Page 65 of The Return
Jonas took his seat again and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “He said that he was grateful to us for giving you a home. Watching you, always being on the outside looking in, was hard for him, because he couldn’t do anything about it. When the two of you came here and Corey said he wanted you both as pack, the smile he saw on your face was worth everything to him.”
“It—It was?”
“Yeah. And to know that he could finally be open about his feelings was even better. He loves you, and he’s going to show you by getting better.”
A man in white scrubs came out of a door marked Surgery. He wore a grim expression that spoke of exhaustion. “Mr. Garrison?”
Matt squeezed my hand hard. “Yes?”
The doctor breathed out, and Matt relaxed slightly. “I’m Doctor Weber. We’ve moved Mr. Huxley to recovery. The procedure was a success. Admittedly, it was mostly because Mr. Huxley seems to have such a strong will, but I’d like to think our surgical staff had something to do with it.” He smiled, and it was nice. Definitely warm and caring. “So, yes, he’s going to be fine. In fact, if you’d like, I can take you in to see him. I doubt he’ll be coming out from under anesthesia for a while, but it never hurts to have family around.”
“Yes, please,” Matt whimpered.
He clutched my hand tight as we followed the doctor. He led us through the maze of stark-white corridors, the scent of antiseptic strong in my nose. When we got to the room, Matt was a bundle of nerves. He stroked a hand over his hair, but the cowlick bounced back.
“Do I look okay?”
“Perfect,” I told him, doing my best to give him an encouraging smile.
We entered the room, and Kinsey lay there, tubes and wires attached to every part of his body. Matt gasped, and I pulled him into a hug.
“It’s okay. They’re just being cautious.”
Matt nodded and went to stand at the side of the bed.
“Don’t stay too long. He needs rest for his body to continue healing,” the doctor told us.
“Yes, sir. Thank you,” Matt said, not sparing the man a glance. The only one he could see was Kinsey. As soon as the door closed, Matt leaned in and brushed a kiss over Kinsey’s forehead. “You missed my lips,” Kinsey croaked, his voice brittle.
“Kinsey…,” Matt bawled, as he clutched the bed rail so tight, his fingers were nearly white.
“You’re okay, right?” he asked, opening his eyes and staring up at Matt.
“I’m….” Matt shook his head harshly, his hair swishing. “No, I’m not. I was so scared. I thought I was going to lose you.”
“Never happen. I made you a promise remember? I’ll always be by your side.”
Matt looked as though he was about to break down, and he’d shed enough tears today. I couldn’t have that anymore. “Kinsey?” I called. “You’re fired.”
He didn’t stop staring at Matt when he said, “Can’t fire me. I quit. I have someone who needs me more than you do.”
“But he has to have a bodyguard,” Matt protested.
“I have one,” I assured him. “Jonas will do the job just fine.”
“You need him more, Matt.”
“But the Council….”
“Can go suck lemons,” I said. “You’re our pack now, and they have nothing to say about how we conduct our business.” I turned to Jonas. “They don’t, right?”
He grinned at me. “As long as our people are happy, no. Matt? Are you happy?”
The tears I worried about came then. “Yes, so much. Thank you both.”
“So will you marry me?” Kinsey whispered.
“In a heartbeat.”
