“We’ve been talking about that,” he told his parents with a self-deprecating chuckle. “Saying that I’m fine when I’m not isn’t going to fly anymore.”

“Nice work,” his mom said to me, turning to wrap an arm around my waist as I stood next to her. She gave me a squeeze. “That always drove me crazy. He never admits when he’s upset.”

I smiled wanly. I hadn’t heard Alex’s memory of the accident yet, and I was disappointed that I’d interrupted him telling his parents.

“I didn’t even realize what had happened,” I finally said, continuing when he stayed silent. “I just remember getting to Hailey’s house and then riding to the hospital in the ambulance. Alex nearly broke the paramedic’s arm when he gave me an IV.”

“Did they get there pretty quick?” Dan asked, leaning his elbows on the counter.

“I don’t know,” Alex said, shaking his head. “Felt like it took hours, but it must’ve been only a few minutes.”

“Can’t imagine,” Dan murmured.

“They got her out of the car,” Alex said, his voice cracking. “And there was so much blood.” He stopped speaking and shook his head. Clearing his throat, he looked at me. “I knew before we ever got to the hospital.”

I swallowed hard. I hadn’t known that. I hadn’t been aware of anything beyond my splitting headache and throbbing wrist. It was only later that I’d known that something bigger was wrong.

“Oh, son,” Liz said as her arm tightened around my waist. “I’m so sorry that this happened to you two.”

When Dan started unpacking the food boxes, I stepped out of Liz’s hold and went to help him.

“How’re you doing, sweetheart?” he asked quietly as Alex left the room.

“Not great,” I said truthfully, glancing over at him.

“Admitting it is half the battle,” he said kindly, reaching out to gently squeeze the fingers poking out the end of my cast. “Then you can start healing.”

I nodded, blinking away the tears that threatened.

“I’m real sorry,” he murmured. “Real sorry.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He nodded as Alex came back into the room.

“Hey, baby,” he said, a shy smile on his face. “I thought since your hand is in that cast…” He lifted his arm, and I started crying when I saw the chopsticks I’d rigged for him the first time we met.

“You kept them?” I asked incredulously.

“Of course,” he whispered, pulling me into his arms.

I let the tears fall as he held me tightly against his chest, swaying slightly from side to side. When they finally started to wane, I felt Liz’s hand on my back.

“Food’s getting cold,” she said gently, kissing the back of my head with motherly affection that almost had me in tears again. “Let’s eat, huh?”