Page 89 of Unraveled Love

I sipped a few chunks off the spoon she shoved near my mouth and ate them, and damn, that was good. “More.” I took as much as I needed, keeping my eyes on Addi with every bite and every cold chill sliding down my throat.

When I could clear my throat without feeling like someone was sliding nails down it, I took the spoon away and tossed it to the floor. I slid the cup from her hand with my good one and dumped it into my mouth.

“I’m going to be okay, honey. Doctors said. Jaxon said. I’m okay.”

“I know, but I was so scared.” Her chin shook and more tears fell, and hell, I couldn’t reach up and comfort her. I could only lie there like an asshole and watch her cry. “There were so many men…so much blood…”

“But we made it and you’re safe, and that’s all that matters.”

She blew out a breath, wisps of her hair flying every which way. “I’m so glad you’re going to be okay.”

“Me too, honey. Come here and lie with me.”

She shook her head and scooted back, putting more space between us. “There’s no way. There are so many wires and tubes hooked to you and your sling and your stitches.”

“Hey.” I gripped her hand, brought it to my mouth, and kissed it. “Settle, honey. I’m here. I’m good. You’re safe. Nothing else matters.”

“I thought I’d lost you,” she cried, holding on to my arm and then falling forward. She burrowed into the crook of my neck, and I inhaled her coconut scent and brushed my lips to the top of her head. “I was so scared. And you just…passed out on me, and I couldn’t stop the bleeding.”

Her whole body shook with pain and fear and sadness, and fuck I hated that I couldn’t do anything, couldn’t move, and I was still too damn sleepy and too damn drugged to think of anything to tell her to make her feel better except repeating that I was okay.

So I said the words I could while she cried tears of relief and fear, and I held her to me as best as I could, kissing her temple and her cheeks and brushing my lips over them when I could reach her.

For the moment, I let that be enough. But soon, I’d have her in this bed with me, curled next to me, and soon after that, I’d have us back home, together, where we belonged.

* * *

The third timeI woke was even better. Sunlight shone in through open windows, hues of orange and pink telling me it was either very early or late. Jaxon and Addi were sitting in chairs, Addi next to my bed with her hand on the side rail, resting on top of mine. Jaxon was by the television, one booted foot kicked over his other knee, eyes on the news talking about the weather.

“Hey.” I squeezed Addi’s hand.

Her return smile almost blinded me. Her tears were gone, and she looked freshly showered with a small amount of makeup.

“You’re gorgeous.”

She huffed a laugh. “That’s because the drugs are making you loopy.”

At least she was joking. So much better than the tears. Next to her, Jaxon’s lips kicked up at the corners.

“What time is it?” I asked and cleared my throat. “Or what day?”

“It’s six in the morning. You slept all night. Feeling better?”

“A little. Must be some good morphine.”

She laughed; it was soft and lyrical and sent a soft thump of warmth through my body.

I was going to be okay, and all of this was over for Addi.

It made getting shot worth it.

* * *

I was finishing eatingthe soup and applesauce the hospital brought for dinner when Jaxon walked in carrying three Starbucks coffees in a container and a paper sack from Jimmy John’s. It was Addi’s lunch, which she’d requested when he said he was going to go get food for her. We hadn’t talked about much. Mostly, I was trying to give Addi some time to not think about anything too serious, but as Jaxon handed me my coffee and I thanked him, I realized Addi wouldn’t leave this room until I was cleared to go home, so there was no avoiding it.

“Are you going to tell me what happened? What’s going on now?”

Addi straightened in her chair and hugged her cup with both hands. Her face paled, and she bit her bottom lip.

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