Page 16 of Tell Me You Love Me Again

“You did,” he chuckled. “The shit was funny too, because she thought she looked like new money. I could tell that she missed my money more than she actually missed me,” he replied.

“I take it you love to spoil your women?”

“Woman, and I do.” He gave me an intense stare that made me feel a little self-conscience. Here I was sitting in a hospital bed with a plain jogger set on and he was looking at me like I was the most beautiful woman he has ever laid his eyes on.

Knock…Knock

The sound of someone knocking on the door and entering the room broke us away from the staring battle that we were having amongst ourselves.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Hastings. Are you ready to go home?” Dr. Kwon asked once he entered my room.

“I guess so,” I answered honestly.

“Your apprehension is normal. In a sense, you’re entering the unknown. I’m positive that Mr. Hastings here will make sure that you’re as comfortable as possible. Isn’t that right, Mr. Hastings?” He turned his attention to Gabe, who had his attention on me.

“You’re absolutely correct,” he stated.

“Great. Mrs. Hastings, here are your discharge papers and your follow-up instructions. We were able to get in touch with your primary doctor and they have already set your appointment. All that information is in the folder. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office. Do you have any questions for me now?” he asked.

“No, not that I can think of,” I responded. He nodded and handed the papers that were in his hands over to me before exiting the room.

“You’re ready to get out of this place?” Gabe asked.

“I am,” I replied just as a nurse came in with a wheelchair. Gabe helped me into the chair and the nurse rolled me out of the room and onto the elevator while he carried our personal belongings. When we got outside, he told the nurse to wait with me at the door while he went and got his car. I wasn’t expecting to see the huge burgundy Tahoe pull up in front of me. I remember him saying that he owned a trucking company with his brother, so they must’ve been doing well for themselves.

I watched as he got out and came and helped me out of the chair and into the truck. I could walk perfectly fine, but it was hospital procedure, and he wasn’t hearing it either. After helping me up and buckling me in, he shut the door and rounded the front of the truck back to the driver’s side before getting back in.

“You’re okay? Do I need to let the seat back or up further for you?” he asked.

“No, I’m fine.” His response was just a smile and nod. This man was fine as hell, and I was kicking my own ass because I couldn’t remember what life was like with him before my accident.

We rode the first couple of minutes in silence outside of the music playing on the radio.

“How long will it take to get home?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“Almost two hours, depending on traffic. I can usually break it down by thirty minutes if the roads are clear,” he revealed.

“I guess that what makes you a pretty good truck driver, huh?”

“You could say that. It’s straight interstate, though, so it’s a smooth ride.” I nodded and turned my head toward the window.

“You want to stop and get something to eat before we make it home?”

“No, I’ll be fine. I’m still full from the breakfast this morning.” He nodded and continued to navigate us through the steady traffic.

***

I didn’t remember falling asleep, but I was now being woken out of my slumber by Gabe’s deep voice.

“Snook, we’re home,” his voice rumbled. Slowly, I opened my eyes and sat up. We were parked in front of a nice townhome. I looked around and noticed that the other houses looked the same. There was a burgundy pickup truck in the driveway, so I knew that had to be his, too.

After getting out, he once again rounded the front of the truck and came over to my side to help me out.

“Thank you.”

“No problem, Snook. Let’s get you inside and comfortable.” We walked through the front door, and it immediately felt familiar, but nothing was registering. I walked around the living room area and noticed that there were candles placed on the coffee table. I smiled because the scent was familiar.

“You recognize anything?” I heard him ask from behind me.

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