Page 73 of Inflame Me
RHYS HOLDS ME as we wait for word on Dagger, my father, a man I really know nothing about. That is something that is going to change as soon as he’s out of here. Hell, while he’s in here. I’ll start when I see him. There’s no way in hell I want to go the rest of my life having a father and not knowing anything about him: what his favorite food is or color—anything.
My mom is much better now that the doctor has come out. She was trembling there for a bit and starting to scare me. Now she smiles, and the worry lines have softened a bit. Ma sits next to her as they chat. I’m happy for her. She really didn’t have many “girlfriends” back home. She needs this.
I look around at all the people who obviously love and care for my father, and my heart swells. I’ve only ever had my mother, and seeing, watching, talking to everyone makes this a little easier.
“Mr. Wagner?” a woman in scrubs says, her eyes growing wide as she looks at the paper. “I mean, Mr. Dagger’s family.” She finally looks up. She doesn’t even bat an eye to all of us coming toward her, as if she was warned. Wonder if it told her on the paper.
“Mrs. Dagger?” she asks my mother who nods. “He is still a bit out of it, but you may go back and see him.”
“And my daughter?” Mom says, turning to me.
The nurse’s gaze hits mine. “It’s only supposed to be one, but if one of you leaves pretty quickly, then I’ll allow it.”
I nod in agreement. I just want to see him physically and know that he’s still here on the planet with us.
Rhys kisses my forehead, and then I grab Mom’s hand before walking to see my father.
The room is filled with beeping machines making all kinds of different pitched noises. He has tubes coming out of one of his arms, the other in a cast against his chest. Wires come out of every place on his body. His bandana is gone, but his hair is still in its long braid. He has an oxygen mask over his lips and is breathing slowly in and out. The side of his face has bandages on it.
My mother gives me a soft squeeze as the nurse leads us closer.
“Remember, only a few minutes,” the nurse tells us, and I nod.
Mom touches Dagger’s leg in the one spot that looks like he isn’t covered with some type of bandage. Knowing I only have a few minutes, I move to his side.
I lean down and kiss the top of his head gently. “Get better, Dad,” I whisper. I then hug Mom and leave the room, tears stinging my eyes. I don’t wait; I barge directly into Rhys, and he takes all of my weight as I sob into his shirt.
AFTER A QUICK NAP, we head back up to the hospital. Dagger is doing well, and the docs say his brain is good. I have to disagree with that, but he’s better.
As I enter his room, Dagger’s eyes lock on mine. This is the first chance I’ve had to come in and see him since everything happened. From his set eyes and the anger pouring out of them, I know we need to have a small chat alone.
After Tanner and her father talk for a while, I tell her I need to talk with him. She eyes me suspiciously yet leaves the room. Then I take the chair next to the bed.
“What’s going on, brother?”
“I’m alive,” he says. “I need you to find Flash. Bitch fucking tore up my house. I mean, there’s nothing left! Make sure she understands.” He gives me a knowing look and then surprises me. “Give her cash and make sure she stays the fuck away. If she doesn’t, then it’s the end.” He’s letting some bitch trash his shit and letting her off?
I nod my head. “You’ve got it.”
“If anything happens to me, you’re in charge of my girls. You take care of them.” I nod, not letting the shock register. “I mean it. If I don’t make it through something, you make sure they are cared for.” Damn him.
“Got it.”
He turns and looks up at the ceiling for a long time.
I break the silence. “You’re out of here tomorrow. I know you have to take it easy, but you’re coming to the clubhouse so we can celebrate.”
“All right.”
TANNER LIES UNDER me, her eyes full of fresh tears. I just came so hard I saw fucking stars behind my eyes, and she did, too, so why is she crying?
“What’s wrong?”
“I love you,” she whispers.
The heart that I don’t deserve to have, especially after how I made Flash go away earlier today, opens wide for this woman.
Tanner’s eyes are shining, and I can feel it deep in my soul. I know I’ve fucked up more times than I can count, but I’m taking this and fucking running with it.
