Page 52 of Always My Comfort

It was silent for a long time. A nurse came by and checked my vitals, confirming that I should be awake soon, even though with every passing second, I was being lulled back to sleep.

“I love her,” Jaxon mumbled, and immediately, I forced myself to listen.

“I know. Who wouldn’t?” Scarlett whispered.

“I’m goin’ to marry her,” he spoke again, ignoring Scarlett’s jab.

“Good. She wants something small—just your family and me, of course. Oh, and Matt. We can’t forget him now.” She was rambling like an idiot, but I loved her for it.

“And I’m going to find her a damn house with lots of land and a waterfront view.”

“Ah, you’ve seen her list. She’s had that list since her mom died, and every year on her mom’s anniversary, she swears it’ll never come true.” I hated how much she was sharing with Jaxon.

I wished she’d shut her damn mouth and keep some of our secrets.

“I’m goin’ to make that entire list come true, but first, I have to fix this mess and hope they let me play tomorrow.”

The game!

“You’re a good man, Jaxon, I’m glad she’s knocked up with your baby. Otherwise, she would have been too chicken to come and find you again.” Jaxon chuckled, and I swore I flushed about fifty shades of red.

“I can’t wait to meet our boy,” he said, and Scarlett gasped. I hadn’t told her yet.

“It’s a boy! Oh, I can’t wait!” she squealed. I wanted to smother her with a damn pillow. Didn’t she know my head was pounding?

“Pretend to be excited when she tells you, okay?” Jaxon was nervous as he asked her, but she agreed and then started rattling on about all the cute names we should name our son.

* * *

When I opened my eyes,sunlight was streaming into the white room. Jaxon was asleep, his head about to roll off the side of the bed, his body slumped over in the hard, plastic chair.

Our hands were still intertwined together.

A nurse came in, and she checked everything, letting me know I had a major attack, and they had to sedate me. She went on about the baby and how he was perfect, and then, she glanced at Jaxon.

“That man sure does love you.” I let my eyes drop to him—his messy hair, ashen skin, and rumpled clothes—and my heart soared.

“I know. He’s very special.”

She left, and I let my finger slide into his hair, massaging his scalp. He woke slowly, his eyes blinking and focusing. Then, he jolted upright.

“You’re awake!” He rubbed the sleep out of his eye with one hand. I was pretty sure I fell completely in love with him in that moment.

“You’ve got practice, cowboy. You can’t miss it. It’s game day,” I whispered. He kissed the palm of my hand that cupped his face.

“Nothin’ is more important than you. How are you feelin’?” He reached for my face, tracing my lips, and I forgot how to speak.

What are words?

“Better,” I finally managed, and he grinned.

“Good because I’ve got some people to burn today, and I need my girl healthy.”

His girl.

“When can we go home? I hate it here.” He nodded and stood. I immediately missed the loss of his touch as he stretched.

“Give me a few minutes to get you discharged. You’re right. I hate this place, too. And you look better in my bed.” He winked at my blush and sauntered out of the room, like our world didn’t explode last night, like we didn’t have enemies, like everything was just fine and dandy.

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