Free Last Chance: A Second Chances Novel by L. P. Dover Page B

reined in my anger and decided to let it go. When she woke up, I had no doubt of her decision. For the first time in my life, I had to be the bigger man and keep my mouth shut. Lara would’ve been proud of me.
    Her hand was cold, so I kissed it and covered it with both of mine. “Come on, cupcake. I need you to wake up.” I needed to know she was mine for good.

Two Weeks Later
    A s much as I hated the new arrangement, I had to stick by it. Summer was in charge of Lara’s health and she felt it necessary to make a schedule to keep Grayson and me apart. Apparently, she felt the tension between us was unhealthy for Lara, who hadn’t even woken up since the accident. I had a race coming up in a week, so whenever I wasn’t at the hospital, I was on the track. I had to do something to keep my mind off everything.
    The doctors said Lara’s vitals were good, and that sleeping was just her body’s way of healing. I had to believe that was true, even though deep down I felt like something was wrong. I was so afraid I wouldn’t be there when she woke up, that it’d be Grayson’s face she saw first. I wanted her to know I never wanted to leave her side.
    Lara looked a lot better, her face wasn’t blue and swollen anymore. She was herself again, only she wasn’t awake. The doctor’s had removed the bandage on her head, her blonde hair fanned out across the pillow. Summer brushed her hair every day and I did it as well, including putting lotion on her skin. The doctor said talking wouldn’t hurt, so for hours each day, I sat there and talked to her. Mostly about all the things I couldn’t wait to do with her. We had a whole life ahead of us, and I couldn’t wait to get started. If only she’d wake up.
    “Knock, knock,” Evan said, tapping on the door.
    I glanced over my shoulder. “Hey, man. Long time no see.”
    Chuckling, he sat down on Lara’s other side. “Been busy at the restaurant. With Summer’s visiting schedule, I keep missing you. Plus, I know you’ve been training. How’s it going with that?”
    I shrugged. “Okay, I guess. I’ve been riding better, which is good. But I can’t stop thinking about Lara. At least, my trainer is happier with me.”
    “That’s good. Are you excited about the race next week?”
    It was hard to be excited about anything with Lara in her condition. “I’m ready to win it,” I said. “But I was hoping Lara would be with me. I know that’s stupid though. Even if she wakes up, she won’t have the strength to go.”
    He winked. “I’ll make sure she watches it on TV.”
    “Thanks,” I laughed. “Has Grayson said anything to Summer about Lara breaking it off with him?”
    His smile faded. “Not yet.”
    “What the hell is he waiting on? I can see the look on Summer’s face every time I’m here. I know we’re on good terms, but she hates I’m taking up time that Grayson could be here. She needs to know that I have more right to be here than him.”
    With a heavy sigh, he nodded. “And I agree, but he knows that when she wakes up, it’ll all be over. I feel for the guy.”
    I snorted. “Believe me, I’m impatiently waiting for that very day.” My time was coming to a close, and I knew any minute Grayson would be walking through the door. It turned out it wasn’t just him, but Summer as well.
    “Hey, sunshine,” Evan called.
    She kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around his neck, her saddened gaze on Lara. “What are you doing here?” she asked him.
    He pointed at me. “Thought I’d come by and see him. Hadn’t seen him much the past two weeks.”
    “Neither have I. You doing okay?” she asked with a smile.
    I shrugged. “No, but I will be once Lara wakes up.”
    “Won’t we all,” she mentioned sadly.
    Everyone focused on me and I knew that was my cue to go. Grayson’s scowl was getting old, and I couldn’t wait for the day I could punch it off his face. Leaning over, I kissed Lara on the cheek. “I love you,” I murmured, about to