Page 72 of Justice for JoElla

“Oh, hahaha,” Brandon threw back. “Brandon the asshole.”

“Yep. Brandon the asshole. And I think on that note, I’m going. You’re looking pretty good for a guy who had no blood in him a few days ago. JoElla, try to make him behave. I know it’s an uphill battle, so I’m wishing you all the luck I can.”

JoElla chuckled. “Thanks. I’m gonna need it.”

“Bye. Behave yourself and this time, if she tells you to do something, do it. And if she tells you to not do something, don’t. Please?” Landon was grinning from the doorway.

Brandon flagged his free hand at Landon. “Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

“Spoken like a true Fox. Later.” The firefighter disappeared from the doorway and the room was quiet once more.

JoElla simply held his hand and he lay there, quiet and still. They sat like that for a good while and then, out of the blue, he said, “Stand up here. I can’t see you.” JoElla stood and leaned on the bedrail, twisting her torso so her face was within his view. He took his hand from hers, lifted both hands, and held her face in his palms. “I thought I’d lost you. I thought you were gone.”

“Honestly,IthoughtI’dlostyou. I didn’t think you were going to make it.”

“I’m not that easy to get rid of.”

She frowned. “Stop joking around. I’m being serious here.”

“Okay, okay.” Still holding her face, he looked up into her eyes. “I meant what I said. I love you, JoElla. You don’t have to love me back, but I do love you. And I’d do this all again if it meant you’d be fine.”

“I know. I understand that now. I’ve never had anybody put themselves on the line for me like that. Never.” Lifting her hand, she gripped the back of his as it rested on her cheek. “I’ve never met anybody like you before. And yes. I do love you. I didn’t even know what that meant until I met you. You have to get better. I’m not finished torturing you yet with my wit and charm,” she said, grinning.

“And I’ve got to get a place to live. I can’t keep staying at Landon and Jerrica’s, and your place is a shit hole.”

“Oh, my place is a shit hole? Well, at least I’m not living with my brother!”

“I dunno. If you had a brother, you might be,” Brandon pointed out.

“Well, when you get out of here, do you want to come back to my shit hole with me?”

“Yes. I’d like that. Are we always going to pick at each other this way?” Brandon asked with a laugh.

JoElla laughed too. “I certainly hope so!”

“Me too. It’s our own special type of affection. I love you, dumbass.”

“I love you too, dumbass.”

* * *

“You’re a damn doctor.I shouldn’t have to lecture you.”

“Haven’t you ever heard that doctors make the worst patients?”

JoElla scowled. “I had, but I never really understood it until you came here and, damn it, you’re pretty much unmanageable.”

“Unmanageable. I’ve never been described that way before, but I kinda like it.” There was a knock at the door, and Brandon tried to get up from the sofa.

“Oh, no. I’ll get it. You stay right there and get ready for that marathon you think you’re going to be running this weekend.” JoElla yanked the door open to find a teenage boy standing there. “Yeah?”

“Is my dad here?”

“Are you William?”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

“Then yes?your dad is here. Come on in.” She watched as the teenager took in his surroundings and waited to see if he wrinkled up his nose in disgust. To his credit, he did not.

---