Page 14 of Ryker

“They said that Ryker was pushing you too much too soon.Your body and your mind couldn’t handle it.They gave you something to make you sleep and to numb the pain in your head.You suffered a brain trauma, and you’re not going to be one hundred percent for a little while.The doctor came by and said you may experience headaches off and on for a while, and that pushing yourself too hard can trigger intense pain.Once you’re released, if you black out, I’m supposed to call an ambulance.”

“Home?”I asked, wanting to leave the hospital as soon as possible.

“They want to keep you here a little while longer.Make sure everything is okay.When they’re convinced you can stand, walk, and take care of yourself, they’ll release you.They also want to run some more tests, make sure everything looks okay.But I’m going to be with you every step of the way.Torch said he won’t call me in for anything except emergencies until you’re back on your feet, and the Prospects are all ready to help any way they can.”

“Ryker,” I said again, wondering where he was.He’d left the hospital, but had he left town too?

“We’ll talk about Ryker when you’re feeling better.Right now, you focus on getting better.I don’t think talking about him is going to help your brain any right now.He’s obviously a trigger for you, and the more upset you get, the longer you’ll likely have to stay here.And I know how much you hate hospitals.”

Flicker brushed a kiss against my forehead.I could see the care and concern in his eyes, and I hated that I’d worried him.He’d always been there for me, ever since I landed on his doorstep, homeless and without family.He hadn’t so much as hesitated to take me into his home, into his life, and I would be forever grateful to him for that.I loved him, and I was so glad he was here with me.

“When you’re better, the others will come see you,” Flicker said.“Isabella and Ridley have asked nonstop how you’re doing.Everyone at the compound misses you.”

“Miss them,” I said.And I did.The Dixie Reapers had become my family, and I knew they would always be there for me.It was like having a bunch of big brothers, and while that drove me nuts when it came to dating, I knew I could count on every single one of them.

“Get some rest, Laken.I’m not going anywhere.Anything you need, I’ll get it.Just get better, because I hate seeing you in this hospital bed with all these wires attached to you.Love you, baby sis.”

“Love you,” I murmured as my eyes started to close again.

I briefly wondered if I was going to spend the next few weeks sleeping nonstop, or if I’d ever stay awake for any length of time ever again.I hated being here, hated that I’d been injured.And it was even worse that everyone was worried about me.My brother was right.I needed to focus on getting better, and getting out of this place.I didn’t like being here any more than he liked it.I’d do whatever they told me to, and soon enough I could deal with Ryker.Just as soon as I figured out what exactly he meant to me, or if I meant anything at all to him.Other than being an incubator for his offspring, a baby he hadn’t even wanted.

But I could think about all of that later.Right now I needed to sleep, to heal.And to take care of the little one growing inside me.I was no longer only responsible for myself.All of my actions, and the consequences, would now impact a little baby.A son or daughter who would rely on me for everything.Someone I could love, who would love me in return.

I placed a hand over my belly, vowing to do everything I could to give them a happy and healthy life.Even if that meant it was a life without Ryker.

* * *

One Month Later

I glared at my brother as he handed me a plate with apple slices and cheese, then he set a glass of milk on the table next to me.He’d thrown out all my favorite junk foods and soda before I’d gotten home from the hospital, and had given everyone strict instructions that I was to have healthy foods and drinks only.I knew he meant well, but he was killing me.

“You know cookies aren’t good for the baby,” he said, urging me to take a bite of the snack he’d provided.

I angrily bit into a chunk of apple and chewed, my gaze casting daggers at him the entire time.He didn’t even look a little bit remorseful.He was mothering and smothering me.I’d only been home from the hospital for a few weeks, after they’d made sure all the swelling was gone in my brain and had checked me over thoroughly.My ribs were no longer sore, but I still got headaches periodically.They weren’t as bad as they were when I first came home, though, so that was an improvement.I’d honestly take any small victory I could at this point.

I hadn’t seen Ryker since the first time I’d woken at the hospital.At first, I figured he was keeping away because the hospital had banned him from ICU.Then I’d moved to a regular room, and he still hadn’t come to see me.When I came home the following week, I’d looked for him, and waited.A day had passed.Then two.Then three.When Ryker still didn’t show up, I’d asked him about him, and been informed that he was no longer here.

It hurt.So damn much.I shouldn’t have been surprised, though.He probably had time to think about the daddy thing and decided it wasn’t for him.It wasn’t like he’d loved me.He didn’t seem like the type who would ever fall in love and settle down, but that didn’t stop my heart from aching at the thought of never seeing him again.One day, my baby would ask about their daddy, and I wasn’t yet certain what I’d say.The truth, or some degree of it, but only enough that it wouldn’t hurt my son or daughter until they were old enough to better understand what had happened.The last thing I wanted was for my baby to think their daddy didn’t want them.

“Are you sure you want me to go with you to your appointment?”Flicker asked.

I set the plate down and twisted to face him.“Do you not want to go?You can always stay in the waiting room.”

“It’s not that.I just thought you might prefer having a woman back there with you, like Isabella or Ridley.”

“You’re my family, Danny,” I said, using his real name, or the version of it I liked to use.His real name was Daniel, which he hated.“There’s no one I’d rather have hold my hand through all this than you.”

He smiled softly.“Love you, Laken.”

“Love you too.”

“I know living with me hasn’t always been easy.I know you’ve felt like I’m too controlling, and maybe I have been, but I’ve only wanted to keep you safe.I can’t help but think if I’d done something differently, then none of this would have happened.”

“Danny, I know things didn’t work out with Ryker, but I can’t regret being with him.This baby may not have been planned, but I’m going to be an awesome mom, and I’m going to love him or her with all my heart.I could never wish my baby away, even to avoid the heartache Ryker caused.”

Flicker sighed.“You’ve grown up so much.I’m proud of you, Laken.Really damn proud.”

“I’m a little scared, though.I don’t have a job, and it’s not right to ask you to pay for everything.Babies are expensive.”

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