Rose

I sit in the waiting area for patients in surgery with my head on Ryder's shoulder and my hand on his lap. My leg bounces uncontrollably and my heart still beats fast in my chest.

Please don't die.

Please.

Ryder brings his hand over mine and I turn mine over, grabbing his and squeezing it tight.

I never realized how sincere he was. After his whole act faded, I guessed his feelings were apart of it, but he...

Fuck.

"I really hope he's okay. I don't want someone to die because of me, Ryder. That's the reason I left, the reason I stayed here, and the reason I told you what I did on the phone that day. Ryder, I'm scared and I fucking hate this." I whisper, staring into space.

"Rose, its not your fault. I understand why he did it and no matter what you could've done, this still would've happened. That's just how caring deeply for someone works."

I nod.

"It still sucks that he's in there. I should be instead."

"If he didn't take that bullet, I would've. This is my fault for not keeping my guard up. I'll fix this. When he comes out alive, we'll thank him."

If.

"Besides, you did get hurt. How's your arm?"

The bullet hit me in my triceps.

"It didn't hit anything important so I'm good. We just have to wait and see if Caleb will be good."

Another hour goes by, of Ryder comforting me and keeping me stable.

The doors of the surgery room open slowly and they pull out an unconscious Caleb. We just up and meet them as they go.

"Is he okay?" My hands tremble.

"Yes, he'll be fine. The bullet pierced his lung and if you had wasted any more time, we wouldn't be able to save him, but luckily you got here on time. We drained the blood out of his lung and patched him up. He should rest a lot in the next few months, not doing any serious exercise. Ok?" The doctor says, while throwing away her gloves and head mask.

"Of course, we'll take good care of him." I say, nodding frantically.

She gives us a smile and walks off.

I turn to Ryder, jumping into his arms. He catches me and spins me around. I beam, and thank someone, probably God, a hundred times in my mind.

Ryder sets me down and I feel my knees buckle from the force of the relief. He scoops me up, princess style and looks down at me with a grin.

"He's fine, Ryder. He's actually fine." I bury my head in his chest and squeal.

"You wanna see him?"

"Yeah, let's go."

He puts me down and I grab his hand, giddy all the way to Caleb's door. I slightly open it, seeing Caleb passed out on the bed.

"What do we do? He's asleep." I ask, looking back at Ryder.

"He should wake up pretty soon. Let's wait."

I nod and we file in, as I take the seat on the bedside and Ryder stands behind me.

Caleb's kind of long hair, lies to the side, seeming wet almost, and his face is ashy.

"I'm really glad you made it, Caleb. Thank you for saving my life. I'll pay you back, I promise."

Ryder puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes.

"Do...you mean it?" Caleb croaks from the bed.

"Caleb! Are you supposed to be awake right now?" I ask.

He tries to laugh, but holds his chest in pain.

"Don't do anything, just rest." I suggest.

"If I knew...taking a bullet for you...would make you care about me, I would've done it a long time ago." He tries to grin.

"Stop saying stupid shit. It must be whatever they put under. Just rest, we'll come another day."

"No... wait, I just wanted to ask you... if you forgive me...for-" I cut him short.

"Yeah, I do. You were your dad's puppet and the way he raised you was to be just that, so I can't blame you. Sleep, okay?"

"Ryder... I'm sorry for lying to...you guys too." Caleb croaks, as his eyelids begin closing.

"You saved Rose's life. Come back to the gang anytime. Ethan and Lucas are waiting for you too." Ryder looks at Caleb hard, meaning every word.

Caleb smiles and a tear drops from his eyes and slides down his cheek as he succumbs to the drugs.

"I know you care about him just as much as me. He was a brother to you, right?" I say, getting up.

"He is, again now. Even if it wasn't real, the years we spent fighting together were fun, and I'm glad he didn't die. I dont trust him like I did before but we'll work on it." Ryder watches his old friend on the bed.

"Yeah." I grab his hand and lead us outside the room.

"Let's go to the hotel, the boys are waiting to see you. All of them."

"I don't think Ethan likes me. He didn't even listen to me about keeping you in America." I give Ryder the side eye.

"I couldn't let them sell you to Caleb, and it doesn't matter how Ethan feels about you. He's not important right now." Ryder pouts as we step into the elevator.

"What's important then?" I smirk.

Ryder gives me a look, then pushes me up against the wall to my left. He puts his hand above my head and slips his other arm around my waist, pulling me close. His face sits inches away from mine and my eyes switch from his lips and his stare.

I grin. I missed this.

"I haven't seen you for 2 weeks. If this hadn't had happened to Caleb, I don't know how I would've controlled myself around you. I'm what's important right now. Since Caleb is fine, you can stop worrying about him. I want to be your focus." He looks into my eyes intensely and leans in.

I bring my arms up slowly, putting each of them on either side of his neck. I let my fingers brush his nape and draw him in closer to me.

"You're jealous?" I whisper.

"No, I just want your eyes on me now. It's my turn. I've waited long enough. I need you."

I glance at the elevator level. 6.

"Aw, that's cute. So what do you want?" Down to 4.

"You. Your lips. Kiss me." He breathes a bit heavier, leaning in. Down to 1.

I meet his eyes again and smirk.

"Gladly."

He pushes his lips against mine, but I quickly pull away and grab his hand, as the elevator dings open and a group of people walk in. I drag him out and look back at his disappointed expression.

"Let's finish this at the hotel."

Ryder freezes and stares at me wide-eyed.

"What...?" He asks, dumbfounded.

"After I say hi to the guys, we'll see what happens." I open the hospital doors and let Ryder lead us to the car.

He takes a deep breath and nods, falling into a daze.

I chuckle.

We reach the car and Ryder pulls me in, lower his mouth to my ear.

"You better not be playing with me, Rose." He mumbles.

I look up at him with innocent eyes, and spin out his grip.

"I'm not."

_________________________________________

2.47M

6/28/19

The next chap is on it's way. I've been on a roll. Go check out my other book 'Psycho love' it's about two crazy people in love. If you like Rose. Imagine her as the MC in Psycho love, Cynthia, but her personality is on 1000% plus crazy.

Plus oooooooo rose?

Thanks for reading love yall.

Ciao.