Read Online The Effects of Falling (The Weight of Rain Duet Book 2) by Mariah Dietz - Free Book Online Page A

another.
    “That’s what they’re hoping for.”
    “You can do it.”
    “I’ve been through a whole hell of a lot worse. I have no doubt this will be a cakewalk in comparison.”
    Compared to his loss of Arianna or living with that loss every day? I don’t ask, knowing the answer is likely both.
    “Anything good on TV?” I ask, leaning closer to his side as I look at the screen Mercedes was watching when we came in.
    “It’s the middle of the day. There’s only shit on at this time.”
    “Maybe they have a movie channel.”
    “They don’t,” Mercedes says, reappearing with Lo behind her, a small paper sack clutched to her side with an elbow.
    “That was too fast of a trip to sneak me in something good.” Robert also eyes the bag with curiosity.
    “We asked,” Mercedes says as she unceremoniously plops beside Robert. Her ease with him is clear as she kicks her feet up. It’s apparent she won’t accept considering him in a fragile state even though he cringes from her pulling on his IV tube. “You can’t eat anything other than what the hospital gives you until you meet with a nutritionist and have been released.”
    “Discharged,” Lo corrects.
    But Mercedes doesn’t turn to her; she simply grabs the remote and flips through several channels.
     

 
    “ T HREE DAYS?” LO whispers from the other side of Mercedes.
    King made us reservations at a hotel close to the hospital where they only had king sized-beds available. He reserved two adjoining rooms, but Mercedes was reluctant to make a decision on who she would stay with, so we are all in one bed with her passed out in the middle.
    I’m relieved to hear the shock in Lo’s voice. I’ve never watched Mercedes for so long by myself. If we were at home, I could take her riding, we could binge on Netflix, or we could maybe take a trip to the beach or something.
    “Did I mention we’re going to Universal Studios once we hear everything’s okay with Robert’s surgery?”
    Propping herself up on an elbow, she peers over at me. “We are?”
    “I thought we’d surprise Mercedes.”
    “You think she’ll be okay with being away from the hospital for a full day?”
    I didn’t even consider that, only thinking about how much I didn’t want her to endure time at the hospital any longer.
    “Robert wants us to.” I know this without a doubt. Still, as seconds tick by, I question if I made the right decision. “Do you think we shouldn’t go?” I ask quietly. Rarely do I ask for an opinion from someone other than Kash, but more and more, I’ve found myself seeking Lo’s.
    “No, I think you’re right. We’ll be there tomorrow and she can see him once he’s out of surgery to ensure everything went smoothly, and then we can celebrate while he rests.”
    “And hits on the nurses.”
    “Ew! Stop!” Lo whispers, her voice pitched.
    “What are you? Five? He doesn’t have cooties.”
    Lo shakes her head. “I like to think of him as being completely platonic with everyone he meets.”
    “Mercedes is right. You are weird.”
    “You’re wearing Kash’s underwear, and I’m the weird one?” Lo accuses too loudly.
    “I’m not wearing Kash’s underwear,” I hiss.
    “Those aren’t shorts. I totally saw the gape in your crotch when you bent over. I’m glad you wear underwear with those.”
    “Don’t get shy on me now, Crosby. I’ve already shown you my goods.”
    She laughs. “Were you able to reach Kash?”
    I’d prefer to focus on my boxers again. Anytime someone learns I like to sleep in them, they always ask why. I’d choose to discuss nearly anything rather than consider why I couldn’t reach Kash earlier. He had messaged me shortly after the nurse came in and discussed the details of the surgery and the schedule for tomorrow, and once I relayed the information to him, he vanished.
    “No. Could you reach King?”
    “No. I think they must have gone up to the other cabin, and lost reception.”
    Mercedes breathes a loud sigh and