Page 147 of Bloom: Part 2

“I know. But he’s a fighter, Crowe. He won’t give up just like that.”

Crowe inhaled sharply and took a step back. “You’re right. He’ll be fine. Just needs to rest. Doesn’t matter what the doctors say.”

“What do you mean? What did they say?”

He shook his head. “I won’t repeat it. He will be okay. How’s your doc?”

“Doing good. Jamie is taking a look at his arm.”

“Good.” He scratched the back of his head and grimaced. “I may have punched him earlier.”

“He told me.”

“What else did he say?”

“That I shouldn’t hold it against you. It’s rough for you with Max being here.”

“I’m still hurt that you would have left us all behind.”

“I didn’t want to, but we ran out of options.”

“And now?”

“His uncle is dead, and you have Simms. We plan to make Smoky Vale our home. We’ll postpone the wedding for now out of respect for Max and what you’re going through.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I do. Max has been like a brother to me since after our fight that one time.”

Crowe chuckled. “God, that feels like so long ago when you two fought over me.”

“Yeah. I should find Logan. He should be in the waiting room by now.”

“Okay. I’ll stay here a while longer. And if Winter calls you, don’t tell him about this.”

“No?”

“He’s been through enough, and he is finally healing. Let him be.”

More than likely Crowe was worried Winter would leave rehab just to be there for him.

“I understand.”

“Max would love to know you are here. He thinks of you like a little brother, you know.”

“I know. If you need anything, I can take over for you and make Simms scream.”

“No, I got it. Everything he feels will be because of me.”

I nodded. “Okay. I better get find Logan.”

“Okay.”

I squeezed his shoulder, then walked to the door, hating myself for leaving him alone but knowing he needed the time to compose himself. At the door, I stopped with my hand on the knob and glanced back.

“Crowe.”

“Hmm?”

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