good to my girl while I’m away.” He looks down into my eyes and I can see that his are filled with tears. “She’ll come back to us soon, she just needs her rest and when she’s ready those amazing eyes will open again.”

  Riley moves behind me and exits Char’s room closing the door behind him.

  I look back over at my baby sister. We’re only a few years apart, yet she’ll always be my little sister. She looks so small lying there in the hospital bed. Her long dark hair is pulled up and some is matted to her forehead from the gauze. Her face looks pale, which for her is different since she has an amazing complexion.

  Sitting down in Riley’s seat, I take Char’s hand in mine. I look at her hand, her nails and then back up at her face. Tears begin to fall from my eyes and onto the blue blanket covering her body.

  “Oh Char! I’m so sorry you’re lying in this bed. If there’s any way I could change places with you I would, I swear I would. This whole thing shouldn’t have happened to you and Riley. Today, well I assume, was going to be a special day for you guys…and it got shot to hell. I’m sorry for being a lousy big sister. I’m sorry for moving away from you and Derrick. I screwed up Char, I screwed up big time. I’m grateful that he wants to take me back. Yeah can you believe it…me either? He’s such a great guy and I’m so lucky to have both of you in my life. I need you to wake up Char, if you can hear me wake up. I need you Char. I need to have some girl time with you and need to talk to you about some stuff. Damn it Char please wake up. I need you…we all need you.”

  I get up from the chair and walk around the room. I need to get this off my chest. Derrick is the one that should hear what an awful person I really am, but not just yet, not right now. I look over at Char’s sleeping form and wish I’d have done things differently. If I would have just kept to myself and stayed away from him, I wouldn’t feel this guilt.

  I just hope when they know, they won’t all hate me.

  The visitor’s room outside the ICU has completely cleared out and for right now I have some peace and quiet. Today has been the day from hell and it seems to be lasting forever. As happy as I am that Chloe is home and back in my life, I’m still feeling uneasy about Charlie in the hospital.

  She’s a tough cookie and I know she’ll pull through this. I just wish it wasn’t her that had to be in that room. Of all people Charlie is the most selfless, caring and compassionate person I know. She deserves to be enjoying her eng
agement to Riley right now, not knocked out in a hospital room.

  I see Riley walk out the doors and look over in his direction. His arm is in a huge cast and he looks like he could use a break. He walks over in my direction and has a seat right next to me.

  “This sucks man.” He says running his hand through his hair.

  “I know pal, but she’ll be okay. This is Charlie we’re talking about. She’s too stubborn to let a little head injury get her down. Plus if she knew we were worrying about her she’d kick our asses.”

  “She’s going to be okay Derrick. She has to be, I can’t live without her.” He says with a look of panic across his face.

  “No worries Riley. She’ll be good as new in no time.”

  “Yeah I guess. The doctors and nurses keep saying her vitals and other activity are impressive considering her injury. I just want her to open her eyes. She means the world to me and I hate that there’s nothing I can do to help her right now.”

  I can’t even begin to imagine what he feels like right now. The love of his life is lying helpless in a hospital bed and there’s nothing any of us can do to wake her up.

  “Ya know she needs her rest and when she’s good and ready she’ll get up. Charlie is miserable if you wake her before she’s ready, so let’s just give her some time. Why don’t you go home and get some rest. I’m sure the nurses will call if anything changes. You need to be awake and alert when she comes out of this.”

  “No way in hell Derrick. You can’t ask me to leave her side for that long. What if she wakes up and I’m not there. She needs to see me when she wakes up.” He says getting up and starts pacing the room.

  “Okay man I get it. Chloe and I are going to go back to the house when she gets out. You want me to bring you anything back.”

  “So I guess you two are okay now?”

  “I don’t know what you mean by okay, but I’m going to do whatever I need to do so that we can be happy again. I think we have a lot to talk about. I can guarantee she’ll get the job with the Red Sox and soon after I’ll have her moved back in to our house.”