Page 106 of Hooked
“Pain killer,” the nurse said. “You’re going to need them until tomorrow at least. After that, you can probably switch to over-the-counter.”
“Okay.”
His mother waited until the nurse had left the room. “Cary also said you were climbing without ropes or anchors. You told me you didn’t do that, Jeremy.”
“I was bouldering about ten feet off the ground, Mom. If I hadn’t been surprised by a mountain lion, I’d have been fine.”
“And did you have bear spray?”
“Cary had some, but we didn’t need it.”
His dad sat in the chair opposite the bed and stretched his legs out. “Good thing that Dave guy has a good rock-throwing arm. I’d have brought my shotgun.”
Jeremy frowned. “On a climb?” He sipped from a cup of water that Tayla held out. “Thanks. When did you get here? You weren’t supposed to be back until tomorrow.”
“Seriously?” She gave him angry eyes. “My boyfriend breaks his arm, partially dislocates his shoulder, has to have surgery, but you think I’m gonna wait until tomorrow to head home?”
He was still a little loopy. So was his grin. “I like it when you call me your boyfriend.”
Her cheeks went red. “Well, you’re the first man to have the title, so congratulations.”
“Only man to have the title,” he muttered. He was so tired. He closed his eyes and felt his head drifting. “Did you bring a bag?”
“It’s in the car.” She smoothed a hand over his cheek. “If you’re tired, sleep. I’ll stay here.”
“You met my parents without me.”
She brushed a thumb back and forth over his cheek. “No, you were there. You were just unconscious.”
“They know about you,” he muttered. “Told them all about you.”
Her voice was soft. “Yeah, I heard.”
“You going to stay?”
“Didn’t I tell you I brought my bag?”
“So cute.” He turned his face into her hand and closed his eyes. “Love you, Tay.”
Love you,Tay.
Her breath caught. She’d known it. How could she not know it? Every move he made spoke his love to her. Every sweet, supportive encouragement. Every tender kiss.
Her eyes filled with tears. She looked up at Jeremy’s parents and wiped her eyes. “Sorry.”
Jeremy’s mom, Patricia, was crying too. “Don’t be sorry.”
Tayla cleared her throat. “I don’t think anyone has said that to me before. Except my best friend, Emmie. She has.”
“Oh, Tayla.” Patricia walked over and enveloped her in a hard hug. “I don’t understand how that could be, but I know you must be a wonderful person if Jeremy loves you. He’s a good judge of character.”
She sniffed and hugged Patricia back with one arm. The other one stayed on Jeremy’s cheek. She didn’t want to let go of him. Not even for a minute.
“Did he tell you I got this job offer in San Francisco?”
Doug said, “Yeah. He was excited for you, but…”
“I’m gonna figure out a way to make it work,” Tayla said. “A wise woman once told me that if the world isn’t giving you what you want, then you have to make the world your bitch.” She froze. “I probably shouldn’t have said that in front of you.”
