Page 35 of Reaper's Rival

“I want a shower.” Abby put her arm out.

“We wouldn’t really recommend you standing on your own yet.” The nurse wrote down the numbers. “You will be wobbly on your feet. It’s been a while since you have been on them. But if you really want one, I can get another nurse and we can help you.” The nurse was polite and was one of the few I had time for. She also didn’t frown every time she saw me in here.

“I can do it myself.” Abby rested her arm back down.

The nurse opened her mouth, but Kim cut her off.

“I’ll help her.”

“I don’t need help.” Abby grumbled. “And where are my clothes? The hospital grown is disgusting. It has blood on it.”

“Well. your bandages are waterproof. But I don’t feel comfortable with you having a shower by yourself. I can get you a new gown.”

“Kim, you call your dad and tell him to go back and get her clothes. And I’ll help her shower.” I settled the debate and the nurse nodded her head, seeming happy with that idea.

Abby’s eyes flashed to mine and I saw panic in them.

Kim got up and left to make the call, and the nurse followed, leaving Abby and I alone. I swear she had become a mute as soon as they left.

She was staring down at our hands. Finally, she spoke. “When did you find out?”

“About?” I leaned forward and lifted her head up. Her deep blue eyes were filled with worry. “What’s wrong?”

“You don’t like responsibility.” She stated it like a fact. Like it wasn’t up for questioning. “A baby is the biggest form of commitment you can have. You never agreed to that, so I understand.”

“You understand what?”

“You should go.” She pulled her hand from mine.

“Abby, what the fuck are you doing?” What was she getting at? Did she think I was about to turn my back on her and my kid? After everything, her and that kid was the only thing keeping me sane. Did she honestly not expect me to stay?

She was the only woman I had ever loved, and she was carrying that baby that I put in there. Me. That was my kid.

“You don’t owe me anything,” she said with pain in her eyes. “You should go before Dad gets here and makes you stay.”

I got up in such a rush I sent the chair flying backward and my hands clamped down, cupping her face. Making her look at me.

“I’m not going anywhere. Ever. You hear me, Abby? You’re mine. You and this kid. Nothing comes before and as far as I’m concerned, nothing comes close to you two. So stop pushing me away.”

“But you hate responsibility.” Her eyes swelled up with tears. “I don’t want you to regret this, and I want you to know I’m not holding you to anything.”

She could say what she wanted, but I wasn’t turning my back on her. Not now. Not ever.

Her and this kid. That was all that mattered to me. As far as I was concerned, my life revolved around them.

I never thought I would get lucky enough to have her, let alone have a child with her.

I wiped her tears away. “I’m not leaving you, Abby.”

“But-”

I silenced her with my lips. Kissing her. I had worried I would never be able to kiss her again. And now I had the chance, I was greedy and wanted more, but she was weak.

“Now that that is settled, how about that shower?”

She stared back at me and I was half expecting her to give me another excuse. But she didn’t. She nodded her head.

Chapter 10

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