Page 45 of Cru's Crush
“Bit’s going along,” I said, throwing a leg over after she nodded.
On the way back, I thought about how I’d address my mother not telling Trevino about Maddox’s accident. If I were him, I’d be just as hurt as he looked.
Truthfully, there was no reason for either Daphne or Bit to go with me to the hospital other than I wanted her with me, and my brother needed validation that he was an integral part of our family.
The other thing I’d need to address was the kiss she and I had almost shared. I’d spent most of my adult life fantasizing about Daphne. Of course I’d imagined what sex would be like, but my yearning was for things as simple as holding her hand, her head resting on myshoulder, and how it would feel when our mouths, lips, and tongues finally touched.
The times when she and Beau were “on again” were the worst. My best friend wasn’t opposed to PDA, and there were only so many excuses I could come up with to walk away or find someone else to talk to so I didn’t have to watch them together.
Still, I hadn’t been able to keep myself from sneaking glances at them. It didn’t matter that, each and every time, I felt like I was being ripped in two.
We rode up to the stables, and when I dismounted, I realized Daphne was studying me.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stick around here?” she asked.
“I want you with me, Daph.”
We’d increased security on the ranch after what had happened with Trevino and my mother, but the scariest thing was how fail-safe we’d believed it already was then. I wanted Daphne to feel safe here, comfortable, so how could I explain that I had to be with her and keep her close enough that if she faced any kind of harm I could keep it from happening?
As we led the horses into the barn, I felt the weight of her unasked questions—things I knew we’d have to discuss soon. First, though, we needed to get to the hospital and find out what was happening with Maddox.
We were on our way out, headed to the house, when Trev pulled up. “I can drive,” he offered. I opened the front passenger door for Daphne, unable to stop myself from leaning closer when she got in and taking in her scent. If only my ma had waited a few more seconds, I’d know her taste too.
Alex rushedover when we met her in the emergency room waiting area. “He broke three ribs and has a collapsed lung. They’re removing the air from the pleural space now,” she said.
“Have you spoken to Cristobal?” I asked. Our brother was a medical doctor but had chosen to go into genetic research rather than a traditional practice.
“Yes,” she snapped.
I raised a brow. “And?”
“You know how he is. Cris said it isn’t a big deal and they’ll probably let him go tonight or tomorrow.”
I pulled my sister into a hug. “What did the doctor say?”
“Same thing.” Alex wiped her tears on my shirt—something she’d done since she was a kid.
“There isn’t anything they can do for broken ribs,” said Trevino. I hadn’t realized he’d come in after insisting on letting Daphne and me out while he parked the car. “Not a lot for a collapsed lung either. The lung will repair itself once the extra air is out of the pleural area.”
I released Alex, hoping she’d rush to our brother like she had with me.
“Trev, thank God you’re here,” she said, doing exactly as I’d prayed.
He embraced her tentatively at first, but when she tightened her hold, he did too.
I glanced around for Daphne and retreated in her direction when I saw her waiting a few feet behind him.
“Did you hear?” I asked.
“Collapsed lung and broken ribs,” she murmured. “Your brother was right when he said Maddox would likely be released tonight or in the morning.”
“Mrs. Butler?” I heard someone say from behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw Alex had approached the nurse who’d said it.
“We’re going to keep your husband here for a couple of hours to monitor his breathing,” she said.
“When can I see him?”
“Right now,” the woman responded.
