through the silence. “I should’ve seen the car coming.” I walked closer, resting a hand on the metal bed rail. “Sounded to me like you didn’t have time.” He shook his head once. “That’s not true. I saw it. I froze.” His voice cracked like something fragile and furious. “He pushed me out of the way, El. I didn’t even warn him. He just . . . reacted.” I moved around the bed and sat beside him. “You’re alive,” I whispered. “That means something.” Hayes dragged a hand through his hair. “Not if he loses his leg because of me.”
