Page 37 of Vain
A tentative knock at the door has us turning toward it once more.
When it opens, and Matilda pokes her head in, wearing her glasses and hat again, Wade stands. “I need to get going now that I have your statement, Kellen. I’ll come visit when you’re back home.”
“Bring the wife. If I’ve gotta put up with your ugly mug, at least bring me something pretty to look at.”
“Carry on, and you’ll never get to leave the ICU,” Wade warns him, walking toward Matilda with his hand out. “Hi, Matilda, right? I’m Wade. It’s nice to meet you. My kiddo is obsessed with your witch movie.”
She grins at him. “Your kid has good taste. I’m awesome.”
He laughs as he takes a step back and ushers her inside. “Take care of yourself, or at the very least, let this guy take care of you.”
“That’s the plan. Oh…um…do you know the social worker I’d need to talk to about Zoe?”
I stand up and walk over to her, needing to touch her after not being able to for the last hour or so.
“I can get you her details. I’ll send them to Aiden.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m not trying to be a dick when I say this, but I just want to remind you that Zoe’s been through a lot. Don’t get her hopes up about something if you’ll break her heart in the process.”
“You don’t know me, so I won’t take offense, but I have zero interest in hurting that little girl.”
He nods before I can choke him out and leaves.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good. How’s your friend?” She turns and then jolts when she realizes he’s awake.
“Hi.” She offers him a shy wave as Kellen drags his eyes over Matilda, a grin breaking out over his face.
“Damn, Aiden, you really do bring me the best presents.”
Chapter Sixteen
MATILDA
It has to be said that Kellen knows exactly how to push people’s buttons, but I’ve been around enough people to know when it’s a defense mechanism. With how much tragedy he’s endured, it’s not surprising that he’s used to keeping people at arm’s length.
“I like Aiden’s hands, so I’d hate for him to hurt them by punching you,” I warn him as I feel Aiden tense beside me.
Aiden relaxes while Kellen looks at me with something akin to respect in his eyes.
“So you’re the famous Matilda Carson?”
I take off my hat and glasses, shaking out my hair in an advertisement-worthy move. “And you’re the infamous Kellen, friend and all-round pain in the ass?”
“I see my reputation precedes me.” He grins, but I can see how utterly exhausted he looks. The lines of pain bracketing his eyes and mouth tell me he’s hurting a lot more than he’s letting on.
“Well, how about you be a good friend and go to sleep so I can make out with your boy here without an audience?”
“I thought actresses like audiences?” he teases, but he lies back down, his eyes slipping closed.
“What can I say? I’m shy.”
“Just making out, right? I don’t want to miss the good stuff.” His words are slurred as he fights a losing battle with consciousness.
“Just making out,” I promise as he falls asleep with a smile on his face.
