Page 4 of Crazy in Love

He looked down at his body, attempting to assess the damage.

“Two bullets. One came in from the side, bypassing your vest, and lodged near your heart. Surgeons took that one out through your side. They didn’t have to crack you open, so that’s good. The other plowed straight through your leg, taking a good chunk of muscle. It’ll be tough to walk for a while.”

He locked eyes with her and raised his eyebrows.

“A few months at least,” she said, answering his unspoken question of when he’d be better. “You have to stay here for like a week, and then you’ll need someone to take care of you for a few more weeks after that.”

“Jackie?”

Tess looked around. “Um, I don’t know about that.” She shrugged. “I thought Mom said you guys broke up.”

“Oh, right.” Nick grunted. Jackie had left him. In quite a huff, if he remembered correctly. Something about him only caring about his job and not making time for her. Even if she was willing, he couldn’t ask her to nurse him back to health. The reasons she’d dumped him would still be there after he healed.

“Unless you have a better plan, Mom and Dad are set to take you home to recuperate,” Tess said.

“Has my boss come by?”

“He was here right after you and the others came in. Said he’d stop by later,” she said. “You think he’ll be able to help?”

He wanted to shrug but couldn’t make his shoulders work. His whole body felt heavy, like he was in quicksand. “Tell them to ease off the pain meds. I can barely feel my extremities.”

She nodded. “Okay. You need anything else?”

“Sleep.” It must be the drugs making him so tired. He wanted information. Wanted to figure out how and when he could return to work, but later. The last thing he remembered before drifting off was Tess gripping his hand.

When he woke again, the throbbing in his chest told him Tess had talked to the doctor about the pain medicine. Perhaps he’d been too hasty on that request.

This time, his older sister Kendra was on watch. “What time is it?” And after a second. “Hell, what day is it?”

Kendra chuckled. “It’s three o’clock, the fifth of August. You’ve been here for two and a half days, sleeping through most of it.”

“Mom and Dad go home?”

“No. They got a hotel in town. They stayed with you all night and are catching some z’s now. Tess went to your place to check on things—collect the mail and water the plants. She’s probably still there if you want something.”

“Ask her to bring my book, will ya? It’s on the nightstand.”

“Okay.” Kendra took out her phone and shot off a text. “You and your books. I’ve never met anyone who reads so much.”

“You need to meet more people then,” he said. A tall, tan man in a white coat entered, and his sister perked up, smoothing her hair and smiling.

“How are you feeling?” the doctor asked.

“Okay, I guess,” Nick grumbled. “When can I leave?”

“We’ll see. Maybe a week.” He barely looked up from the chart he was scanning. “Call the nurse if you need anything. I’ll check in again soon.”

“He seems useless,” Nick said once the doctor had cleared the room.

“Useless, but hot,” Kendra said, still staring at the door. “Let me know if you want me to relay any messages.”

Even rolling his eyes hurt, so he closed them. “Actually, could you ask him for a little more pain medication?”

“On it.” She jumped up, slapped on some lipstick, and was gone.

Nick nodded off and woke again when Tess came in, setting a big bag on a chair.

“Kendra says I’ve been here for two days. Have you been here this whole time?” Nick asked.

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