Page 81 of A Second Chance At Forever

“How is he?” Dane asked.

“He’s going to be okay. He should be released in a few days.”

Walking through the hospital, my body was numb. I couldn’t believe what had happened and I was so frustrated by it all, that I think my body just shut down.

Dane wrapped his arm around my neck and led me toward the doors leading to the parking lot. “He’s going to be okay, Lennox. I know my brother, he won’t give up that easy.”

Sarah and Tent got in their car and drove away leaving Alissa, Dane, and myself standing in the parking lot.

“Looks like I will be staying with you girls.” Dane winked at Alissa as we all climbed into Dane’s car.

He dropped us back at the bar to retrieve our rental car. I couldn’t help but look at the shop. What was left of it, anyway. It was still smoking, half the structure had fallen and the rest was black and charred. I couldn’t look any longer.

“Can you drive? I can’t concentrate on anything right now.” I handed Alissa the keys.

“Sure.” She took them and climbed into the car.

I took one last look at the shop before getting in. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, just needing to escape reality in any way I could. I didn’t like to think of Mason being stuck in a hospital because of me.

The day’s events wore on me, mentally and physically. I jumped awake when I felt the car shut off. “Did I fall asleep?”

“Yeah, didn’t take you long.” Alissa pulled the keys from the ignition and stepped out just as Dane parked beside us.

I let us into the house and headed straight for the stairs. “I think I’m just going to shower and go to bed.”

I collapsed on the floor of the shower.

The day felt surreal, I couldn’t believe what my life had turned into. Everything was a mess and Mason was lying in a hospital bed. Once the water began to run cold, I pulled myself out and wrapped a towel around me.

I pulled on one of Mason’s shirts and climbed into his bed, alone. His smell was all around me and it helped to ease my racing thoughts.

The next threedays flew by in a flash, I spent my days in the hospital with Mason until they kicked me out. I came home, showered and went to bed. I wasn’t in the mood to eat or to talk to anyone but Mason. I had noticed Alissa and Dane seemed to bond over their time together and as happy as I was that they had found each other again, it made me jealous to be around them when Mason was still in the hospital.

Finally, on the fourth day, Mason was released. His smoke inhalation wasn’t as bad as they had predicted and his body reacted well to the medication. When Mason saw me walk into his hospital room, a big smile broke out and he was finally able to kiss me since they had removed the mask.

The moment our lips touched, every hair on my body stood on end. My knees felt weak as everything else fell away. I was consumed with him. His heat, his smell, his heartbeat that I could feel pounding against his chest, he was everything.

I had been so worried about him but there he was, kissing me with so much passion that even a fire couldn’t stop.

“I’m so glad you get to come home today. I don’t like your bed if you’re not in it.” I stared up into his ice-blue eyes and a shiver ran down my spine.

“I can’t wait to get you alone,” Mason whispered in my ear.

“Hey, the doctor said to take it easy, remember?”

“I will take it easy, you can do all the work.” He gave me his cocky smile.

My cheeks heated up and I felt the red creep up my face.

“I love when your cheeks turn that color.” His ice-blue eyes lingered over my heated skin.

I couldn’t keep away the smile that spread across my face. “Let’s go.” I took his hand in mine and tugged him in the direction of the door.

The nurses insisted on wheeling Mason out in a wheelchair, which he did not approve of. Once they told him it was the only way he would be leaving, he finally gave up and sat down. I walked beside him quietly laughing.

“Shut up, asshole.” He glared at me.

It only made me laugh harder. “You’re acting like a child.” I pointed out.

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