Page 71 of Dirty Pucking Tease

"Any news, Doc?" Robert asked.

"All of her tests are normal." Dr. Torres shrugged. "I'm going to schedule another CT scan for this afternoon to check brain activity, but if it's still normal, we just have to wait."

"Is there a chance she won't wake up?" Trystan asked, pushing off the couch. "It's been three days; at what point do we get concerned that she's not going to wake up?"

He asked the question I'd been wondering but was too scared to ask.

"There's no reason she's not awake," Dr Torres explained. "Typically, with brain injuries, I would say the longer they are asleep, the less likely they are to wake, but this case is so rare." He forced a polite, sympathetic smile. "Let's talk again after her CT scan."

Trystan nodded, and the doctor left.

"Jax," Robert said, pushing out of his chair. "You should go home and get some sleep. I'll stay with her."

"No, I'm fine." I shook my head, sliding my hand into Kaia's.

"Jax," Trystan said. "You need a shower, man. You stink. Let me take you home, and we'll come right back after you get a little sleep."

I shook my head again, avoiding eye contact. "No. Syn is bringing me some clothes, and I'll shower here. I'm not leaving."

"Okay." Trystan sighed, pushing off the counter he was leaning on. "I'll be back in an hour, and I'll bring you some food."

I nodded. "Take Cam with you," I said, shifting in my seat. "She's been here for three days. She needs a break."

"So do you," Trystan said. I shook my head. I wasn't leaving. He rolled his eyes. "I'll see if she'll go with me."

Trystan left, leaving me alone with Robert. My gaze shifted up to Kaia, and my chest tightened. I hated seeing her like this.

"Is everything okay, Jax?" Robert asked, sinking into his chair across from me. "I know you and Kaia are close, but..." He trailed off.

Robert didn't know it, but he'd opened the door, and if I didn't take the opportunity now, I never would. It was now or never.

"I'm in love with her." My eyes shifted to meet his as my heart pounded in my chest. "Like really in love with her." His brows lifted, but he didn't look incredibly surprised. "It's my fault she's here. I talked her into skating again, and I'm terrified I'm going to lose her before I have the chance to tell her that I am in love with her."

"Okay," he interrupted me. "First, Kaia is going to wake up." He leaned forward. "Second, this isn't your fault. I'm glad you encouraged her to get back into skating because it is something she loves. This was an accident." Swallowing hard, I nodded. "Does Kaia love you back? And who is the man in the lobby that hasn't left?"

"She did." I blew out a heavy sigh. "And that's Alex. He's..." I paused. "I don't know what he is, maybe her boyfriend."

"Sounds complicated."

"It wasn't until I made it that way." My gaze shifted back to Kaia. "I was scared you and Mom would be angry. I was scared of how society would look at us. I was scared of ending up like my parents."

Pursing his lips, he nodded. "I can't tell you how society will look at you, but I don't think it matters as long as you're happy. Your mom already guessed something was going on. I was skeptical, but it was obvious when I saw the way you looked at her. I knew if you weren't together yet, it was only a matter of time because you look at her like I look at your mom."

I threw everything away to protect a secret that wasn't even a secret. I was so stupid.

"So, you guys don't care?"

"Jax, you and Kaia are adults. You're not blood siblings, but I'm not sure society will see it that way, and that is something you'll have to figure out how to deal with."

I nodded. "If she'll even take me back."

"I truly believe in the saying, what's meant to be will be." I'd freaked out about nothing. I still feared love and what happened when love faded, but there was no way I would let that stand in my way anymore.

"As far as what happened between your mom and dad," he said. "I know you kids got pulled through the mud in that divorce, but you can't let that stop you from living your life." He was right, and I wasn't going to let my fear of what might be ruin my life anymore.

I opened my mouth to respond but snapped it shut when the door pushed open, and Syn and Harlow pushed through.

"Here," Syn said, shoving a black bag at me. "Please go get a shower."

---